mRNA accessibility within mRNPs as a determinant of gene expression

Trends Biochem Sci. 2023 Dec 8:S0968-0004(23)00287-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.11.003. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTGene expression is a complex process requiring many control mechanisms to achieve a desired phenotype. DNA accessibility within chromatin is well established as an important determinant of gene expression. By contrast, while mRNA also associates with a complement of proteins, the exact nature of messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) packaging and its functional relevance is not as clear. Recent reports indicate that exon junction complex (EJC)-mediated mRNP packaging renders exon junction-proximal regions inaccessible for m6A methylation, and that EJCs reside within the inaccessible interior of globular transcription and export (TREX) complex-associated nuclear mRNPs. We propose that 'mRNA accessibility' within mRNPs is an important determinant of gene expression that may modulate the specificity of a broad array of regulatory processes including but not limited to m6A methylation.PMID:38071089 | DOI:10.1016/j.tibs.2023.11.003

Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - December 9, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Authors: P Cody He Chuan He Source Type: research