title: AU-rich elements: characterization and importance in mRNA degradation.
abstract: Adenylate/uridylate-rich elements (AREs) are found in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of many messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that code for proto-oncogenes, nuclear transcription factors and cytokines. They represent the most common determinant of RNA stability in mammalian cells. Moreover, ARE-directed mRNA degradation is influenced by many exogenous factors, including phorbol esters, calcium ionophores, cytokines and transcription inhibitors. These observations suggest that AREs play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression during cell growth and differentiation, and in the immune response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, Medical School 77030, USA.
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Shyu
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001482:Base Composition; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014498:Uracil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014498:Uracil; D000225:Adenine