RNA decay machines: Deadenylation by the Ccr4-Not and Pan2-Pan3 complexes

► Structures and catalytic mechanisms of the Ccr4-Not and PAN deadenylases are being elucidated. ► Deadenylase subunits and complexes play specialised as well as redundant roles. ► Deadenylase complexes can be recruited to mRNAs by protein- or RNA-dependent mechanisms. ► Knock-out mice reveal specific roles of individual Ccr4-Not subunits in biological processes.