AU-rich element (ARE) motifs are cis-acting elements present in the 3′UTR of mRNA transcripts that encode many inflammation-and cancer-associated genes. The TIS11 family of RNA-binding proteins, composed of TTP, BRF-1, and BRF-2 play a critical role in regulating the expression of ARE-containing mRNAs. Through their ability to bind and target ARE-containing mRNAs for rapid degradation, this class of RNA-binding proteins serves a fundamental role in limiting the expression of a number of critical genes, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Regulation of TIS11 family members occurs on a number of levels through cellular signaling events to control their transcription, mRNA turnover, phosphorylation status, cellular localization, association with other proteins, and proteosomal degradation, all of which impact TIS11 members' ability to promote ARE-mediated mRNA decay along with decay-independent functions. This review summarizes our current understanding of post-transcriptional regulation of ARE-containing gene expression by TIS11 family members and discuss their role in maintaining normal physiological processes and the pathological consequences in their absence.
KeywordsTristetraprolin; Butyrate Response Factor; AU-rich element; mRNA decay; post-transcriptional regulation Messenger RNA turnover is a tightly regulated process that is critical in controlling mammalian gene expression. The importance of this level of regulation is evident in a variety of diseases where loss of post-transcriptional gene regulation directly contributes to the overexpression of many genes encoding growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, and proto-oncogenes [1,2]. A characteristic feature present within the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of these mRNAs is the adenylate-and uridylate (AU)-rich element (ARE). The significance of this conserved cis-acting RNA element is apparent in its frequency since it is currently estimated that approximately 8% of the human transcriptome contains AREs [3]. A primary function of the ARE is to target specific mRNAs for rapid decay through interaction with trans-acting RNA-binding proteins. Initially discovered in 1989 [4], the tristetraprolin (TTP) protein and its related family members butyrate response factors 1 and 2 (BRF-1 and * Correspondence: Dan A. Dixon, Department of Biological Sciences and Cancer Research Center, University of South Carolina, 712 Main St., Jones Physical Sciences Center, Room 614, Columbia, SC 29208, ddixon@biol.sc.edu, Tel: 803-777-4686; Fax: 803-777-1173 .
Cross-ReferencesOverview -RNA decay as a major mediator of gene expression and QC Overview -RNA decay in bacteria and eukaryotes Cis acting elements that regulate mRNA decay Networking between mRNA decay and other cellular processes RNA-binding domains-Zn-F Mechanisms of deadenylation-dependent decay Stress granules and P bodies NIH Public Access
Author ManuscriptWiley Interdiscip Rev RNA. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 January 28.
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