Chromosome 22 Open Reading Frame 28 (C22orf28)

Catalytic subunit of the tRNA-splicing ligase complex that acts by directly joining spliced tRNA halves to mature-sized tRNAs by incorporating the precursor-derived splice junction phosphate into the mature tRNA as a canonical 3',5'-phosphodiester. May act as a RNA ligase with broad substrate specificity, and may function toward other RNAs. RtcB enzymes are novel RNA ligases that join 2’,3’-cyclic phosphate and 5’-OH ends. The phylogenetic distribution of RtcB points to its candidacy as a tRNA splicing/repair enzyme. Escherichia coli RtcB is competent and sufficient for tRNA splicing in vivo, by virtue of its ability to complement growth of yeast cells that lack the endogenous “healing/sealing-type” tRNA ligase Trl1. RtcB also protects yeast trl1Δ cells against a fungal ribotoxin that incises the anticodon loop of cellular tRNAs.