Deciphering the role of RNA-binding proteins in the post-transcriptional control of gene expression.
Eukaryotic cells express a large variety of ribonucleic acid-(RNA)-binding proteins (RBPs) with diverse affinity and specificity towards target RNAs that play a crucial role in almost every aspect of RNA metabolism. In addition, specific domains in RBPs impart catalytic activity or mediate protein-protein interactions, making RBPs versatile regulators of gene expression. In this review, we elaborate on recent experimental and computational approaches that have increased our understanding of RNA-protein interactions and their role in cellular function. We review aspects of gene expression that are modulated post-transcriptionally by RBPs, namely the stability of polymerase II-derived mRNA transcripts and their rate of translation into proteins. We further highlight the extensive regulatory networks of RBPs that implement a combinatorial control of gene expression. Taking cues from the recent development in the field, we argue that understanding spatio-temporal RNA-protein association on a transcriptome level will provide invaluable and unexpected insights into the regulatory codes that define growth, differentiation and disease.
University of Basel, Switzerland.
Shivendra
S
Kishore
Sandra
S
Luber
Mihaela
M
Zavolan
D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins