Cross-talks between transcription and post-transcriptional events within a 'mRNA factory'

Abstract

Eukaryotic gene expression is controlled in multi steps. Pre-messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs) transcribed by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) are capped at 5' end, spliced to remove introns and polyadenylated at 3' end. These processes are followed by other post-transcriptional steps that include mRNA export, translation and mRNA degradation. Recent studies have shown that individual events occurring during eukaryotic gene expression are coupled together under more elaborate regulatory controls. In this review, the molecular and functional cross-talks between transcription and the post-transcriptional events are overviewed.