Translational regulation by mRNA/protein interactions in eukaryotic cells: ferritin and beyond.
The expression of certain eukaryotic genes is--at least in part--controlled at the level of mRNA translation. The step of translational initiation represents the primary target for regulation. The regulation of the intracellular iron storage protein ferritin in response to iron levels provides a good example of translational control by a reversible RNA/protein interaction in the 5' untranslated region of an mRNA. We consider mechanisms by which mRNA/protein interactions may impede translation initiation and discuss recent data suggesting that the ferritin example may represent the 'tip of the iceberg' of a more general theme for translational control.
Melefors
O
O
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
Hentze
M W
MW
D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005293:Ferritins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D035925:Iron-Regulatory Proteins; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010442:Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational; D011485:Protein Binding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
D035925:Iron-Regulatory Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D005293:Ferritins; D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase