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mRNA metabolism and neuronal disease
Author(s) -
Linder Bastian,
Fischer Utz,
Gehring Niels H.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.04.052
Subject(s) - messenger rna , translation (biology) , biology , genetics , gene expression , spinal muscular atrophy , gene , microbiology and biotechnology
To serve as templates for translation eukaryotic mRNAs undergo an elaborate processing and maturation pathway. In eukaryotes this process comprises the synthesis of mRNA precursors, their processing and transport to the site of translation and eventually their decay. During the entire life cycle, mRNAs interact with distinct sets of trans ‐acting factors that determine their fate at any given phase of gene expression. Recent studies have shown that mutations in components acting in trans on mRNAs are frequent causes of a large variety of different human disorders. The etiology of most of these diseases is, however, only poorly understood, mostly because the consequences for mRNA‐metabolism are unclear. Here we discuss three prominent genetic diseases that fall into this category, namely spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and X‐linked syndromic mental retardation (XLMR). Whereas SMA and RP can be directly linked to mRNA processing, XLMR results from mutations in the mRNA surveillance system. We discuss how defects in mRNA maturation and turnover might lead to the tissue specific defects seen in these diseases.