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Musing on the structural organization of the exosome complex

Nature Structural Biology volume 7, pages 843–846 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

The exosome complex of 3′→5′ exoribonucleases functions in both the precise processing of 3′ extended precursor molecules to mature stable RNAs and the complete degradation of other RNAs. Both processing and degradative activities of the exosome depend on additional cofactors, notably the putative RNA helicases Mtr4p and Ski2p. It is not known how these factors regulate exosome function or how the exosome distinguishes RNAs destined for processing events from substrates that are to be completely degraded. Here we review the available data concerning the modes of action of the exosome and relate these to possible structural arrangements for the complex. As no detailed structural data are yet available for the exosome complex, or any of its constituent enzymes, this discussion will rely heavily on rather speculative models.

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Figure 1: Models for the activation of the exosome.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank A. van Hoof and R. Parker for sharing data prior to publication. This work is funded by the Wellcome Trust.

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  1. Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, ICMB, University of Edinburgh, Kings' Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR, UK

    Philip Mitchell & David Tollervey

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  1. Philip Mitchell
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  2. David Tollervey
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Correspondence to Philip Mitchell or David Tollervey.

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Mitchell, P., Tollervey, D. Musing on the structural organization of the exosome complex. Nat Struct Mol Biol 7, 843–846 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/82817

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