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Storage of messenger RNA in eukaryotes: Envelopment with protein, translational barrier at 5′ side, or conformational masking by 3′ side?
Author(s) -
Spirin Alexander S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.1080380117
Subject(s) - messenger rnp , ribonucleoprotein , biology , polyadenylation , untranslated region , messenger rna , translation (biology) , three prime untranslated region , microbiology and biotechnology , rna binding protein , cytoplasm , rna , genetics , gene
Abstract Messenger RNA can be stored in the cytoplasm of higher Eukaryotes in the form of masked messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (masked mRNPs, or informosomes). The typical example is the storage of mRNPs in germ cells (oocytes and spermatocytes). The masked mRNPs are inactive in translation, stable, i.e., protected against degradation, and unavailable for poly(A) tail processing, such as cytoplasmic polyadenylation and deadenylation. The major nonspecific mRNA‐binding protein forming mRNPs and belonging to a special p50 family of basic, glycine‐rich, phosphorylatable proteins seems to be necessary, but not sufficient for the masking. In some cases, mRNA‐specific repressor proteins bound to the 5′‐untranslated regions (5′‐UTR) of mRNAs may be involved. Interactions of the 3′‐untranslated regions (3′‐UTR) with sequence‐specific proteins seem to be of decisive importance for the masking of mRNPs. The hypothesis is proposed that the masking is achieved through a 3′‐UTR–induced conformational rearrangement of mRNP; closing into a circle and condensation of mRNP are considered plausible. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.