The La protein (lupus antigen) is a ubiquitous RNA-binding protein found in all human cells. It is mainly localized in the nucleus, associates with all RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcripts, as the first factor they interact with, and modulates subsequent processing events. Export of La to the cytoplasm has been reported to stimulate the decoding of specific cellular and viral mRNAs through IRES-dependent (Internal ribosome entry site) binding and translation. Using NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy, we provide atomic-level-resolution structural insights on the dynamical properties of human La (hLa) protein in solution. Moreover, using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), we provide evidence about the role and ligand specificity of the C-terminal domain of the La protein (RRM2 and C-terminal region) that could mediate the recognition of HCV-IRES.
Keywords: IRES; La; NMR; RNA virus; RNA-binding proteins; hepatitis C virus; lupus antigen.