Lifelong companions: RNA helicases and their roles in RNA metabolism

Abstract

The life of an RNA molecule is complicated. Once a newly synthesized eukaryotic RNA has emerged from the RNA polymerase in the nucleus, it will be processed, spliced, and exported into cytoplasm. In prokaryotes, transcribed RNA is synthesized directly in the cytoplasm. RNA molecules that serve as mRNAs have to be kept devoid of local structures that are inhibitory for ribosome scanning and translation. Quite differently, structural and catalytic RNAs have to adopt a defined three-dimensional conformation to exert their biological function, and may assemble with other protein and/or RNA partners into complex functional units. Ultimately, RNA degradation by the so-called degradosome will end the RNA's life.