Untranslated region

For other uses, see UTR.
mRNA structure, approximately to scale for a human mRNA

In molecular genetics, an untranslated region (or UTR) refers to either of two sections, one on each side of a coding sequence on a strand of mRNA. If it is found on the 5' side, it is called the 5' UTR (or leader sequence), or if it is found on the 3' side, it is called the 3' UTR (or trailer sequence).

The untranslated areas of mRNA are non-protein-coding, meaning that their sequence is not read as codons that are related to a specific amino acids.

These often long sequences were once thought to be useless or junk DNA that has simply accumulated over evolutionary time. However, it is now known that the untranslated region of mRNA is involved in many regulatory aspects of gene expression in Eukaryotic organisms. The importance of these non-coding regions is supported by evolutionary reasoning, as there would be natural selection to eliminate unusable DNA.

An Untranslated Region can also include Introns within the pre-messenger RNA, which are removed by splicing to product the mature mRNA. Introns have also been discovered within the 5’ UTR.[1]

The importance of these untranslated regions of mRNA is just beginning to be understood. Various medical studies are being conducted that have found connections between mutations in untranslated regions and increased risk for developing a particular disease, such as cancer. For example, associations between polymorphisms in the HLA-G 3′UTR region and development of colorectal cancer have been discovered. [2] Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms 3' UTR has also been associated with susceptibility to preterm birth.[3] Mutations in the 3' UTR are also related to development of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. [4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Barrett, Lucy W.; Fletcher, Sue; Wilton, Steve D. (2013). Untranslated gene regions and other non-coding elements [electronic resource] : regulation of eukaryotic gene expression (PDF). New York: Springer. ISBN 3034806795.
  2. ↑ "E-Resource Login". doi:10.1111/iji.12243/full.
  3. ↑ Zhu, Qin; Chen, Ying; Dai, Jianrong; Wang, Benjing; Liu, Minjuan; Wang, Yun; Tao, Jianying; Li, Hong (2015-01-01). "Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms at 3'-untranslated region are associated with susceptibility to preterm birth". Translational Pediatrics 4 (1): 57–62. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2015.01.02. ISSN 2224-4344. PMC 4729064.
  4. ↑ "E-Resource Login". Retrieved 2016-02-06.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, February 13, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.