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The mysterious RAMP proteins and their roles in small RNA-based immunity

Journal

PROTEIN SCIENCE
Volume 21, Issue 4, Pages 463-470

Publisher

WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/pro.2044

Keywords

RNA-mediated Immunity; RNA-binding proteins; RNA processing; RNA-protein interactions; CRISPR

Funding

  1. National Science Foundation [MCB-0817638]

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A new class of prokaryotic RNA binding proteins called Repeat Associated Mysterious Proteins (RAMPs), has recently been identified. These proteins play key roles in a novel type immunity in which the DNA of the host organism (e.g. a prokaryote) has sequence segments corresponding to the sequences of potential viral invaders. The sequences embedded in the host DNA confer immunity by directing selective destruction of the nucleic acid of the virus using an RNA-based strategy. In this viral defense mechanism, RAMP proteins have multiple functional roles including endoribonucleotic cleavage and ribonucleoprotein particle assembly. RAMPs contain the classical RNA recognition motif (RRM), often in tandem, and a conserved glycine-rich segment (G-loop) near the carboxyl terminus. However, unlike RRMs that bind single-stranded RNA using their beta-sheet surface, RAMPs make use of both sides of the RRM fold and interact with both single-stranded and structured RNA. The unique spatial arrangement of the two RRM folds, facilitated by a hallmark G-loop, is crucial to formation of a composite surface for recognition of specific RNA. Evidence for RNA-dependent oligomerization is also observed in some RAMP proteins that may serve as an important strategy to increase specificity.

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