Control of eukaryotic protein synthesis by upstream open reading frames in the 5'-untranslated region of an mRNA

Hedda A Meijer, Adri A M Thomas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Control of gene expression is achieved at various levels. Translational control becomes crucial in the absence of transcription, such as occurs in early developmental stages. One of the initiating events in translation is that the 40 S subunit of the ribosome binds the mRNA at the 5'-cap structure and scans the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) for AUG initiation codons. AUG codons upstream of the main open reading frame can induce formation of a translation-competent ribosome that may translate and (i) terminate and re-initiate, (ii) terminate and leave the mRNA, resulting in down-regulation of translation of the main open reading frame, or (iii) synthesize an N-terminally extended protein. In the present review we discuss how upstream AUGs can control the expression of the main open reading frame, and a comparison is made with other elements in the 5'-UTR that control mRNA translation, such as hairpins and internal ribosome entry sites. Recent data indicate the flexibility of controlling translation initiation, and how the mode of ribosome entry on the mRNA as well as the elements in the 5'-UTR can accurately regulate the amount of protein synthesized from a specific mRNA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalBiochemical Journal
Volume367
Issue numberPt 1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Keywords

  • 5' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Codon
  • Down-Regulation
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Ribosomes
  • Transcription, Genetic

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Control of eukaryotic protein synthesis by upstream open reading frames in the 5'-untranslated region of an mRNA'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this