Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : Cellular RNAs are invariably organized in ribonucleoprotein particles, or RNPs, regardless of their size, structure or function. RNPs are monitored by active surveillance mechanisms for their structural and functional integrity at every single step of their "life". A limited number of key endoRNase and/or exoRNase activities are recruited to multiple metabolic pathways by specific adaptors. These trans-acting factors are often endowed with synthesis activities in the formation of mature RNA termini, as well as degradation and surveillance activities. Quality control mechanisms are robust because they are partially redundant. The actual mechanisms that discriminate aberrant RNAs from normal RNAs are still loosely defined. Surveillance is essential to cellular homeostasis and has been linked to several human diseases.