Polyadenylation: Alternative lifestyles of the A-rich (and famous)

Abstract

Alternative polyadenylation has a major function in gene expression and is often mediated through signals that lack canonical signatures. In this issue, Nunes et al (2010) uncover a new upstream A-rich sequence element that in conjunction with a strong U/GU-rich downstream element may be responsible for up to a third of polyadenylation events in mammalian cells that are not mediated by a canonical AAUAAA hexamer. © 2010 European Molecular Biology Organization.