Function

Possesses 5'->3' exoribonuclease activity. May promote the termination of transcription by RNA polymerase II. During transcription termination, cleavage at the polyadenylation site liberates a 5' fragment which is subsequently processed to form the mature mRNA and a 3' fragment which remains attached to the elongating polymerase. The processive degradation of this 3' fragment by this protein may promote termination of transcription.

Catalytic activity

Exonucleolytic cleavage in the 5'- to 3'-direction to yield nucleoside 5'-phosphates.

Tissue specificity

Expressed in the spleen, thymus, prostate, testis, ovary, small intestine, colon, peripheral blood leukocytes, heart, brain, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, and pancreas. Isoform 2 is expressed predominantly in peripheral blood leukocytes

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the 5'-3' exonuclease family. XRN2/RAT1 subfamily.

Contains 1 CCHC-type zinc finger.

Sequence caution

The sequence AAR24369.1 differs from that shown. Reason: Frameshift at position 73.

The sequence BAA90934.1 differs from that shown. Reason: Erroneous initiation.