D
IPR033133

Pumilio homology domain

InterPro entry
Short namePUM-HD
Overlapping
homologous
superfamilies
 
domain relationships

Description

Members of the Pumilio family of proteins (Puf) regulate translation and mRNA stability in a wide variety of eukaryotic organisms including mammals, flies, worms, slime mold, and yeast
[1]
. Pumilio family members are characterised by the presence of eight tandem copies of an imperfectly repeated 36 amino acids sequence motif, the Pumilio repeat, surrounded by a short N- and C-terminal conserved region. The eight repeats and the N- and C-terminal regions form the Pumilio homology domain (PUM-HD). The PUM-HD domain is a sequence-specific RNA binding domain. Several Puf members have been shown to bind specific RNA sequences mainly found in the 3' UTR of mRNA and repress their translation
[2]
. Frequently, Puf proteins function asymmetrically to create protein gradients, thus causing asymmetric cell division and regulating cell fate specification
[3]
.

Crystal structure of Pumilio repeats has been solved
[4]
. The PUM repeat with the N- and C-terminal regions pack together to form a right-handed superhelix that approximates a half doughnut structurally similar to the Armadillo (ARM) repeat proteins, beta-catenin and karyopherin alpha. The RNA binds the concave surface of the molecule, where each of the protein's eight repeats makes contacts with a different RNA base via three amino acid side chains at conserved positions
[5]
.

This entry represents the PUM-HD domain.

References

1.Translational repression: a duet of Nanos and Pumilio. Parisi M, Lin H. Curr. Biol. 10, R81-3, (2000). View articlePMID: 10662662

2.The PUF family of RNA-binding proteins: does evolutionarily conserved structure equal conserved function? Spassov DS, Jurecic R. IUBMB Life 55, 359-66, (2003). View articlePMID: 14584586

3.Pumilio is essential for function but not for distribution of the Drosophila abdominal determinant Nanos. Barker DD, Wang C, Moore J, Dickinson LK, Lehmann R. Genes Dev. 6, 2312-26, (1992). View articlePMID: 1459455

4.Crystal structure of a Pumilio homology domain. Wang X, Zamore PD, Hall TM. Mol. Cell 7, 855-65, (2001). View articlePMID: 11336708

5.Modular recognition of RNA by a human pumilio-homology domain. Wang X, McLachlan J, Zamore PD, Hall TM. Cell 110, 501-12, (2002). View articlePMID: 12202039

GO terms

biological process

  • None

molecular function

cellular component

  • None
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