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.
Institute of Cell Biology, University of Berne, Baltzerstrabetae 4, 3012 Berne, Switzerland.
Lukas
L
Stalder
Oliver
O
Mühlemann
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