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Cytoplasmic Fate of Eukaryotic mRNA: Identification and Characterization of AU-Binding Proteins

1997; Springer Science+Business Media; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-3-642-60471-3_7

2197-8484

Jason A. Jarzembowski, James S. Malter,

Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Messenger RNA (mRNA) turnover has only recently been appreciated as an important control point in the regulation of gene expression. Initially thought to be a static process, mRNA decay is now known to be a highly regulated pathway capable of temporally, qualitatively, and quantitatively altering the cytoplasmic levels of specific mRNAs. The heterogeneity of different mRNA half-lives has a direct impact on gene expression by varying the levels of protein production (for reviews, see Raghow 1987; Hargrove and Schmidt 1989; Carter and Malter 1991; Peltz et al. 1991). In addition, the stability of a single mRNA can be differentially regulated by the cell in response to various stimuli. Alterations in mRNA decay rates are critical for both normal development and adult homeostasis (Kafatos 1972; Atwater et al. 1990). Dysregulated mRNA degradation can contribute to the development of a variety of human diseases, including cancer (Eick et al. 1985; Piechaczyk et al. 1985; Bauer et al. 1989; Ross et al. 1991), autoimmune syndromes (Lerner and Steitz 1979; Levine et al. 1993), and possibly Alzheimer's disease (Zaidi and Malter 1995).