Photo-cross-linking and high-resolution mass spectrometry for assignment of RNA-binding sites in binding proteins

摘要

RNA molecules bind to proteins to form ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). These are indispensable for the synthesis, stability, transport and activity of mRNAs and noncoding RNAs. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) assume numerous functions in RNPs. RBPs can modulate or stabilize RNA structures, thereby making RNA catalytically active, for example, during pre-mRNA splicing. RNA can also guide a catalytically active RBP to its destination; examples of this are microRNA- or long noncoding RNA-mediated translational control and epigenetic modulation. RBPs are also involved in splicing and can recruit or repel other proteins, induce hydrolysis of RNA or protect RNA from degradation.