Constitutive decay element-containing messenger RNA (CDE-containing mRNA)

Messenger RNAs containing a constitutive decay element are transcripts that include specific sequence motifs—termed constitutive decay elements (CDEs)—typically found in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR). These motifs promote rapid and constitutive mRNA degradation, independently of the classical AU-rich elements (AREs)[1][2][3][4][5]. The best-studied example is TNF-α mRNA, in which the CDE, distinct from AREs, ensures that the message is short-lived, avoiding excessive protein (e.g., cytokine) production. The principal molecular mechanism involves recognition of the stem-loop CDE motif by the ROQ domain of Roquin family RNA-binding proteins; this interaction targets the mRNA for decay and is important in the post-transcriptional regulation of inflammation and immune responses[1][2][3][4]. Clarification: This is not a protein, enzyme, transporter, or receptor, but rather a class of mRNA transcripts defined by the presence of a sequence element involved in post-transcriptional regulation[1][2][3]. As such, it is not a direct therapeutic target itself, but elements of the CDE or the proteins interacting with it—most notably Roquin—are sometimes considered therapeutic targets in inflammation or autoimmune disease research[1]. The entry is thus not appropriate as a conventional drug target entry, but is biologically significant as a cis-regulatory RNA motif.

Other names

Constitutive decay element mRNACDE-mRNAMessenger RNA with constitutive decay element