Molecular mechanisms of template-independent RNA polymerization by tRNA nucleotidyltransferases

Kozo eTomita; Seisueke eYamashita

doi:10.3389/fgene.2014.00036

Frontiers in Genetics (Feb 2014)

Molecular mechanisms of template-independent RNA polymerization by tRNA nucleotidyltransferases

Kozo eTomita,
Seisueke eYamashita

Affiliations

Kozo eTomita: RNA Processing Research Group, Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Seisueke eYamashita: RNA Processing Research Group, Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2014.00036
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5

Abstract

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The universal 3'-terminal CCA sequence of tRNA is built and/or synthesized by the CCA-adding enzyme, CTP:(ATP) tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. This RNA polymerase has no nucleic acid template, but faithfully synthesizes the defined CCA sequence on the 3'-terminus of tRNA at one time, using CTP and ATP as substrates. The mystery of CCA-addition without a nucleic acid template by unique RNA polymerases has long fascinated researchers in the field of RNA enzymology. In this review, the mechanisms of RNA polymerization by the remarkable CCA-adding enzyme and its related enzymes are presented, based on their structural features.

Published in Frontiers in Genetics

ISSN: 1664-8021 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Genetics
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/genetics

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