Translational control from head to tail.
mRNA translation, a highly coordinated affair involving many proteins and RNAs, is generally divided into three steps: initiation, elongation, and termination. Each of these steps serves as a point of regulation to control the amount of protein that is produced. The protein 4E-HP has recently been shown to disrupt recruitment of the translation initiation complex by directly binding the 5' cap of cellular mRNAs. Recent work has shown elongation rates are probably altered during mitosis and certain types of synaptic transmission. Other work has shown premature termination of mRNAs lacking stop codons appears to repress their translation. Together, these studies highlight the importance of translational control in diverse processes such as development, cancer, and synaptic plasticity.
Groppo
Rachel
R
Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.
Richter
Joel D
JD
D000818:Animals; D018388:Codon, Terminator / Q000235:genetics*; D010442:Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational / Q000235:genetics*; D010443:Peptide Chain Termination, Translational / Q000235:genetics*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012315:RNA Caps / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D018388:Codon, Terminator; D012315:RNA Caps; D012333:RNA, Messenger