The structure of an essential splicing element: stem loop IIa from yeast U2 snRNA.
Stallings, S.C., Moore, P.B.(1997) Structure 5: 1173-1185
- PubMed: 9331416 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0969-2126(97)00268-2
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1U2A, 2U2A - PubMed Abstract: 
Eukaryotic genes are usually transcribed as precursor mRNAs which are then spliced, removing introns to produce functional mRNAs. Splicing is performed by the spliceosome and provides an important level of post-translational control of gene expression. Stem loop IIa from U2 small nuclear (sn)RNA is required for the efficient association of the U2 small nuclear ribonuclear protein (snRNP) with the nascent spliceosome in yeast. Genetic analysis suggests that stem loop IIa is involved in RNA-protein interactions early in splicing, and it may also interact with other RNA sequences in U2. The sequence of loop IIa is well conserved, consistent with the idea that this loop is important for function.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8107, USA.