hnRNP-U enhances the expression of specific genes by stabilizing mRNA.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are thought to be involved in pre-mRNA processing. hnRNP-U, also termed scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A), binds to pre-mRNA and nuclear matrix/scaffold attachment region DNA elements. However, its role in the regulation of gene expression is as yet poorly understood. In the present study, we show that hnRNP-U specifically enhances the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA by increasing its stability, possibly through binding to the 3' untranslated region. We also show that hnRNP-U enhances the expression of several other genes as well, including GADD45A, HEXIM1, HOXA2, IER3, NHLH2, and ZFY, by binding to and stabilizing these mRNAs. These results suggest that hnRNP-U enhances the expression of specific genes by regulating mRNA stability.
Yugami
Masato
M
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
Kabe
Yasuaki
Y
Yamaguchi
Yuki
Y
Wada
Tadashi
T
Handa
Hiroshi
H
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D034722:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000502:physiology*; D020871:RNA Stability / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D034722:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U