The structure of the 5'-untranslated region of mammalian poly(A) polymerase-alpha mRNA suggests a mechanism of translational regulation.

Poly(A)polymerase-alpha (PAPOLA) has been the most extensively investigated mammalian polyadenylating enzyme, mainly in regard to its multifaceted post-translational regulation. The possibility of translational regulation of this enzyme was addressed. The transcription start site was mapped and two uORFs, highly conserved among several species, were identified in the 211-bp long, GC-rich, 5' UTR of the PAPOLA mRNA.