Characterization of the direct physical interaction of nc886, a cellular non-coding RNA, and PKR

► First characterization of in vitro interaction between PKR and nc886. ► Direct binding of nc886 to PKR with an affinity comparable to that of dsRNA. ► Two RNA binding domains of PKR recognize the central region of nc886. ► PKR binds equally well to 5′-mono, tri- or de-phosphorylated nc886. ► nc886 sets a threshold for cellular PKR activation.