The CPEB-family of proteins, translational control in senescence and cancer

► We review the mechanisms of translational control by the CPEB family of RNA-binding proteins. ► CPEBs regulate, cytoplasmically, the length of the poly(A) tail of hundreds of mRNAs. ► Functions of CPEBs include the balance between senescence and proliferation. ► CPEB4 activates the translation of pro-oncogenic mRNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinomas.