mRNA Export and Its Dysregulation in Disease

Abstract

The nucleocytoplasmic export of transcripts is a major effector of protein expression. mRNA export is no longer considered a simple conduit linking transcription and translation. Indeed, there are multiple mRNA export pathways which enable export of different subsets of transcripts enabling alterations to the proteomic programme in the absence of altered transcription. These pathways are both regulated by and able to modulate signal transduction. Dysregulation of mRNA export occurs in a myriad of pathologies. In this chapter, different aspects of these pathways are discussed including the basic mechanisms underlying mRNA export, the principles that permit selection of groups of transcripts, the dysregulation in different diseases and strategies to target these pathways in patients.