The role of KSRP in mRNA decay and microRNA precursor maturation

KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KSRP)/FBP2, a single-strand nucleic acid binding protein originally identified as both an RNA-binding protein and a transcription factor, affects RNA fates at multiple levels. In this review we will discuss the ability of KSRP to (1) promote decay of labile mRNAs by interacting with some components of the mRNA decay machinery and (2) favor the maturation of a select group of microRNA precursors. We also discuss how its peculiar modular structure allows KSRP to specifically interact with a wide spectrum of RNA sequences and how post-translational modifications influence KSRP functions in cell proliferation and differentiation.