AU-rich element binding proteins

AU-rich element binding proteins are specialized proteins that regulate the stability and decay of certain messenger RNAs (mRNAs) within cells. These mRNAs contain specific regions rich in adenine (A) and uracil (U) nucleotides, called AU-rich elements (AREs), which influence how long the mRNA persists before being broken down. The binding proteins attach to these AREs, either stabilizing the mRNA to promote protein production or marking it for degradation to prevent overproduction. This process helps cells precisely control the levels of important proteins involved in immune responses, inflammation, and cell growth.