Project description:Uridine insertion/deletion editing of mitochondrial mRNAs in kinetoplastids entails the coordinated action of three complexes. RNA Editing Catalytic Complexes (RECCs) catalyze the enzymatic reactions, while the RNA Editing Substrate Binding Complex (RESC) and RNA Editing Helicase 1 Complex coordinate interactions between RECCs, mRNAs, and hundreds of gRNAs that direct edited sequences. Additionally, numerous auxiliary factors are required for productive editing of specific mRNAs. Here, we elucidate the role of KRBP72, an editing auxiliary factor of the ABC ATPase family that exhibits RNA binding activity. In procyclic form T. brucei, KRBP72 knockdown leads to a pause in editing at the base of a predicted stem loop structure in ATP synthase subunit 6 (A6) mRNA. Enhanced cross-linking and affinity purification revealed KRBP72 binding sites both within and upstream of this stem loop. KRBP72 ATPase activity is essential for its A6 mRNA editing function; however, its RNA binding activity is dispensable. KRBP72 interacts with most RESC proteins in an RNA-dependent manner. By contrast, RESC12A associates with KRBP72 in an RNA-independent fashion, and RESC12A strongly promotes KRBP72’s interaction with RNA. Hence, KRBP72 ATPase activity facilitates the progression of editing through a challenging RNA secondary structure, highlighting this protein’s crucial role in A6 mRNA editing.
Project description:The bacterial transcription factor RpoN regulates an extensive network of genes whose products are involved in diverse biological functions. We constructed a small peptide termed the RpoN molecular roadblock, which binds to and blocks transcription from RpoN promoters. This RpoN molecular roadblock can be used in any bacterium to obtain information on the RpoN regulon. We expressed the RpoN molecular roadblock in P. aeruginosa PAO1 and used microarrays to identify genes that were differentially transcribed due to the RpoN molecular roadblock. The RpoN molecular roadblock was expressed in P. aeruginosa PAO1 in mid-exponential phase in rich media. Total RNA was isolated and prepped for Affymetrix GeneChips.
Project description:Sensory neuron mechanically-activated slowly adapting currents have been linked to noxious mechanosensation. We identified a Conotoxin, Noxious Mechanosensation Blocker -1, that blocks such currents selectively. Using an active biotinylated form of the toxin we identified 67 binding proteins in sensory neurons and sensory neuron-derived cell lines using mass spectrometry. Annexin A6 was the most frequently identified binding protein. Annexin A6 knockout mice showed an enhanced sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. Rapidly adapting currents were enhanced and slowly adapting channels diminished. The percentage of neurons expressing slowly adapting currents fell and non-responsive neurons increased. Conversely, overexpression of annexin A6 in DRG neurons inhibited rapidly adapting currents without effects on slowly adapting currents. Co-expression of annexin A6 with Piezo 2 led to an inhibition of Piezo-mediated rapidly adapting currents. AAV-mediated gene delivery of annexin A6 to sensory neurons in a mouse model of osteoarthritis attenuated mechanical pain. These data demonstrate a role for annexin A6 in somatosensory mechanotransduction.
Project description:The bacterial transcription factor RpoN regulates an extensive network of genes whose products are involved in diverse biological functions. We constructed a small peptide termed the RpoN molecular roadblock, which binds to and blocks transcription from RpoN promoters. This RpoN molecular roadblock can be used in any bacterium to obtain information on the RpoN regulon. We expressed the RpoN molecular roadblock in P. aeruginosa PAO1 and used microarrays to identify genes that were differentially transcribed due to the RpoN molecular roadblock.
Project description:Centromeres are the chromosomal loci essential for faithful chromosome segregation during cell division. Although centromeres are transcribed and produce non-coding RNAs (cenRNAs) that affect centromere function, we still lack a mechanistic understanding of how centromere transcription is regulated. Here, using a targeted RNA isoform sequencing approach, we identified the transcriptional landscape at and surrounding all centromeres in budding yeast. Overall, cenRNAs are derived from transcription readthrough of pericentromeric regions but rarely span the entire centromere and are a complex mixture of molecules that are heterogeneous in abundance, orientation, and sequence. While most pericentromeres are transcribed throughout the cell cycle, centromere accessibility to the transcription machinery is restricted to S-phase. This temporal restriction is dependent on Cbf1, a centromere-binding transcription factor, that we demonstrate acts locally as a transcriptional roadblock. Cbf1 deletion leads to an accumulation of cenRNAs at all phases of the cell cycle which correlates with increased chromosome mis-segregation that is partially rescued when the roadblock activity is restored. We propose that a Cbf1-mediated transcriptional roadblock protects yeast centromeres from untimely transcription to ensure genomic stability.