RNA binding protein and mRNA complex. Computer model showing the molecular structure of Poly(A)-binding protein (PABP, orange-green) bound to a polyadenylate mRNA (messenger RNA, blue-green) molecule. Polyadenylate RNA is RNA that has the addition of a poly(A) tail. PABP recognizes the poly(A) tail and binds to the RNA molecule. It plays a critical role in the initiation of gene translation, and mRNA stabilisation/degradation in eukaryote cells.