Specific mechanisms of pre-ribosomal RNA processing in human cells
Project leaders: Marie-Françoise O'Donohue, Pierre-Emmanuel Gleizes
Our investigation of human pre-rRNA processing has revealed mechanisms specific to mammalian cells when compared to the well-studied yeast S. cerevisiae, as visualized by the presence of distinct intermediate RNAs and the involvement of additional enzymes. Hence, we recently showed the unexpected requirement of 3'-5' exonucleases in the maturation of the 18S rRNA precursors. We are currently being characterizing the enzymes involved in this process.