title: Alternative polyadenylation and RNA-binding proteins.
abstract: Our understanding of the extent of microRNA-based gene regulation has expanded in an impressive pace over the past decade. Now, we are beginning to better appreciate the role of 3'-UTR (untranslated region) cis-elements which harbor not only microRNA but also RNA-binding protein (RBP) binding sites that have significant effect on the stability and translational rate of mRNAs. To add further complexity, alternative polyadenylation (APA) emerges as a widespread mechanism to regulate gene expression by producing shorter or longer mRNA isoforms that differ in the length of their 3'-UTRs or even coding sequences. Resulting shorter mRNA isoforms generally lack cis-elements where trans-acting factors bind, and hence are differentially regulated compared with the longer isoforms. This review focuses on the RBPs involved in APA regulation and their action mechanisms on APA-generated isoforms. A better understanding of the complex interactions between APA and RBPs is promising for mechanistic and clinical implications including biomarker discovery and new therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological SciencesOrta Dogu Teknik Universitesi (ODTU) (METU), Universiteler Mahallesi, Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey erson@metu.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Ayse Elif
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Erson-Bensan
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D026723:Polyadenylation; D011485:Protein Binding; D059368:RNA Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D059368:RNA Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins
keywords: 3′-UTR; APA; RBP; RNA-binding protein; alternative polyadenylation