The meaning of nonsense.
To ensure the accuracy of gene expression, eukaryotes have evolved several surveillance mechanisms. One of the best-studied quality control mechanisms is nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which recognizes and degrades transcripts harboring a premature translation-termination codon (PTC), thereby preventing the production of faulty proteins. NMD regulates approximately 10% of human mRNAs, and its physiological importance is manifested by the fact that approximately 30% of disease-associated mutations generate PTCs. Although different mechanisms of PTC recognition have been proposed for different species, recent studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, plants and mammals suggest a conserved model. Here, we summarize the latest results and discuss an emerging model for NMD and its implications for the regulation of gene expression.
Stalder
Lukas
L
Institute of Cell Biology, University of Berne, Baltzerstrabetae 4, 3012 Berne, Switzerland.
Mühlemann
Oliver
O
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger