The exosome is a multisubunit complex composed of several highly conserved subunits, some of which are 3' to 5' exoribonucleases. The complex is involved in a variety of cellular processes and is responsible for degrading unstable mRNAs that contain AU-rich (ARE) elements in their untranslated 3' region. DIS3L2 (DIS3-like exonuclease 2) is an 885 amino acid protein that is thought to function as an exonuclease and may be required for the 3' processing of pre-mRNA into mature mRNA. Defects or chromosomal translocations involving the gene encoding DIS3L2 may be associated with Marfanoid habitus, a genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities in the skeleton, eyes and cardiovascular system. DIS3L2 is expressed as five isoforms due to alternative splicing events.
