Messenger RNA 3′-end formation and the regulation of gene expression

Posttranscriptional control is important in the overall regulation of gene expression in plants. Such control may be manifested through numerous mechanisms such as RNA turnover, transport and/or sequestration, and differential translation. Many of these processes involve, in some manner, the 3′-untranslated region (or UTR) and polyadenylation signal of the gene. It follows that the nature of the 3′-UTR, and choice of polyadenylation site in genes with multiple sites, may play a role in the expression of a gene, with important physiological consequences. Consequently, the processes involved in alternative and regulated RNA polyadenylation, as well as generating 3′-UTR and 3′-end heterogeneity, are of considerable importance in terms of defining the expression profile of the plant genome.