Fig. 8. Proposed mechanisms involving RNA-binding proteins in the regulation of the αENaC mRNA expression. The αENaC 3'UTR plays an important role in the modulation of αENaC mRNA stability through a complex stabilizing and destabilizing interplay between different regions of the 3'UTR. The αENaC 3'UTR can bind several RNA-binding proteins that modulate αENaC mRNA expression. hnRNPK inhibits αENaC mRNA expression by downregulating promoter activity. Dhx36 and Tial1 modulate the stability of the transcript through the proximal region of the αENaC 3'UTR.