Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element

The cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE) is a sequence element found in the 3' untranslated region of messenger RNA. Binding of CPE binding protein to this region promotes the extension of the polyadenine tail and, in general, activation of the mRNA for protein translation. Among other functions, a prominent role for the CPE has been identified in oogenesis and spermatogenesis.