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Post-transcriptional operons and regulons co-ordinating gene expression
Jack D Keene1, Patrick J Lager
1Center for RNA Biology, Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. keene001@mc.duke.edu
Summary
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) coordinate gene expression by binding multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs), forming post-transcriptional operons. This mechanism organizes functionally related transcripts for complex proteomes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Eukaryotic RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) bind multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in vitro and in vivo.
- This multi-targeted binding suggests a coordinated gene expression model.
- Bacterial operons provide an analogy for coordinated transcript regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting the post-transcriptional operon model.
- To explore the role of RBPs in organizing genetic information.
- To examine coordinated transcript expression from transcription to translation.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide microarray approaches.
- In vitro and in vivo binding assays.
- Review of existing experimental data.
Main Results:
- RBPs associate with multiple mRNAs, supporting the post-transcriptional operon concept.
- Post-transcriptional operons organize functionally related mRNAs.
- Combinatorial properties of these operons contribute to proteome diversification.
Conclusions:
- Post-transcriptional operons are a key mechanism for eukaryotic gene expression.
- RBPs play a crucial role in coordinating transcript processing and translation.
- This regulatory system impacts proteome complexity and functional organization.