Lupus La protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SSB gene. La is involved in diverse aspects of RNA metabolism, including binding and protecting 3-prime UUU(OH) elements of newly RNA polymerase III (see MIM 606007)-transcribed RNA, processing 5-prime and 3-prime ends of pre-tRNA precursors, acting as an RNA chaperone, and binding viral RNAs associated with hepatitis C virus. La protein was originally defined by its reactivity with autoantibodies from patients with Sjogren syndrome (MIM 270150) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; MIM 152700) (Teplova et al., 2006 [PubMed 16387655]).[supplied by OMIM]. Sequence Note: removed 1 base from the 3' end that did not align to the reference genome assembly. Publication Note: This RefSeq record includes a subset of the publications that are available for this gene. Please see the Gene record to access additional publications.
Binds to the 3' poly(U) terminii of nascent RNA polymerase III transcripts, protecting them from exonuclease digestion and facilitating their folding and maturation.