RNA stabilization by a poly(A) tail 3′-end binding pocket and other modes of poly(A)-RNA interaction

Abstract

Poly(A) and RNA: More ways to interact One of the most conserved RNA modifications across organisms is the addition of a polyadenosine, or poly(A), tail to the 3′ end of RNA molecules. Cis-acting RNA stabilization elements, such as the triplex-forming element for nuclear expression (ENE), retard RNA decay, thereby controlling the maturation and abundance of cellular transcripts. Torabi et al. determined the high-resolution crystal structure of a double ENE complexed with 28-mer poly(A) to reveal new modes of the RNA-RNA interaction, including a pocket motif that protects the extreme 3′ end of the poly(A) tail. Discovery of such interactions opens new venues to better understanding poly(A) tail function in RNA biology. Science , this issue p. eabe6523