Background: Dicer is a ribonuclease required for microRNA biogenesis. Results: The two related Dicer enzymes from the thermophilic fungus Sporotrichum thermophile have distinct functions in RNA processing. Conclusion: The helicase domains from each Dicer define the RNA substrate specificity and have distinct RNA binding and ATP hydrolytic activities. Significance: A regulatory function for the helicase domain is conserved from fungi to humans.
Brr2 is a member of the DExD/H family of RNA-dependent ATPases that unwinds the extensively base paired U4/U6 snRNAs during pre-mRNA splicing. This reaction is stimulated by the C-terminus of another spliceosomal protein, Prp8. Prp8 has been shown to bind between Brr2's tandem repeat of
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.