Translational control in cellular and developmental processes

Growing evidence indicates that translational control of specific mRNAs contributes importantly to genetic regulation across the breadth of cellular and developmental processes. Synthesis of protein from a specific mRNA can be controlled by RNA-binding proteins at the level of translational initiation and elongation, and translational control is also sometimes coupled to mRNA localization mechanisms. Recent discoveries from invertebrate and vertebrate systems have uncovered novel modes of translational regulation, have provided new insights into how specific regulators target the general translational machinery and have identified several new links between translational control and human disease.