The Pioneer Round of Translation: Features and Functions

In mammalian cells, newly synthesized mRNAs undergo a pioneer round of translation that is important for mRNA quality control. Following maturation of messenger ribonucleoprotein particles during and after the pioneer round, steady-state cycles of mRNA translation generate most of the cell's proteins. Translation factors, RNA-binding proteins, and targets of signaling pathways that are particular to newly synthesized mRNAs regulate critical functions of the pioneer round.