Multiple levels of post-transcriptional control of expression of the poly (A)-binding protein

Abstract

Regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level such as control of mRNA translation and stability is of fundamental importance because it allows cells to respond quickly to external signals, and change protein synthesis without new transcriptional activity. As such, control of translation and stability of mRNA play crucial roles in a variety of cellular processes, including regulating normal cellular growth, embryogenesis and neuronal plasticity. Consequently, misregulation of mRNA translation or degradation can be associated with a number of human diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. Studies have shown that the cytoplasmic poly (A)-binding protein (PABP) plays a crucial role in regulating both translation and stability of eukaryotic mRNA.