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#tRNA processing

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

RNase D acts as

RNase D encoded by rnd gene in E. coli is hydrolytic 3' to 5' exonuclease requiring Mg2+ that digests single-stranded RNA from free 3' hydroxyl. It participates in final trimming of tRNA precursors, 5S rRNA, and other stable RNAs after initial endonucleolytic cuts. Unlike endonucleases RNase III, E and P which cut internally, RNase D nibbles one nucleotide at a time until stopped by stable secondary structure like acceptor stem. Its distributive action provides proofreading precision, preventing over-digestion and ensuring accurate mature ends.

Ref: Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 7th ed., Chapter 6, RNase D 3'-5' exonuclease family

RNase P functions in processing of

Primary conserved function of RNase P across bacteria, archaea and eukarya is 5' maturation of precursor tRNAs. tRNA genes produce longer precursors with 5' leader sequences that must be removed to create mature cloverleaf with correct acceptor stem length for aminoacylation. RNase P introduces precise endonucleolytic cut at leader-tRNA junction, leaving 5' phosphate. It also processes polycistronic operons, some rRNA precursors, and tmRNA, but tRNA processing defines its essential housekeeping role; mitochondrial human RNase P evolved to protein-only form MRPP complex yet retains same cleavage specificity.

Ref: Berg et al., Biochemistry, 9th ed., Chapter 32, RNase P function in 5' maturation of pre-tRNA