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How cells get the message: dynamic assembly and function of mRNA-protein complexes

Michaela Müller-McNicoll1, Karla M Neugebauer

  • 1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany. mmueller@mpi-cbg.de

Nature Reviews. Genetics
|March 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is packaged into ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) by numerous proteins. This packaging influences mRNA

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cell biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Messenger RNA (mRNA) undergoes complex processing and transport.
  • mRNA is packaged into messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs).
  • Numerous RNA-binding and associated proteins influence mRNA fate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diversity of mRNA-associated proteins.
  • To understand the interconnections between mRNA processing steps.
  • To highlight the role of mRNP formation and packaging in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Cell biology techniques.
  • Genome-wide high-throughput approaches.

Main Results:

  • Revealed diverse mRNA-associated proteins.
  • Identified unforeseen interconnections in mRNA processing.
  • Demonstrated mRNP packaging sorts RNAs by length.
  • Showcased alternative pathways for mRNP assembly, processing, and export.

Conclusions:

  • mRNP packaging is crucial for mRNA fate.
  • mRNA packaging influences RNA sorting and cellular localization.
  • Insights into mRNP formation advance understanding of gene expression regulation.

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