Regulation of lymphocyte development and function by RNA-binding proteins

Lymphocyte development requires cells to progress through a series of stages, each associated with changes in gene expression. Intense effort has been invested into characterising the dynamic networks of transcription factors underlying these regulated changes. Whilst transcription factors determine the tempo at which mRNA is produced, recent results highlight the importance of the selective regulation of mRNA decay and translation in regulating gene expression. These processes are regulated by sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins (RBP) as well as noncoding RNA such as microRNAs. RNA-binding proteins are emerging as important regulators of cell fate and function in both developing and mature lymphocytes. At the molecular level the function of RNA-binding proteins is integrated with signal transduction pathways that also govern gene transcription.

► RBP influence gene expression by controlling rates of mRNA translation and decay.
► RBP activity is determined by phosphorylation downstream of cell surface receptors.
► RBP are emerging as crucial regulators of lymphoid development and differentiation.
► RBP characteristically regulate the expression of coordinated networks of mRNAs.
► New technologies now enable global study of the influence RBP on gene expression.