Page last updated: 2024-10-24

RNA nuclease activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Catalysis of the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds in chains of RNA. [GOC:mah, ISBN:0198547684]

RNA nucleases are a diverse group of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of phosphodiester bonds within RNA molecules. This activity is essential for various cellular processes, including:

* **RNA processing:** RNA nucleases play a crucial role in the maturation of RNA transcripts, removing non-coding sequences (introns) and processing precursor molecules into functional forms. For example, the 5' cap and 3' poly(A) tail of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) are added by specific nucleases.
* **RNA degradation:** Nucleases are involved in the breakdown of RNA molecules that are no longer needed, such as damaged or misfolded transcripts. This degradation process is essential for maintaining the integrity of the transcriptome and preventing the accumulation of harmful RNA molecules.
* **Regulation of gene expression:** RNA nucleases can regulate gene expression by degrading specific transcripts or by modifying their stability. This regulation can occur at various levels, including transcription, translation, and RNA transport.
* **Viral defense:** In eukaryotes, RNA nucleases serve as an important line of defense against viral infection by degrading viral RNA molecules.
* **RNA interference (RNAi):** RNA nucleases are key components of the RNAi pathway, which is a powerful gene silencing mechanism. RNAi utilizes small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or microRNAs (miRNAs) to target and degrade specific mRNAs.

The mechanisms by which RNA nucleases cleave RNA molecules can vary depending on the specific enzyme. Some nucleases employ a hydrolytic mechanism, breaking the phosphodiester bond by adding a water molecule, while others utilize a metal-dependent mechanism that requires the presence of a metal ion, such as magnesium.

In summary, RNA nucleases are essential enzymes with diverse functions that are critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating gene expression.'
"

Proteins (5)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Ribonuclease TA ribonuclease T that is encoded in the genome of Escherichia coli K-12. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P30014]Escherichia coli K-12
Seminal ribonucleaseA protein that is a translation product of the SRN gene in cow. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P00669]Bos taurus (cattle)
2-5A-dependent ribonucleaseA 2-5A-dependent ribonuclease that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q05823]Homo sapiens (human)
Ribonuclease pancreaticA ribonuclease pancreatic that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P07998]Homo sapiens (human)
Ribonuclease H1A ribonuclease H1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:O60930]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (16)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
citric acid, anhydrouscitric acid : A tricarboxylic acid that is propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid bearing a hydroxy substituent at position 2. It is an important metabolite in the pathway of all aerobic organisms.

Citric Acid: A key intermediate in metabolism. It is an acid compound found in citrus fruits. The salts of citric acid (citrates) can be used as anticoagulants due to their calcium chelating ability.
tricarboxylic acidantimicrobial agent;
chelator;
food acidity regulator;
fundamental metabolite
aurintricarboxylic acidaurintricarboxylic acid : A member of the class of quinomethanes that is 3-methylidene-6-oxocyclohexa-1,4-diene-1-carboxylic acid in which the methylidene hydrogens are replaced by 4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenyl groups. The trisodium salt is the biological stain 'chrome violet CG' while the triammonium salt is 'aluminon'.

Aurintricarboxylic Acid: A dye which inhibits protein biosynthesis at the initial stages. The ammonium salt (aluminon) is a reagent for the colorimetric estimation of aluminum in water, foods, and tissues.
monohydroxybenzoic acid;
quinomethanes;
tricarboxylic acid
fluorochrome;
histological dye;
insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 antagonist
uridine diphosphateUridine Diphosphate: A uracil nucleotide containing a pyrophosphate group esterified to C5 of the sugar moiety.pyrimidine ribonucleoside 5'-diphosphate;
uridine 5'-phosphate
Escherichia coli metabolite;
mouse metabolite
cytidine monophosphatecytidine 5'-monophosphate : A pyrimidine ribonucleoside 5'-monophosphate having cytosine as the nucleobase.

Cytidine Monophosphate: Cytidine (dihydrogen phosphate). A cytosine nucleotide containing one phosphate group esterified to the sugar moiety in the 2', 3' or 5' position.
cytidine 5'-phosphate;
pyrimidine ribonucleoside 5'-monophosphate
Escherichia coli metabolite;
human metabolite;
mouse metabolite
dithionitrobenzoic aciddithionitrobenzoic acid : An organic disulfide that results from the formal oxidative dimerisation of 2-nitro-5-thiobenzoic acid. An indicator used to quantify the number or concentration of thiol groups.

Dithionitrobenzoic Acid: A standard reagent for the determination of reactive sulfhydryl groups by absorbance measurements. It is used primarily for the determination of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in proteins. The color produced is due to the formation of a thio anion, 3-carboxyl-4-nitrothiophenolate.
nitrobenzoic acid;
organic disulfide
indicator
butylparabenorganic molecular entity
3'-cmp3'-CMP : A cytidine 3'-phosphate compound with a monophosphate group at the 3'-position.cytidine 3'-phosphate;
pyrimidine ribonucleoside 3'-monophosphate
Escherichia coli metabolite;
metabolite;
mouse metabolite
beta-thujaplicinolbeta-thujaplicinol: inhibits ribonuclease H activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase; structure in first source
7-nitro-1h-indole-2-carboxylic acid7-nitro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid: acts on AP endonuclease, 3'-phosphodiesterase, and 3'-phosphatase activities of APE1; structure in first source
3'-uridylic acid3'-UMP : A pyrimidine ribonucleoside 3'-monophosphate having uracil as the nucleobase.

3'-uridylic acid: structure in first source; main heading URIDINE MONOPHOSPHATE refers to 5'-uridylic acid
pyrimidine ribonucleoside 3'-monophosphate;
uridine phosphate
Escherichia coli metabolite
3-hydroxy-quinazoline-2,4-dione3-hydroxy-quinazoline-2,4-dione: structure in first source
2-hydroxy-4h-isoquinoline-1,3-dione2-hydroxy-4H-isoquinoline-1,3-dione: structure in first source
nsc 727447NSC 727447: structure in first source
vitexinC-glycosyl compound;
trihydroxyflavone
antineoplastic agent;
EC 3.2.1.20 (alpha-glucosidase) inhibitor;
plant metabolite;
platelet aggregation inhibitor
hyperosidequercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside : A quercetin O-glycoside that is quercetin with a beta-D-galactosyl residue attached at position 3. Isolated from Artemisia capillaris, it exhibits hepatoprotective activity.beta-D-galactoside;
monosaccharide derivative;
quercetin O-glycoside;
tetrahydroxyflavone
hepatoprotective agent;
plant metabolite
myricetin7-hydroxyflavonol;
hexahydroxyflavone
antineoplastic agent;
antioxidant;
cyclooxygenase 1 inhibitor;
food component;
geroprotector;
hypoglycemic agent;
plant metabolite