Disclosed are nucleic acid sequences which, when present in an RNA molecule, bind to RNA binding proteins. These nucleic acid sequences are present in untranslated regions of certain mRNA. They can be used in assays to identify compounds that affect the interaction of RNA containing the nucleic acid sequence, such as the source mRNA, and RNA binding proteins. The disclosed nucleic acid sequences can also be used to identify RNA binding proteins that can interact with the sequences. An assay for identifying compounds that affect interaction of RNA containing one of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences and RNA binding proteins is also disclosed. The assay involves detecting interactions between RNA binding proteins and an RNA molecule containing one of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences in the presence of a test compound and in the absence of the test compound. A difference in the detected interaction in the presence and absence of the test compound indicates that the compound affects the interaction. The identified compounds can be used to affect the interaction of RNA binding proteins with mRNA containing the nucleic acid sequences or related sequences.