Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by degradation of messenger RNAs

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 195; no. 3; pp. 356 - 372
• Main Authors: Bevilacqua, Annamaria, Ceriani, Maria Cristina, Capaccioli, Sergio, Nicolin, Angelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.06.2003
• Subjects: Animals; Drug Delivery Systems; Exoribonucleases - metabolism; Humans; Macromolecular Substances; Models, Genetic; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; RNA Stability; RNA, Messenger - chemistry; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA-Binding Proteins - physiology
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.10272

Recent evidence suggests that gene expression may be regulated, at least in part, at post‐transcriptional level by factors inducing the extremely rapid degradation of messenger RNAs. These factors include reactions between adenyl‐uridyl‐rich elements (AREs) of the relevant mRNA and either specific proteins that bind to these elements or exosomes. This review deals with examples of the proteins (AU‐rich binding proteins, AUBPs) and exosomes, which have been shown to form complexes with AREs and bring about rapid degradation of the relevant mRNA, and with certain other factors, which protect the RNA from such degradation. The biochemical and physiological factors underlying the stability of messenger RNAs carrying the ARE motifs will be reviewed in the light of their emerging significance for cell physiology, human pathology, and molecular medicine. We also consider the possible application of the results of recent insights into the mechanisms to pharmacological interventions to prevent or cure disorders, especially developmental disorders, which the suppression of gene expression may bring about. Molecular targeting of specific steps in protein degradation by synthetic compounds has already been utilized for the development of pharmacological therapies. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.