Processing bodies and plant development

Abstract

Processing bodies (P-bodies) contain RNA-protein complexes linked to cytoplasmic RNA decay pathways including mRNA decapping, nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) and small RNA-mediated decay. Plants deficient in P-body components display severe developmental perturbations, suggesting that these cytoplasmic bodies play important roles in regulating gene expression during plant development. Here, we summarize recent progress in the genetic dissection of P-body components and their roles in translational repression and mRNA decapping.