RNA-binding ability of PIPP in requires the entire protein

Post-transcriptional fate of eukaryotic mRNAs depends on association with different classes of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Among these proteins, the cold-shock domain (CSD)-containing proteins, also called Y-box proteins, play a key role in controlling the recruitment of mRNA to the translational machinery, in response to environmental cues, both in development and in differentiated cells. We recently cloned a rat cDNA encoding a new CSD-protein that we called PIPPin. This protein also contains two putative double-stranded RNA-binding motifs (PIP(1) and PIP(2)) flanking the central CSD, and is able to bind mRNAs encoding H1 degrees and H3.3 histone variants. In order to clarify the role of…