The multifunctional, stress-sensitive ribonuclease angiogenin cross-regulates different gene expression processes

Ribonucleases shape gene expression by mediating RNA processing and degradation. Angiogenin (ANG) is a prominent ribonuclease implicated in several pathophysiologies that contributes to multiple cellular processes by targeting different RNA substrates in a context-dependent manner. ANG has emerged as a key regulator of ribosomal DNA transcription and a direct modulator of translation. Upon cellular stress, ANG is responsible for the cleavage of tRNAs into fragments that are now recognized as important regulators of different aspects of gene expression, including mRNA stability and translation. In this review, we provide updated perspectives on the mechanisms of gene expression regulation by ANG and highlight the potential of multifunctional ribonucleases for mediating crosstalk between different aspects of gene expression.