SGER- Role of structural RNA in the organization of cellular cytoskeleton

SGER-结构RNA在细胞骨架组织中的作用

• 批准号: 0904186
• 负责人: Malgorzata Kloc-Stepkowska
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-04-15 至 2011-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0904186&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SGER; Role; structural; RNA; organization

In all cellular organisms the genetic information contained in DNA (chromosomes) is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), which then serves as a template for translation of the genetic code into protein. Thus, the primary function of mRNA is to serve as a template for protein synthesis. Recently, the applicant discovered a novel structural function of the Veg T mRNA in frog (Xenopus laevis) germ cells (oocytes). It was found that VegT mRNA also has a role in maintaining the integrity of the cytokeratin cytoskeleton of the cell. Experimental removal of this mRNA from oocytes results in the disruption of the cytoskeleton and leads to the abnormal development of embryos. These findings suggest that mRNA has, in addition to initiating protein synthesis, a structural function in the organization of the cellular cytoskeleton. The applicant will map the regions on the VegT mRNA, which are required for maintaining structural integrity of the cytoskeleton by using mutagenesis and X-ray microscopy/tomography imaging techniques. X-ray microscopy/tomography techniques allow much better resolution than light microscopy, and are not subject to the artifacts encountered with conventional electron microscopy. This conceptually novel discovery of a role for mRNA in maintaining the structural integrity of the cellular cytoskeleton establishes a new paradigm, and should open new frontiers in the study of RNA function. The involvement of high school, undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in this project, with the focus on the involvement of minority students, will ensure that these novel scientific concepts and methodologies will be disseminated among apprentices.

在所有细胞生物中，将DNA中包含的遗传信息（染色体）复制到Messenger RNA（mRNA）中，然后用作将遗传密码转化为蛋白质的模板。因此，mRNA的主要功能是作为蛋白质合成的模板。最近，申请人在青蛙（Xenopus laevis）生殖细胞（卵母细胞）中发现了VEG T mRNA的新结构功能。发现VEGT mRNA在维持细胞的细胞角蛋白细胞骨架的完整性方面也起作用。实验从卵母细胞中去除该mRNA会导致细胞骨架的破坏，并导致胚胎的异常发育。这些发现表明，除了启动蛋白质合成之外，mRNA还具有细胞细胞骨架组织中的结构功能。申请人将在VEGT mRNA上绘制区域，这是通过使用诱变和X射线显微镜/断层扫描成像技术维持细胞骨架的结构完整性所必需的。 X射线显微镜/断层扫描技术可以比光显微镜更好地分辨率，并且不受传统电子显微镜遇到的伪影。 从概念上讲，这种新发现在维持细胞骨骼的结构完整性方面的作用是建立新的范式，并应在RNA功能研究中开放新的边界。高中，本科生和研究生和博士后研究员的参与，重点是少数族裔学生的参与，将确保这些新颖的科学概念和方法论将在学徒之间传播。