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Published on: March 7, 2018
Metabolite sensing in eukaryotic mRNA biology
Carina C Clingman1, Sean P Ryder
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA
|May 9, 2013
Summary
Metabolites influence gene expression not only by controlling transcription but also by affecting post-transcriptional regulation. This review highlights emerging links between metabolism and RNA processing, stability, and translation in eukaryotes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Metabolic Regulation
- Gene Expression
Background:
- Nutrient availability and metabolic demands dynamically alter gene expression programs in all organisms.
- Metabolites are known regulators of transcription and second-messenger systems.
- Emerging evidence indicates metabolites also impact post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the growing connections between metabolism and post-transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes.
- To highlight key examples of metabolite-RNA interactions.
- To discuss the implications for understanding gene regulation networks.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of gene-specific genetic, biochemical, and structural studies.
- Analysis of evidence for riboswitches in eukaryotes.
- Examination of metabolite-enzyme interactions affecting RNA.
Main Results:
- Riboswitches, common in bacteria, are also found to function in eukaryotes for metabolite sensing.
- Metabolite-interacting RNA modifying enzymes suggest a link between RNA editing and metabolic state.
- Metabolic enzymes directly bind RNA, influencing mRNA stability and translation efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Metabolism and post-transcriptional regulation are increasingly interconnected in eukaryotes.
- Further systems-level studies are needed to determine if these interactions represent a widespread regulatory network or evolutionary anomalies.
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