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RNA is a highly versatile molecule that carries information both in primary sequence and in higher-order structural features. The structural information encoded in RNA enables more complex functions (including catalysis) and diverse recognition modes with other molecules. These structure-dependent activities present the opportunity for additional layers of regulation and, indeed, numerous classes of RNA remodeling proteins have been identified. We are particularly interested in the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases which play numerous critical roles in cellular RNA processing. We are using structural biology combined with RNA biochemistry to determine how this family of RNA remodelers regulates RNA processing.
In Ngo et al. 2019, we showed how the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX17 uses specialized structural features to recognize RNAs including primary microRNAs.
RNA structure elements can be remodeled by the helicase, to eventually alter processing of the microRNA.
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