'Cap-tabolism'.
distinctive feature of eukaryotic mRNA and small nuclear RNA (snRNA) that are transcribed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is the presence of a cap structure at their 5' end. This essential modification serves as an inviting 'landing pad' for factors that are involved in various cellular processes such as pre-mRNA splicing, nucleocytoplasmic RNA export and localization, and translation initiation. Because of the important functions mediated by the mRNA cap, this structure needs to be modified and/or degraded in a tightly controlled manner. Several cellular and viral systems implicated in cap metabolism have been uncovered recently; their analyses provide interesting new information on cell structure and function.
Cougot
Nicolas
N
Equipe Labellisée La Ligue, Centre de Génétique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR2167 associé à l'Université Paris 6, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif sur Yvette, France.
van Dijk
Erwin
E
Babajko
Sylvie
S
Séraphin
Bertrand
B
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D039381:RNA Cap-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012315:RNA Caps / Q000737:chemistry*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D039381:RNA Cap-Binding Proteins; D012315:RNA Caps; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear