Interaction of LIN-28 and let-7 family microRNAs in the heterochronic pathway

异时通路中 LIN-28 和 let-7 家族 microRNA 的相互作用

• 批准号: 0924497
• 负责人: Eric Moss
• 金额: $ 60万
• 依托单位: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-11-15 至 2014-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0924497&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Interaction; LIN; 28; let; family

Intellectual merit: MicroRNAs are small regulatory molecules encoded in plant and animal genomes that control genes as organisms develop to maturity. By investigating microRNAs one will gain a deeper understanding of how development proceeds from genetic information - an understanding that is relevant to growth and health of diverse animals, including humans, livestock, and wild species. The larval development of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an exceptional model system for the study of microRNA function. At least five microRNAs and twelve proteins act together to control a succession of developmental events in the C. elegans larva. LIN-28 is one of these proteins and its molecular mechanism is not known. Many diverse animals possess a gene for LIN-28 which is believed to have many important developmental roles. A combination of molecular and genetic approaches will be employed to answer these specific questions: (1) Does C. elegans LIN-28 bind to and inhibit specific microRNA precursors? (2) Does LIN-28 act via these specific microRNAs to regulate development? (3) Are regulatory feedback circuits involving microRNAs part of a larval development control mechanism? The outcome of this work will be a more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms of these regulators, which will be relevant to other investigators in medical, veterinary, and ecological sciences.Broader impacts: The research will be performed by high school students, undergraduates, and doctoral candidates. Undergraduate students will be recruited from around the Philadelphia/Camden region to participate the research. High school students will spend afternoons working on independent aspects of the project in preparation for science fairs. The PI is committed to reaching underserved and underprivileged individuals for these opportunities. Doctoral candidates will present their findings at international scientific conferences. All strains and reagents generated will be shared freely with other investigators.

智力优势：MicroRNA是植物和动物基因组中编码的小调控分子，随着生物体发育成熟，它们控制基因。通过研究microRNA，人们将更深入地了解发育如何从遗传信息中进行-这与包括人类，牲畜和野生物种在内的各种动物的生长和健康有关。秀丽隐杆线虫的幼虫发育是研究microRNA功能的一个特殊模型系统。至少有5种microRNA和12种蛋白质共同作用，控制C.线虫幼虫LIN-28是这些蛋白质之一，其分子机制尚不清楚。许多不同的动物拥有LIN-28基因，据信LIN-28具有许多重要的发育作用。本文将结合分子生物学和遗传学的方法来回答以下问题：（1）C。线虫LIN-28结合并抑制特定的microRNA前体？(2)LIN-28是否通过这些特定的microRNA来调节发育？(3)microRNA调控反馈回路是幼虫发育控制机制的一部分吗？这项工作的结果将是一个更完整的了解这些监管机构的分子机制，这将是相关的其他研究人员在医学，兽医，生态科学。更广泛的影响：研究将由高中生，本科生和博士生进行。本科生将从费城/卡姆登地区招募参加研究。高中生将花下午的时间研究该项目的独立方面，为科学博览会做准备。PI致力于为服务不足和弱势群体提供这些机会。博士候选人将在国际科学会议上介绍他们的研究结果。生成的所有菌株和试剂将与其他研究者免费共享。