Plant terminators: the unsung heroes of gene expression

To be properly expressed, genes need to be accompanied by a terminator, a region downstream of the coding sequence that contains the information necessary for the maturation of the mRNA 3MODIFIER LETTER PRIME end. The main event in this process is the addition of a poly(A) tail at the 3MODIFIER LETTER PRIME end of the new transcript, a critical step in mRNA biology that has important consequences for the expression of genes. Here, we review the mechanism leading to cleavage and polyadenylation of newly transcribed mRNAs and how this process can affect the final levels of gene expression. We give special attention to an aspect often overlooked, the effect that different terminators can have on the expression of genes. We also discuss some exciting findings connecting the choice of terminator to the biogenesis of small RNAs, which are a central part of one of the most important mechanisms of regulation of gene expression in plants. The function of gene terminators goes beyond the formation of the mRNA 3MODIFIER LETTER PRIME end: they are a crucial element of gene expression and the production of regulatory small RNAs in plants.

Automated summary

To be properly expressed, genes require a terminator, a region downstream of the coding sequence that contains information for mRNA maturation. The addition of a poly(A) tail at the 3' end of the new transcript is a critical step in mRNA biology that affects gene expression levels. Different terminators can also impact gene expression and the production of regulatory small RNAs in plants, which are important for gene regulation.