Regulation of posttranscriptional events by RNA-binding proteins

Abstract

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate a plethora of cellular processes in a dynamic and spatiotemporal manner. Most of the hallmarks of cancer including the sustained proliferation of cells, resisting the cell death by apoptosis, evading the surveillance by immune system, inducing tumor-angiogenesis, and activation of metastasis and invasion are related to the deregulation of RBP-mediated processes. The underlying mechanisms leading to cancer development and progression mediated by RBPs are not well understood. RBPs are one of the major regulators of posttranscriptional events linked with almost every aspect of RNA metabolism. The alterations in posttranscriptional events are known to play an important part in the maintenance and regulation of the hallmark features of cancer. In this chapter, we will discuss the crucial role of RBPs in orchestrating various posttranscriptional events associated to RNA metabolism and the effect of their deregulation in the development and progression of cancer.