The enzyme removes (decaps) the?N7-methylguanosine 5-phosphate cap from an mRNA degraded to a maximal length of 10 nucleotides [3,6]. Decapping is an important process in the control of eukaryotic mRNA degradation. The enzyme functions to clear the cell of cap structure following decay of the RNA body [2]. The nematode enzyme can also decap triply methylated substrates, 5′-(N2,N2,N7-trimethyl 5′-triphosphoguanosine)-[mRNA] [4].
Cofactor
History
Reactions
A 5′-(N(7)-methyl 5′-triphosphoguanosine)-[mRNA] + H(2)O = N(7)- methylguanosine 5′-phosphate + a 5′-diphospho-[mRNA].