AU RNA Binding Protein/Enoyl Coenzyme A Hydratase (AUH)

ARE elements are involved in directing RNA to rapid degradation and deadenylation. AUH is also homologous to enol-CoA hydratase, an enzyme involved in fatty acid degradation, and has been shown to have intrinsic hydratase enzymatic activity.

AUH is thus a bifunctional chimera between RNA binding and metabolic enzyme activity. A possible subcellular localization in the mitochondria has been demonstrated for the mouse homolog of this protein which shares 92% identity with the human protein. It has been suggested that AUH may have a novel role as a mitochondrial located AU-binding protein. Human AUH is expressed as a single mRNA species of 1.8 kb, and translated as a 40-kDa precursor protein which is subsequently processed to a 32-kDa mature form.