Regulation of mRNA translation in renal physiology and disease

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas Translation, a process of generating a peptide from the codons present in messenger RNA, can be a site of independent regulation of protein synthesis; it has not been well studied in the kidney. Translation occurs in three stages (initiation, elongation, and termination), each with its own set of regulatory factors. Mechanisms controlling translation include small inhibitory RNAs such as microRNAs, binding proteins, and signaling reactions. Role of translation in renal injury in diabetes, endoplasmic reticulum stress, acute kidney injury, and, in physiological adaptation to loss of nephrons is reviewed here. Contribution of mRNA translation to physiology and disease is not well understood. Because it is involved in such diverse areas as development and cancer, it should prove a fertile field for investigation in renal science. protein synthesis; signaling regulation; diabetic nephropathy; compensatory renal hypertrophy; endoplasmic reticulum stress Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: B. S. Kasinath, Division of Nephrology, Dept. of Medicine, Univ. of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229-3900 (e-mail: kasinath{at}uthscsa.edu ).