The human but not the Xenopus RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 has an atypical nuclear localization signal and displays the characteristics of a shuttling protein.

ABSTRACT: The RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 (adenosine deaminase that acts on RNA) is a bona fide nuclear enzyme that has been cloned from several vertebrate species. Putative nuclear localization signals (NLSs) have been identified in the aminoterminal regions of both human and Xenopus ADAR1. Here we show that neither of these predicted NLSs is biologically active. Instead, we could identify a short basic region located upstream of the RNA-binding domains of Xenopus ADAR1 to be necessary and sufficient for nuclear import. In contrast, the homologous region in human ADAR1 does not display NLS activity. Instead, we could map an NLS in human ADAR1 that overlaps with its third double-stranded RNA-binding domain. Interestingly, the NLS activity displayed by this double-stranded RNA-binding domain does not de

SUBMITTER: Eckmann CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC55639 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature