A molecular doorstop ensures a trickle through translational repression.

Brook, Matthew; Smith, Richard W P; Gray, Nicola K · Cell · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Switching mRNA translation off and on is central to regulated gene expression, but what mechanisms moderate the extent of switch-off? Yao et al. describe how basal expression from interferon-gamma-induced transcripts is maintained during mRNA-specific translational repression. This antagonistic mechanism utilizes a truncated RNA-binding factor generated by a unique alternative polyadenylation event.