A nuclear RNA is cut out for translation.

In this issue of Cell, Prasanth et al. (2005) provide evidence that an inosine-containing RNA that is normally retained in the nucleus is cleaved within its 3' untranslated region following cellular stress. It is then transported to the cytoplasm and translated into protein. These findings suggest that the nucleus may store RNAs destined for translation that then can be released, as needed, in response to specific cellular signals.