m RNA Stability

Abstract

The steady‐state level of a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is determined by both its rate of synthesis and degradation. The degradation of mRNA is an important tool employed by cells to control gene expression and to adjust the level of protein synthesis in response to physiological needs or environmental signals. The degradation of mRNA in all organisms is mastered by a rather restricted number of enzymes with major (endo‐ and exoribonucleases) and ancillary (e.g. RNA helicases) functions. Some of these enzymes are phylogenetically conserved across the three domains of life – bacteria, archaea and eukarya. Moreover, the main components of the RNA decay machinery can associate with each other to form multienzyme complexes, which enable to coordinate and control mRNA decay in vivo . This review provides a brief overview on the major factors and mechanisms involved in bacterial and eukaryal mRNA degradation. Key Concepts: The stability of individual mRNAs varies and is dependent on intrinsic properties (i.e. specific structure and sequence) of transcripts. The enzymes and factors involved in mRNA decay in prokaryotes and eukaryotes can associate with each other to form multienzyme complexes such as degradosomes or exosomes Mechanisms of mRNA decay in pro‐ and eukaryotes share many common steps. Pro‐ and eukaryotic cells use specific mechanisms to eliminate defective mRNAs. Numerous noncoding RNAs control mRNA decay in pro‐ and eukaryotes.