Novel roles of the CCR4–NOT complex

The CCR4–NOT complex is a multi‐subunit protein complex evolutionarily conserved across eukaryotes which regulates several aspects of gene expression. A fascinating model is emerging in which this complex acts as a regulation platform, controlling gene products ‘from birth to death’ through the coordination of different cellular machineries involved in diverse cellular functions. Recently the CCR4–NOT functions have been extended to the control of the innate immune response through the regulation of interferon signaling. Thus, a more comprehensive picture of how CCR4–NOT allows the rapid adaptation of cells to external stress, from transcription to mRNA and protein decay, is presented and discussed here. Overall, CCR4–NOT permits the efficient and rapid adaptation of cellular gene expression in response to changes in environmental conditions and stimuli. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:883–901. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1254 This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms