Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in Neurons
The 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of mRNAs serve as hubs for post-transcriptional control as the targets of microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Sequences in 3′ UTRs confer alterations in mRNA stability, direct mRNA localization to subcellular regions, and impart translational con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/10/3413 |
| _version_ | 1797568229439176704 |
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| author | Bongmin Bae Pedro Miura |
| author_facet | Bongmin Bae Pedro Miura |
| author_sort | Bongmin Bae |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of mRNAs serve as hubs for post-transcriptional control as the targets of microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Sequences in 3′ UTRs confer alterations in mRNA stability, direct mRNA localization to subcellular regions, and impart translational control. Thousands of mRNAs are localized to subcellular compartments in neurons—including axons, dendrites, and synapses—where they are thought to undergo local translation. Despite an established role for 3′ UTR sequences in imparting mRNA localization in neurons, the specific RNA sequences and structural features at play remain poorly understood. The nervous system selectively expresses longer 3′ UTR isoforms via alternative polyadenylation (APA). The regulation of APA in neurons and the neuronal functions of longer 3′ UTR mRNA isoforms are starting to be uncovered. Surprising roles for 3′ UTRs are emerging beyond the regulation of protein synthesis and include roles as RBP delivery scaffolds and regulators of alternative splicing. Evidence is also emerging that 3′ UTRs can be cleaved, leading to stable, isolated 3′ UTR fragments which are of unknown function. Mutations in 3′ UTRs are implicated in several neurological disorders—more studies are needed to uncover how these mutations impact gene regulation and what is their relationship to disease severity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:53:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-582ae32361644d9bbd4b607a0fab1727 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:53:29Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-582ae32361644d9bbd4b607a0fab17272023-11-20T00:09:28ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672020-05-012110341310.3390/ijms21103413Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in NeuronsBongmin Bae0Pedro Miura1Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USADepartment of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USAThe 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of mRNAs serve as hubs for post-transcriptional control as the targets of microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Sequences in 3′ UTRs confer alterations in mRNA stability, direct mRNA localization to subcellular regions, and impart translational control. Thousands of mRNAs are localized to subcellular compartments in neurons—including axons, dendrites, and synapses—where they are thought to undergo local translation. Despite an established role for 3′ UTR sequences in imparting mRNA localization in neurons, the specific RNA sequences and structural features at play remain poorly understood. The nervous system selectively expresses longer 3′ UTR isoforms via alternative polyadenylation (APA). The regulation of APA in neurons and the neuronal functions of longer 3′ UTR mRNA isoforms are starting to be uncovered. Surprising roles for 3′ UTRs are emerging beyond the regulation of protein synthesis and include roles as RBP delivery scaffolds and regulators of alternative splicing. Evidence is also emerging that 3′ UTRs can be cleaved, leading to stable, isolated 3′ UTR fragments which are of unknown function. Mutations in 3′ UTRs are implicated in several neurological disorders—more studies are needed to uncover how these mutations impact gene regulation and what is their relationship to disease severity.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/10/34133′ UTRalternative polyadenylationlocal translationRNA-binding proteinRNA-sequencingpost-transcriptional regulation |
| spellingShingle | Bongmin Bae Pedro Miura Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in Neurons International Journal of Molecular Sciences 3′ UTR alternative polyadenylation local translation RNA-binding protein RNA-sequencing post-transcriptional regulation |
| title | Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in Neurons |
| title_full | Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in Neurons |
| title_fullStr | Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in Neurons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in Neurons |
| title_short | Emerging Roles for 3′ UTRs in Neurons |
| title_sort | emerging roles for 3 utrs in neurons |
| topic | 3′ UTR alternative polyadenylation local translation RNA-binding protein RNA-sequencing post-transcriptional regulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/10/3413 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bongminbae emergingrolesfor3utrsinneurons AT pedromiura emergingrolesfor3utrsinneurons |