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Alternative Polyadenylation of mRNAs: 3'-Untranslated Region Matters in Gene Expression

Hsin-Sung Yeh1, Jeongsik Yong1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.

Molecules and Cells
|February 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a common mRNA processing event in eukaryotes. This review summarizes APA

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) undergo polyadenylation during processing.
  • Many mRNAs possess multiple polyadenylation sites within their 3' untranslated regions (UTRs).
  • Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a widespread phenomenon in gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the physiological roles of APA events.
  • To discuss known and proposed mechanisms regulating APA.
  • To explore future research directions in APA.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent discoveries in APA.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of APA mechanisms.
  • Identification of key biological processes linked to APA.

Main Results:

  • APA is prevalent and linked to critical biological processes like differentiation, proliferation, and tumorigenesis.
  • APA events are tightly regulated and play significant physiological roles.
  • Multiple mechanisms, both known and proposed, underlie APA regulation.

Conclusions:

  • APA is a crucial regulatory mechanism in eukaryotes.
  • Understanding APA mechanisms is vital for comprehending cellular processes and diseases.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate APA's roles and regulatory pathways.
Keywords:
3′ UTR3′-end processingalternative polyadenylationmTORpost-transcriptional gene regulation

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