Eukaryotic mRNA decapping factors: molecular mechanisms and activity

Abstract

Decapping is the enzymatic removal of 5′ cap structures from mRNAs in eukaryotic cells. Cap structures normally enhance mRNA translation and stability, and their excision commits an mRNA to complete 5′–3′ exoribonucleolytic digestion and generally ends the physical and functional cellular presence of the mRNA. Decapping plays a pivotal role in eukaryotic cytoplasmic mRNA turnover and is a critical and highly regulated event in multiple 5′–3′ mRNA decay pathways, including general 5′–3′ decay, nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD), AU‐rich element‐mediated mRNA decay, microRNA‐mediated gene silencing, and targeted transcript‐specific mRNA decay. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mRNA decapping is carried out by a single Dcp1‐Dcp2 decapping enzyme in concert with the accessory activities of specific regulators commonly known as decapping activators or enhancers. These regulatory proteins include the general decapping activators Edc1, 2, and 3, Dhh1, Scd6, Pat1, and the Lsm1‐7 complex, as well as the NMD‐specific factors, Upf1, 2, and 3. Here, we focus on in vivo mRNA decapping regulation in yeast. We summarize recently uncovered molecular mechanisms that control selective targeting of the yeast decapping enzyme and discuss new roles for specific decapping activators in controlling decapping enzyme targeting, assembly of target‐specific decapping complexes, and the monitoring of mRNA translation. Further, we discuss the kinetic contribution of mRNA decapping for overall decay of different substrate mRNAs and highlight experimental evidence pointing to the functional coordination and physical coupling between events in mRNA deadenylation, decapping, and 5′–3′ exoribonucleolytic decay.