Genome complexity: Splicosome (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, June 03, 2014, 14:47 (3612 days ago) @ David Turell

RNA and 4 proteins make up the splicosome, to edit for protein manufacture. I'm sure Romansh is not incredulous:-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140602150707.htm-"The spliceosome is composed of six complexes that work together to edit the raw messages that come from genes, cutting out (hence, splicing) unneeded parts of the message. Ultimately, these messages are translated into proteins, which do the work of cells. The team created crystals of a part of the spliceosome called U6, made of RNA and two proteins, including one called Prp24.
 
"Crystals are packed forms of a structure that allow scientists to capture three-dimensional images of the atoms and molecules within it. The crystals were so complete, and the resolution of the images so high, the scientists were able to see crucial details that otherwise would have been missed.
 
"The team found that in U6, the Prp24 protein and RNA -- like two partners holding hands -- are intimately linked together in a type of molecular symbiosis. The structure yields clues about the relationship and the relative ages of RNA and proteins, once thought to be much wider apart on an evolutionary time scale.
 
"What's so cool is the degree of co-evolution of RNA and protein," Brow says. "It's obvious RNA and protein had to be pretty close friends already to evolve like this." The images revealed that a part of Prp24 dives through a small loop in the U6 RNA, a finding that represents a major milestone on Brow and Butcher's quest to determine how U6's protein and RNA work together. It also confirms other findings Brow has made over the last two decades."