The post-transcriptional addition of uridyl ribonucleotides by terminal uridyltransferases (TUTases) to the ′A ends of various cytoplasmic RNAs, including microRNAs, has been implicated in regulating their stability, biogenesis or activity. The crystal structure of Schizosaccharomyces pombe TUTase Cid1 in its apo form and bound to UTP provides insight into the enzyme's active site, UTP selectivity and RNA-binding mechanism.
- Luke A Yates
- Sophie Fleurdépine
- Robert J C Gilbert