Processing bodies (also called GW or Dcp bodies) are regions within the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell consisting of many enzymes involved in mRNA turnover. P bodies are likely the site of miRNA action, as miRNA-targeted mRNAs are recruited to P bodies and degraded or sequestered from translational machinery.

The following activities of p-bodies were demonstrated:

• degrade unwanted mRNAs that lack a 5' cap
• store mRNA until needed for translation
• aid in translational repression by miRNAs (related to siRNAs)

New evidence by Hoyle et al suggests a novel site termed EGP bodies may be responsible for mRNA storage as these sites lack the decapping enzyme.

References

• Jean Marx "P-Bodies Mark the Spot for Controlling Protein Production.". Science magazine. Retrieved on 2006-09-10..

Further reading

• Eulalio, Ana.; Behm-Ansmant, Isabelle. Izaurralde, Elisa. (2007). "P bodies: at the crossroads of post-transcriptional pathways". Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 8 (1): 9-22.