How do proteins recognize specific RNA sites? New clues from autogenously regulated ribosomal proteins.

Some ribosomal proteins which bind specifically to ribosomal RNA also act as translational repressors and recognize their encoding messenger RNAs. The messenger- and ribosomal-RNA binding sites for four of these proteins are now well defined, and striking similarities in primary and secondary structure are apparent in most cases. These 'consensus' structures are useful clues to the features proteins use to recognize specific RNAs.