Characterization of the mammalian RNA exonuclease 5/NEF-sp as a testis-specific nuclear 3' → 5' exoribonuclease.

ABSTRACT: Ribonucleases catalyze maturation of functional RNAs or mediate degradation of cellular transcripts, activities that are critical for gene expression control. Here we identify a previously uncharacterized mammalian nuclease family member NEF-sp (RNA exonuclease 5 [REXO5] or LOC81691) as a testis-specific factor. Recombinant human NEF-sp demonstrates a divalent metal ion-dependent 3' → 5' exoribonuclease activity. This activity is specific to single-stranded RNA substrates and is independent of their length. The presence of a 2'-O-methyl modification at the 3' end of the RNA substrate is inhibitory. Ectopically expressed NEF-sp localizes to the nucleolar/nuclear compartment in mammalian cell cultures and this is dependent on an amino-terminal nuclear localization signal. Finally, mic

SUBMITTER: Silva S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5558908 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature