RNA recognition motif 2 (RRM2) found in yeast meiotic activator RIM4 and similar proteins
This subfamily corresponds to the RRM2 of RIM4, also termed regulator of IME2 protein 4, a putative RNA binding protein that is expressed at elevated levels early in meiosis. It functions as a meiotic activator required for both the IME1- and IME2-dependent pathways of meiotic gene expression, as well as early events of meiosis, such as meiotic division and recombination, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. RIM4 contains two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs), also termed RBDs (RNA binding domains) or RNPs (ribonucleoprotein domains). The family also includes a putative RNA-binding protein termed multicopy suppressor of sporulation protein Msa1. It is a putative RNA-binding protein encoded by a novel gene, msa1, from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Msa1 may be involved in the inhibition of sexual differentiation by controlling the expression of Ste11-regulated genes, possibly through the pheromone-signaling pathway. Like RIM4, Msa1 also contains two RRMs, both of which are essential for the function of Msa1.