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Defining cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors in RNA localization
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
International Review of Cytology
|December 29, 2000
Summary
Intracellular RNA localization is a fundamental cellular process. This review details cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors that mediate RNA transport, crucial for cellular function.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Intracellular RNA localization is a widespread phenomenon across diverse organisms and cell types.
- Understanding RNA localization requires analyzing how specific RNAs achieve their characteristic distributions.
- A generalized model involves cellular factors recognizing specific RNA target sequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review systems where cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors mediate RNA localization.
- To define these elements and factors, their relationships, and their functional interactions.
- To explore the fundamental cellular process of RNA localization.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on RNA localization mechanisms.
- Analysis of cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors involved in RNA transport.
- Examination of conserved RNA elements and protein factors across species.
Main Results:
- Detailed examination of several systems demonstrating RNA localization.
- Identification of cis-acting elements and their recognition by trans-acting factors.
- Evidence for conserved mechanisms of RNA localization across species.
Conclusions:
- RNA localization is mediated by specific interactions between cis-acting RNA elements and trans-acting protein factors.
- These interactions are crucial for achieving defined intracellular RNA distributions.
- The conservation of these elements and factors suggests RNA localization is a fundamental cellular process.
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