Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

5.5K
The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
5.5K
Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

7.5K
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
7.5K
Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay

10.5K
The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
10.5K
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

864
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
864
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

33.2K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
33.2K
Proteins: From Genes to Degradation02:11

Proteins: From Genes to Degradation

11.9K
Within a biological system, the DNA encodes the RNA, and the nucleotide sequence in the RNA further defines the amino acid sequence in the protein. This is referred to as “The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology” - a term coined by Francis Crick.  Central dogma is a firm principle in biology that defines the flow of genetic information within any life form. The two fundamental steps in central dogma are - transcription and translation.
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA...
11.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Widespread mono- and oligoadenylation direct small noncoding RNA maturation versus degradation fates.

The EMBO journal·2025
Same author

Human CCR4 deadenylase homolog Angel1 is a non-stop mRNA decay factor.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

TurboID functions as an efficient biotin ligase for BioID applications in Xenopus embryos.

Developmental biology·2022
Same author

Bicaudal-C Post-transcriptional regulator of cell fates and functions.

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology·2022
Same author

The Conserved CNOT1 Interaction Motif of Tristetraprolin Regulates ARE-mRNA Decay Independently of the p38 MAPK-MK2 Kinase Pathway.

Molecular and cellular biology·2022
Same author

Bicc1 and Dicer regulate left-right patterning through post-transcriptional control of the Nodal inhibitor Dand5.

Nature communications·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2025

Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains
12:21

Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains

Published on: December 13, 2014

12.5K

Cytoplasmic mRNA decay and quality control machineries in eukaryotes.

Megan E Dowdle1, Jens Lykke-Andersen2

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Nature Reviews. Genetics
|January 27, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation is crucial for regulating gene expression. New insights into mRNA turnover mechanisms and stability principles are advancing therapeutic mRNA design.

More Related Videos

Determining Genome-wide Transcript Decay Rates in Proliferating and Quiescent Human Fibroblasts
07:03

Determining Genome-wide Transcript Decay Rates in Proliferating and Quiescent Human Fibroblasts

Published on: January 2, 2018

6.1K
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Metabolic Labeling with 4-thiouracil and the Quantification of Newly Synthesized mRNA As a Proxy for RNA Polymerase II Activity
09:21

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Metabolic Labeling with 4-thiouracil and the Quantification of Newly Synthesized mRNA As a Proxy for RNA Polymerase II Activity

Published on: October 22, 2018

9.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2025

Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains
12:21

Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains

Published on: December 13, 2014

12.5K
Determining Genome-wide Transcript Decay Rates in Proliferating and Quiescent Human Fibroblasts
07:03

Determining Genome-wide Transcript Decay Rates in Proliferating and Quiescent Human Fibroblasts

Published on: January 2, 2018

6.1K
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Metabolic Labeling with 4-thiouracil and the Quantification of Newly Synthesized mRNA As a Proxy for RNA Polymerase II Activity
09:21

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Metabolic Labeling with 4-thiouracil and the Quantification of Newly Synthesized mRNA As a Proxy for RNA Polymerase II Activity

Published on: October 22, 2018

9.0K

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • mRNA degradation pathways are critical for controlling gene expression levels and dynamics.
  • mRNA stability varies significantly between genes and isoforms, influenced by cellular signals like kinase signaling.
  • Quality control mechanisms eliminate aberrant or damaged mRNAs, preventing negative impacts on translation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding mRNA degradation in eukaryotic cytoplasm.
  • To highlight the mechanisms of mRNA targeting and turnover.
  • To discuss the implications of this knowledge for therapeutic mRNA development.

Main Methods:

  • Structural biology techniques
  • Single-molecule studies
  • Genome-wide analyses

Main Results:

  • New insights into the core machinery of mRNA turnover.
  • Detailed understanding of mRNA targeting for degradation.
  • Identification of global principles governing mRNA stability.

Conclusions:

  • Advances in understanding mRNA degradation are crucial for gene expression control.
  • This knowledge is directly applicable to the design of novel therapeutic mRNAs.