Active Disruption of an RNA-Protein Interaction by a DExH/D RNA Helicase

• DOI: 10.1126/science.291.5501.121
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:53:24Z
• Authors: Eckhard Jankowsky; Christian H. Gross; Stewart Shuman; Anna Marie Pyle
• Keywords: Processivity; RNA Helicase A

All aspects of cellular RNA metabolism and the replication many viruses require DExH/D proteins that manipulate in a manner requires nucleoside triphosphates. Although have been shown to unwind purified duplexes, most molecules environment are complexed with proteins. It has therefore speculated may also affect RNA-protein interactions. We demonstrate DExH protein NPH-II from vaccinia virus can displace U1A an active adenosine triphosphate–dependent fashion. increases rate dissociation by more than three orders magnitude while retaining helicase processivity. This indicates effectively catalyze displacement thereby participate structural reorganization ribonucleoprotein assemblies.