Finding the missing code of RNA recognition by PUF proteins

Abstract

Pumilio and FBF homology (PUF) proteins represent highly promising candidates for engineering sequence-specific RNA recognition, but were only known to recognize G, A, and U, significantly limiting applications. Two groups (Filipovska et al., 2011; Dong et al., 2011) have now reported the discovery of the cytosine-recognition code for PUF proteins.

FIGURE1

RNA recognition by PUF proteins. Shown here is the crystal structure of an engineered PUF domain in complex with target RNA containing cytosine (2YJY.pdb; Dong et al., 2011). On the left, the RNA recognition code of PUF repeats is illustrated.