A new paradigm for the regulation of the mammalian ribosomal RNA genes.
Ribosome assembly occurs co-transcriptionally on the rRNA genes. This process requires the co-ordinated expression and assembly of many hundreds of proteins and is finely tuned to cell and organism growth. Co-ordinate regulation of the rRNA genes and the ribosomal protein genes is therefore essential for high-fidelity ribosome assembly. Recent work shows that rRNA gene transcription is regulated at the level of elongation via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. We argue that this may provide an explanation for the high fidelity of ribosome assembly.
Moss
T
T
Cancer Research Centre and Department of Medical Biology, Laval University, CHUQ-HDQ, Pavillon St. Patrick, 9 rue McMahon, QC, Canada G1R 3S3. Tom.Moss@crhdq.ulaval.ca
Stefanovsky
V
V
Langlois
F
F
Gagnon-Kugler
T
T
D000818:Animals; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D008322:Mammals; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D006133:Growth Substances; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases