RNA Binding Proteins

This book covers a part of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and provides a stimulating overview of RNA binding proteins and their highly diverse and versatile function. It addresses the localization of mRNA, an emerging aspect of gene expression control.

Gene expression in eukaryotes is regulated at different levels, which need to be coordinated to implement the information in the genome. Now it is clear that post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression such as pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA transport, editing, turnover and translation are as important as the control of transcription. In all aspects of post-transcriptional gene regulation a crucial role for RNA binding proteins (RBPs) has been documented. In fact, RNA polymerase II transcripts are accompanied by the RBPs from the start of the transcription until they are degraded in the cytoplasm.

The contributing authors of this book provide informative and well-illustrated chapters, addressing different aspects of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and providing a stimulating overview of RBPs and their highly diverse and versatile function.