Alternative mRNA transcription, processing, and translation: insights from RNA sequencing.

Alternative mRNA transcription, processing, and translation: insights from RNA sequencing.
Trends Genet. 2015 Jan 30;
Authors: de Klerk E, 't Hoen PA
Abstract
The human transcriptome comprises >80000 protein-coding transcripts and the estimated number of proteins synthesized from these transcripts is in the range of 250000 to 1 million. These transcripts and proteins are encoded by less than 20000 genes, suggesting extensive regulation at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational level. Here we review how RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies have increased our understanding of the mechanisms that give rise to alternative transcripts and their alternative translation. We highlight four different regulatory processes: alternative transcription initiation, alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation, and alternative translation initiation. We discuss their transcriptome-wide distribution, their impact on protein expression, their biological relevance, and the possible molecular mechanisms leading to their alternative regulation. We conclude with a discussion of the coordination and the interdependence of these four regulatory layers.
PMID: 25648499 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Trends in Genetics : TIG - January 30, 2015 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: de Klerk E, 't Hoen PA Tags: Trends Genet Source Type: research