U6 Spliceosomal RNA - Associated Proteins

Associated Proteins

Free U6 snRNA is found to be associated with the proteins Prp24 and the LSms. Prp24 is thought to form an intermediate complex with the U6 snRNA, in order to facilitate the extensive base-pairing between the U4 and U6 snRNAs, and the Lsms may aid in Prp24 binding. The approximate location of these protein binding domains was determined, and the proteins were later visualized by electron microscopy. This study suggests that in the free form of U6, Prp24 binds to the telestem and the uradine-rich 3' tail of the U6 snRNA is threaded through the ring of Lsms.