Figure 1
From: Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay: from vacuum cleaner to Swiss army knife
The role of NMD. (a) Until recently the role of NMD has been predominantly seen as that of a cellular 'vacuum cleaner' that rids the cell of erroneous mRNAs. (b) Now a more sophisticated picture of NMD is emerging - a highly specific and delicate multipurpose tool that contributes at multiple levels to the control and balance of physiological gene expression.