Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay is the first book devoted to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) The rationale for such a book is the enormous information that studies of NMD have provided on the intricacies of post-transcriptional gene expression. The first five sections of the book are divided according to organism and begin with chapters on S. cerevisiae and mammals, from which most NMD data derive. Chapters within these sections discuss the two basic ways cells differentiate between a termination codon that elicits NMD and one that does not. Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay makes clear that studies of NMD provide a unique opportunity to examine the coupling of mRNA translation and decay, and relationships between mRNP structure and function. The importance of NMD is evident from descriptions of its influence on the expression of genes that are essential for many cellular processes, including cell differentiation, cell maintenance and cell death. This book is, essentially, meant to be a one-stop source of information that fuels the fires of future experimentation.

Specific complexes of protein and RNA carry out many essential biological functions, including RNA processing, RNA turnover, and RNA folding, as well as the translation of genetic information from mRNA into protein sequences. Messenger RNA (mRNA) decay is now emerging as an important control point and a major contributor to gene expression. Continuing identification of the protein factors and cofactors and mRNA instability elements responsible for mRNA decay allow researchers to build a comprehensive picture of the highly orchestrated processes involved in mRNA decay and its regulation. * Covers the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) or mRNA surveillance pathway * Expert researchers introduce the most advanced technologies and techniques * Offers step-by-step lab instructions, including necessary equipment and reagents

During the last few years, tremendous progress has been made in understanding various aspects of pre-mRNA processing. This book, with contributions from leading scientists in this area, summarizes recent advances in nuclear pre-mRNA processing in plants. It provides researchers in the field, as well as those in related areas, with an up-to-date and comprehensive, yet concise, overview of the current status and future potential of this research in understanding plant biology.

Providing critical analysis of emerging and well-established topics, this book is essential reading for anyone wanting to keep up to date with the literature on photochemistry and its applications. Volume 49 combines reviews on the latest advances in photochemical research with specific highlights in the field. The first section includes periodical reports of the recent literature on physical and inorganic aspects, including reviews of the molecules employed as dyes in art, light induced reactions in cryogenic matrices, photobiological systems studied by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and photophysics, and photochemistry of transition metal complexes. This selection is completed by reviews of the literature on solar photocatalysis for water decontamination and disinfection and for water splitting/hydrogen production. Coverage continues in the second part with highlighted topics, from the use of aromatic carbonyls as photocatalysts and photoinitiators in synthesis, photoinduced and photocatalysed decarboxylation reactions, development of dye-sensitized solar cells, design of luminescent water-soluble systems, and applications of plasmonic nanoparticles. This volume also includes a third section entitled ‘SPR Lectures on Photochemistry’, where leading scientists in photochemistry provide examples to introduce a photochemical topic to academic readers, offering precious assistance to students in this field.

mRNA METABOLISM & POST-TRANSCRIPTIONAL GENE REGULATION Edited by Joe B. Harford and David R. Morris Gene expression is a process that begins with the transcription ofDNA to an RNA messenger (mRNA), which is then translated into aprotein. Historically, attention has been focused on the regulationof RNA synthesis (transcription); however, there is a growingrecognition of and appreciation for the importance of the manyregulatory mechanisms that take place after RNA synthesis has beencompleted. mRNA Metabolism and Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation is thefirst comprehensive overview of the various modes of generegulation that exist post-transcriptionally. Collecting studies bysome of the top researchers in the field, this volume provides bothan up-to-date review of the complex "life" of an mRNA molecule andan introduction to current work on the diversity of mechanisms ofpost-transcriptional reactions. Topics covered include: * RNA structure * Mammalian RNA editing * RNA export from the nucleus * The fundamentals of translation initiation * Control of mRNA decay in plants * mRNA metabolism and cancer * Control of mRNA stability during herpes simplex virus infection * Regulation of mRNA expression in HIV-1 and other complexretroviruses * Nucleases * RNA localization A timely contribution to the understanding of genetic regulatorymechanisms, mRNA Metabolism and Post-Transcriptional GeneRegulation provides a basis from which potential therapeuticstrategies may be developed. This book will be of vital interest tocell and molecular biologists at all levels, from graduate studentsto senior investigators, clinical researchers, and professionals inthe pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

This book presents an overview of the RNA networks controlling gene expression in fungi highlighting the remaining questions and future challenges in this area. It covers several aspects of the RNA-mediated mechanisms that regulate gene expression in model yeasts and filamentous fungi, organisms of great importance for industry, medicine and agriculture. It is estimated that there are more than one million fungal species on the Earth. Despite their diversity (saprophytic, parasitic and mutualistic), fungi share common features distinctive from plants and animals and have been grouped taxonomically as an independent eukaryotic kingdom. In this book, 15 chapters written by experts in their fields cover the RNA-dependent processes that take place in a fungal cell ranging from formation of coding and non-coding RNAs to mRNA translation, ribosomal RNA biogenesis, gene silencing, RNA editing and epigenetic regulation.