InterPro domain: IPR003954

Many eukaryotic proteins that are known or supposed to bind single-stranded RNA contain one or more copies of a putative RNA-binding domain of about 90 amino acids. This is known as the eukaryotic putative RNA-binding region RNP-1 signature [ 1 , 2 ], or RNA recognition motif (RRM). RRMs are found in a variety of RNA binding proteins, including heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), proteins implicated in regulation of alternative splicing, and protein components of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). The motif also appears in a few single stranded DNA binding proteins. The RRM structure consists of four strands and two helices arranged in an alpha/beta sandwich, with a third helix present during RNA binding in some cases [ 3 ]. Two individual SMART models were built which identify subtypes of this domain, and are found exclusively in eukaryotes.

1. RNA-binding proteins as developmental regulators. Genes Dev. 3, 431-7
2. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles and the pathway of mRNA formation. Trends Biochem. Sci. 13, 86-91
3. Analysis of the RNA-recognition motif and RS and RGG domains: conservation in metazoan pre-mRNA splicing factors. Nucleic Acids Res. 21, 5803-16