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Schlagwörter:
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Zusammenfassung:
Cellular function is shaped by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, including alternative polyadenylation (APA). By directly controlling 3′- untranslated region (UTR) length and the selection of the last exon, APA regulates up to 70% of all cellular transcripts influencing RNA stability, output, and protein isoform expression. Cell-state-dependent 3′-UTR shortening has been identified as a hallmark of cellular proliferation. Hence, quiescent/dormant stem cells are characterized by long 3′-UTRs, whereas proliferative stem/progenitor cells exhibit 3′-UTR shortening. Here, the latest studies analyzing the role of APA in regulating stem cell state, self-renewal, differentiation, and metabolism are reviewed. The new role of APA in controlling stem cell fate opens novel potential therapeutic avenues in the field of regenerative medicine.
