Zinc Finger RNA-Binding Protein Zn72D Regulates ADAR-Mediated RNA Editing in Neurons

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107654
• Publication Date: 2020-05-19T14:50:29Z
• Authors: Anne L. Sapiro; Emily C. Freund; Lucas Restrepo; Huan-Huan Qiao; Amruta Bhate; Qin Li; Jian-Quan Ni; Timothy J. Mosca; Jin Billy Li
• Keywords: ADAR

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing, catalyzed by adenosine deaminase acting on (ADAR) enzymes, alters sequences from those encoded DNA. These editing events are dynamically regulated, but few trans regulators of ADARs known in vivo. Here, we screen RNA-binding proteins for roles regulation with knockdown experiments the Drosophila brain. We identify zinc-finger protein at 72D (Zn72D) as a regulator levels majority sites Zn72D both regulates ADAR and interacts an RNA-dependent fashion, similar to ADAR, is necessary maintain proper neuromuscular junction architecture fly mobility. Furthermore, Zn72D's regulatory role conserved because mammalian homolog Zn72D, Zfr, mouse primary neurons. The broad neurons sustains critically important events.