Size matters: conserved proteins function in length-dependent nuclear export of circular RNAs

Yao Wan; Anita K Hopper

doi:10.1101/gad.316216.118

Size matters: conserved proteins function in length-dependent nuclear export of circular RNAs

Genes Dev. 2018 May 1;32(9-10):600-601. doi: 10.1101/gad.316216.118.

Authors

Yao Wan^{1

2

3}, Anita K Hopper^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
² The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
³ Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) comprise a recently appreciated category of RNAs that are in high abundance and serve important biological functions. Although several discoveries have been made regarding the biogenesis and functions of circRNAs, their subcellular trafficking has remained largely unknown. In this issue of Genes & Development, Huang and colleagues (pp. 639-644) reported the first study of the nuclear export of circRNAs. Drosophila Hel25E and its human homologs, UAP56 and URH49, are required for nuclear export of circRNAs. Nuclear export of circRNAs is surprisingly length-dependent, and the length measurement mechanism was shown to be controlled by motifs in Hel25E and its homologs consisting of four amino acids.

Keywords: DDX39A; DDX39B; Hel25E; UAP56; URH49; circRNA.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Comment

MeSH terms

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
Amino Acids
DEAD-box RNA Helicases*
Humans
Protein Transport
RNA*

Substances

Amino Acids
RNA
DEAD-box RNA Helicases

Grants and funding

R01 GM122884/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States