This domain is found at the N terminus of La RNA-binding proteins as well as other proteins [ PUBMED:8035818 ].

Human Ro ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are composed of one of the four small Y RNAs and at least two proteins, Ro60 and La. The La protein is a 47kDa polypeptide that frequently acts as an autoantigen … expand

This domain is found at the N terminus of La RNA-binding proteins as well as other proteins [ PUBMED:8035818 ].

Human Ro ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are composed of one of the four small Y RNAs and at least two proteins, Ro60 and La. The La protein is a 47kDa polypeptide that frequently acts as an autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome [ PUBMED:15016896 ]. In the nucleus, La acts as a RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) transcription factor, while in the cytoplasm, La acts as a translation factor [ PUBMED:14636586 ]. In the nucleus, La binds to the 3'UTR of nascent RNAP III transcripts to assist in folding and maturation [ PUBMED:15004549 ]. In the cytoplasm, La recognises specific classes of mRNAs that contain a 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine (5'TOP) motif known to control protein synthesis [ PUBMED:14690589 ]. The specific recognition is mediated by the N-terminal domain of La, which comprises a La motif and a RNA recognition motif (RRM). The La motif adopts an α/β fold that comprises a winged-helix motif [ PUBMED:15048103 ].

Homologous La domain-containing proteins have been identified in a wide range of organisms except Archaea, bacteria and viruses [ PUBMED:7799435 ].