Abstract
Over the last five years Sm-like (Lsm) proteins have emerged as important players in many aspects of RNA metabolism, including splicing, nuclear RNA processing and messenger RNA decay. However, their precise function in these pathways remains somewhat obscure. In contrast, the role of the bacterial Lsm protein Hfq, which bears striking similarities in both structure and function to Lsm proteins, is much better characterized. In this perspective, we have highlighted several functions that Hfq shares with Lsm proteins and put forward hypotheses based on parallels between the two that might further the understanding of Lsm function.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
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Host Factor 1 Protein / chemistry
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Host Factor 1 Protein / metabolism*
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Molecular Chaperones / metabolism
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RNA Stability*
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
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RNA, Small Interfering
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RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
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RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / chemistry
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Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / metabolism*
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Virus Replication
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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Host Factor 1 Protein
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Molecular Chaperones
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Small Interfering
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear