Cytoplasmic polyadenylation in NIH3T3 cells

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Regulation of gene expression determines the level of specific proteins in a cell and can be controlled in many ways to allow processes such as growth and the prevention of disease. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is a form of this regulation by which the production of protein from an mRNA can be controlled. It is very important in eggs and has also been detected in the brain. However it is not clear whether it plays a role in any other types of cells. We have recently shown that cytoplasmic polyadenylation also occurs when fibroblasts attach to a new surface. Fibroblasts are skin cells and their attachement contributes to skin healing. Fibroblasts are much less specialised than eggs or brain cells, indicating that regulation by cytoplasmic polyadenylation may be a general phenomenon. We are now planning to investigate how widespread cytoplasmic polyadenylation is in fibroblasts and what proteins are required for this process. The data gathered in this project will ultimately have relevance for many medical problems, such as wound healing and the spreading of cancer cells through the body.