AU-rich element-containing messenger RNA

AU-rich element-containing messenger RNAs harbor **adenylate-uridylate-rich elements (AREs)** within their 3′ untranslated regions, which confer regulatory properties by promoting rapid turnover or modulating translation of the mRNA[4][1][5][6][7]. These elements recruit RNA-binding proteins—such as AUF1, tristetraprolin (TTP), and Hu antigen R (HuR)—that can either destabilize and degrade the mRNA or stabilize it and enhance its translation[4][3][6][7]. Many genes critical for cell growth, immune responses, inflammation, and stress responses are regulated post-transcriptionally via these AREs[5][6][7]. Misregulation of ARE-containing mRNAs is implicated in diseases such as cancer, chronic inflammation, and cardiovascular and autoimmune conditions[6][4]. While not a direct therapeutic target, the ARE regulatory system is an important focus for drug development that aims to modulate the stability of disease-related transcripts by targeting their binding proteins. "AU-rich element-containing mRNA" is a descriptive class of mRNAs regulated via short AU-rich sequences in their 3′ UTR that dictate their stability and translation through interaction with RNA-binding proteins, playing essential roles in many physiological and pathological processes[4][1][5][6][7]. It is not itself a canonical molecular target for drugs.

Other names

AU-rich mRNAARE-containing mRNAadenylate-uridylate-rich element-containing mRNA