Puf repeats (also labelled PUM-HD or Pumilio homology domain) mediate sequence specific RNA binding in fly Pumilio, worm FBF-1 and FBF-2, and many other proteins such as vertebrate Pumilio. These proteins function as translational repressors in early embryonic development by binding to sequences in the 3' UTR of target mRNAs, such as the nanos response element (NRE) in fly Hunchback mRNA, or the point mutation element (PME) in worm fem-3 mRNA. Other proteins that contain Puf domains are also plausible RNA binding proteins. Yeast PUF1 (JSN1), for instance, appears to contain a single RNA-recognition motif (RRM) domain. Puf repeat proteins have been observed to function asymmetrically and may be responsible for creating protein gradients involved in the specification of cell fate and differentiation. Puf domains usually occur as a tandem repeat of 8 domains. This model encompasses all 8 tandem repeats. Some proteins may have fewer (canonical) repeats.
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