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exosome

In the eukaryotic ribosomal RNA processing pathway, a complex of ten riboexonucleases called the exosome that plays a central role in the precise formation of the 3? ends of several types of RNAs.

The exosome also destroys excess ribosomal RNA precursors and unused intermediates and degrades poly(A)-mRNAs in the cytoplasm.

In the nucleus, the complex appears to function in a regulated mRNA surveillance system that degrades transcripts in response to defects in the mRNA processing and export pathways.

The exosome complex of 3??>5? exonucleases is an important component of the RNA-processing machinery in eukaryotes. This complex functions in the accurate processing of nuclear RNA precursors and in the degradation of RNAs in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

References

- Houseley J, LaCava J, Tollervey D. RNA-quality control by the exosome. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Jul;7(7):529-39. PMID: 16829983

- Butler JS. The yin and yang of the exosome. Trends Cell Biol. 2002 Feb;12(2):90-6. PMID: 11849973