Twins take the job

Abstract

The exosome, one of the main cellular ribonucleases in eukaryotes, is a multi-subunit complex of deep evolutionary origin. This complex has been extensively characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisae. Given the good conservation of exosome subunit sequences, it was widely accepted that the yeast exosome provided a good model for other eukaryotic species. Recent analysis of higher eukaryotic exosomes reveals some differences challenging this idea. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Tomecki et al (2010) and Staals et al (2010) provide new insights into the composition and function of the human exosome, with implications for our understanding on the organization, function and localization of this complex in these cells. © 2010 European Molecular Biology Organization - All Rights Reserved.