[3][2] ARE-directed mRNA degradation is influenced by many exogenous factors, including phorbol esters, calcium ionophores, cytokines, and transcription inhibitors.
These observations suggest that AREs play a critical role in the regulation of gene transcription during cell growth and differentiation, and the immune response.
This lies within a 50–150 base sequence, repeats of the core AUUUA element are often required for function.
[7] HuD (also called ELAVL4) binds to AREs and increases the half-life of ARE-bearing mRNAs in neurons during brain development and plasticity.
[8] AREsite—a database for ARE containing genes—has recently been developed with the aim to provide detailed bioinformatic characterization of AU-rich elements.
[12] Alternatively, HuR proteins have a stabilizing effect—their binding to AREs increases the half-life of mRNAs.