Abstract
Under conditions of limited nutrients, eukaryotic cells reprogram protein expression in a way that slows growth but enhances survival. Recent data implicate stress granules, discrete cytoplasmic foci into which untranslated mRNPs are assembled during stress, in this process. In the October 1, 2011, issue of Genes & Development, Damgaard and Lykke-Andersen (p. 2057-2068) provide mechanistic insights into the regulation of a specific subset of mRNAs bearing 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine tracts (5'TOPs) by the structurally related stress granule proteins TIA-1 and TIAR.