The Arabidopsis ortholog of the 77kDa subunit of the cleavage stimulatory factor (AtCstF-77) involved in mRNA polyadenylation is an RNA-binding protein

Bell, Stephen A.; Hunt, Arthur G.

doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2010.03.007

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Volume 584, Issue 8 , Pages 1449-1454, 16 April 2010

The Arabidopsis ortholog of the 77kDa subunit of the cleavage stimulatory factor (AtCstF-77) involved in mRNA polyadenylation is an RNA-binding protein

Edited by Tamas Dalmay

University of Kentucky, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Physiology Program, 1405 Veterans Drive, 345 Plant Science Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0312, USA

Received 15 January 2010; received in revised form 23 February 2010; accepted 3 March 2010. published online 08 March 2010.

Abstract

The 77kDa subunit of the polyadenylation cleavage stimulation factor (CstF77) is important in messenger RNA 3′ end processing. Previously, we demonstrated that AtCstF77 interacts with AtCPSF30, the Arabidopsis ortholog of the 30kDa subunit of the Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor. In further dissecting this interaction, it was found that the C-terminus of AtCstF77 interacts with AtCPSF30. Remarkably, we also found that the C-terminal domain of AtCstF77 possesses RNA-binding ability. These studies therefore reveal AtCstF77 to be an RNA-binding protein, adding yet another RNA-binding activity to the plant polyadenylation complex. This raises interesting questions as to the means by which RNAs are recognized during mRNA 3′ end formation in plants.