The Long Tail of mRNA Regulation.

Long stretches of RNA trail after the coding region in most eukaryotic mRNAs. These 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) hold the key for many aspects of regulated gene expression, influencing mRNA stability, protein synthesis, and ultimately protein function. Lara Szewczak asked Rachel Green, Ian Macrae, and Christine Mayr about how dynamic regulation by proteins and microRNAs works within 3' UTRs. An annotated excerpt of the conversation appears below, and the full conversation is available with the article online.