Abstract
Cells have evolved to regulate the asymmetric distribution of specific mRNA targets to institute spatial and temporal control over gene expression. Over the last few decades, evidence has mounted as to the importance of localization elements in the mRNA sequence and their respective RNA-binding proteins. Live imaging methodologies have shown mechanistic details of this phenomenon. In this minireview, we focus on the advanced biochemical and cell imaging techniques used to tweeze out the finer aspects of mechanisms of mRNA movement.
Highlights
MRNA transport and cytoplasmic compartmentalization of protein synthesis allow precise control over spatial and temporal gene expression and are essential for survival and response to extracellular cues
Another example is the myelin basic protein mRNA, which requires an 11-nucleotide element in its 3Ј-UTR that is recognized by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 to be properly transported in oligodendrocytes [23]
It has become evident that localization of mRNAs within cells is a widespread and evolutionarily conserved strategy for asymmetric distribution and concentration of messenger ribonucleoprotein particle (mRNP) complexes at specific sites
Summary
MRNA localization is directed by cis-acting localization elements (LEs), known as zipcodes, typically present in the 3Ј-UTR of the transcript (Fig. 1, panel IV) These cis-acting regulatory sequences can range from a few nucleotides to Ͼ1 kb in length and are recognized by diverse families of RBPs. Some mRNAs have all the information required for successful localization in a simple element. Biochemical and structural characterization of this -actin zipcode led to the identification of a bipartite LE within 28 nucleotides that is recognized by ZBP1 (zipcodebinding protein 1; see “-Actin mRNA: The Targeted mRNA”) [21, 22] Another example is the myelin basic protein mRNA, which requires an 11-nucleotide element (called A2RE) in its 3Ј-UTR that is recognized by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2 to be properly transported in oligodendrocytes [23]. A clear pattern in zipcode primary sequence or structure has not yet emerged, indicating the heterogeneity of these motifs (extensively reviewed in Ref. 29)
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