TSEN2 : tRNA splicing endonuclease subunit 2
Description
The TSEN2 (tRNA splicing endonuclease subunit 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
The TSEN2 gene provides instructions for making one part (subunit) of an enzyme called the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex. This complex helps process several types of RNA molecules, which are chemical cousins of DNA. The tRNA splicing endonuclease complex is particularly important for the normal processing of a form of RNA known as transfer RNA (tRNA). tRNA molecules help assemble protein building blocks called amino acids into full-length proteins. However, before they can assemble proteins, tRNAs must be processed into mature molecules. In particular, regions called introns need to be removed from some tRNAs for the molecules to be functional. The tRNA splicing endonuclease complex recognizes and then removes introns to help produce mature tRNA molecules. Studies suggest that the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex may also be involved in processing another form of RNA known as messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA serves as a genetic blueprint for making proteins. Researchers suspect that the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex cuts (cleaves) one end of mRNA molecules so a string of adenines (one of the building blocks of RNA) can be added. This process is known as polyadenylation, and the string of adenines is known as a poly(A) tail. The poly(A) tail signals the stopping point for protein production and protects mRNA from being broken down before protein production occurs.
TSEN2, also known as tRNA-splicing endonuclease subunit Sen2 or tRNA-intron endonuclease Sen2, is a crucial component of the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex. This complex plays a critical role in processing transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, ensuring their proper functionality. Specifically, TSEN2 acts as one of the two catalytic subunits within the complex, responsible for identifying and cleaving specific regions called splice sites within pre-tRNA molecules. This cleavage process releases the intron, a non-coding region, and generates two tRNA half-molecules. The splice sites are not defined by conserved sequences but are consistently located within the gene at a fixed distance from the tRNA's structural elements. Isoform 1 of TSEN2 likely harbors the active site for 5'-splice site cleavage. Interestingly, the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex also participates in mRNA processing by interacting with factors involved in pre-mRNA 3'-end processing. This connection highlights the multifaceted role of TSEN2 and its associated complex in RNA processing events.
TSEN2 is also known as PCH2B, SEN2, SEN2L.
