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Post-transcriptional Regulatory Functions of Mammalian Pumilio Proteins

Aaron C Goldstrohm1, Traci M Tanaka Hall2, Katherine M McKenney1

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

Trends in Genetics : TIG
|October 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian Pumilio proteins (PUM1 and PUM2) are crucial RNA-binding proteins regulating gene expression. Their dysfunction is linked to various diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Pumilio proteins (PUM1, PUM2) are sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins belonging to the PUF family.
  • These proteins play critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation by binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms, regulatory networks, biological functions, and disease relevance of mammalian Pumilio proteins.
  • To highlight novel findings regarding Pumilio protein involvement in diverse physiological and pathological processes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on Pumilio proteins.
  • Analysis of genetic studies and their implications for Pumilio protein function.
  • Exploration of regulatory interactions involving Pumilio proteins and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs).

Main Results:

  • Pumilio proteins primarily repress protein expression by inhibiting translation and promoting mRNA decay, but can activate expression in specific contexts.
  • They regulate a vast network of mRNAs and also interact with ncRNAs, such as ncRNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD).
  • Genetic analysis confirms Pumilio proteins are essential for growth, development, stem cell fate, and neurological functions like memory.

Conclusions:

  • Pumilio proteins are vital regulators of gene expression with broad biological functions.
  • Dysfunction of Pumilio proteins is implicated in a spectrum of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, epilepsy, intellectual disability, infertility, and cancer.

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