Eukaryotic stand-alone pseudouridine synthases - RNA modifying enzymes and emerging regulators of gene expression?

ABSTRACT: For a long time, eukaryotic stand-alone pseudouridine synthases (Pus enzymes) were neglected as non-essential enzymes adding seemingly simple modifications to tRNAs and small nuclear RNAs. Most studies were limited to the identification and initial characterization of the yeast Pus enzymes. However, recent transcriptome-wide mapping of pseudouridines in yeast and humans revealed pervasive modification of mRNAs and other non-coding RNAs by Pus enzymes which is dynamically regulated in response to cellular stress. Moreover, mutations in at least 2 genes encoding human Pus enzymes cause inherited diseases affecting muscle and brain function. Together, the recent findings suggest a broader-than-anticipated role of the Pus enzymes which are emerging as potential regulators of gene expression. I

SUBMITTER: Rintala-Dempsey AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5699540 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature