Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42754576›Full record

ArticleNature communications2026

Structural framework for the assembly of the human tRNA ligase complex.

Moritz M Pfleiderer, Moritz Kleinwächter, Ajse S Nievergelt, Franziska M Boneberg, Alena Kroupova, Javier Martinez, Martin Jinek

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Enzymology of the metazoan tRNA ligase complex: a lifetime in cycles.Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Moritz M PfleidererDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2369-5824
Moritz KleinwächterMax Perutz Labs, Max Perutz Labs, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3648-6447
Ajse S NievergeltDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Franziska M BonebergDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Alena KroupovaDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Javier MartinezMax Perutz Labs, Max Perutz Labs, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9152-7323
Martin JinekDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. jinek@bioc.uzh.ch.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7601-210X

Funding

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) International Research Scholar AwardSchweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation) NCCR RNA and DiseaseSchweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation) TMPFP3_210571Vallee Foundation (Bert L. & N. Kuggie Vallee Foundation) 55008735
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In human cells, a subset of tRNA-encoding genes contain introns. These are removed by a spliceosome-independent pathway in which the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex catalyzes intron excision. The resulting exons are subsequently ligated by the tRNA-ligase complex (tRNA-LC), comprising Ashwin, CGI-99, FAM98B, DDX1, and RTCB/HSPC117. The molecular architecture and functions of its non-catalytic subunits remain poorly understood. Using cryo-EM, we determined an atomic-resolution structure of human tRNA-LC. CGI-99, DDX1, and FAM98B form an α-helical bundle that contacts RTCB opposite its active site and anchors DDX1 via its C-terminal helix. FAM98B and CGI-99 form an extensively co-folded heterodimer that clamps Ashwin in a pincer-like structure. Structure-based mutagenesis supports the architecture of the complex. We further show that FAM98A and FAM98C assemble distinct RTCB-containing complexes lacking Ashwin, suggesting specialized cellular functions. Our results provide insights into the molecular assembly of the tRNA ligase complex, highlighting its functions in tRNA biogenesis and beyond.

Indexed as

RNA Ligase (ATP)Cryoelectron MicroscopyDEAD-box RNA HelicasesHumansModels, MolecularProteinsRNA, TransferDEAD-box RNA HelicasesProteinsRNA Ligase (ATP)RNA, TransferRTCB protein, humantRNA splicing ligase

Identifiers

PMID42754576
PMCPMC13586351

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.