Collaborative Research: Arabidopsis 2010: Deciphering mRNP Networks

植物细胞的特性、活性和寿命在很大程度上取决于它们所含蛋白质的种类。 蛋白质的合成是一个高度协调的过程，其开始于细胞核中的基因转录，并在信使RNA（mRNA）从细胞核输出后在细胞质中继续。 在细胞质中，mRNA可以是稳定的或不稳定的，并且可以被核糖体隔离或主动翻译成蛋白质。多细胞植物中mRNA的稳定性或翻译也取决于发育或环境信号。 本项目的目标是阐明这种细胞质转录后调节是如何发生的，特别是分析RNA结合蛋白（RBP）在这些过程中的作用。 在这个拟南芥2010项目中，三个研究小组将合作描述40多个RBP的具体作用。 一个主要的焦点是识别在RNA-蛋白（RNP）复合物中被特定RBP结合的mRNA，并识别RNP复合物中的其他蛋白。 此外，选择RBP将分析其在发育网络中的作用，并在动态响应细胞状态的变化，由于环境压力。这项研究将包括通过使用突变体对限制性商业惯例进行功能分析。方法将包括与特定RBP相关的mRNA的深度测序和RBP识别的mRNA序列的鉴定。这些研究将结合联合收割机先进的生物信息学、分子和遗传学方法。更广泛的影响这个项目的更广泛的影响分为三个领域。 首先，该项目将使研究生和博士后研究人员参与分子和细胞生物学以及生物信息学的最新技术。 此外，本科生研究人员将在研究项目中得到指导，科学家和教师将获得关于基因表达细胞机制的夏季研讨会。 第二，研究成果将通过建立一个网站（Plant mRNP-Net）提供给更大的科学界，该网站将允许mRNA-蛋白质网络挖掘，并包括教育工作者的资源。 第三，该项目将直接与犹他州科学博物馆列奥纳多合作，协助开发与9年级课程有关的课堂演示。

The identity, activity, and longevity of plant cells is largely governed by the assortment of proteins they contain. The synthesis of proteins is a highly orchestrated process that begins in the cell nucleus with gene transcription and continues in the cytoplasm following messenger RNA (mRNA) export from the nucleus. In the cytoplasm, an mRNA may be stable or unstable, and may be sequestered or actively translated by ribosomes into protein. The stability or translation of mRNAs in multicellular plants also depends on developmental or environmental signals. The goal of this project is to clarify how this cytoplasmic post-transcriptional regulation occurs, and specifically to analyze the roles of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in these processes. In this Arabidopsis 2010 project, three research groups will collaborate to characterize the specific roles of more than 40 RBPs. A major focus is to identify the mRNAs that are bound by specific a RBP in an RNA-protein (RNP) complex, and to identify other proteins within the RNP complex. In addition, select RBPs will be analyzed for their roles in developmental networks and in dynamic responses to changes in cellular status due to environmental stress. The study will include functional analyses of RBPs through use of mutants. Methods will include deep sequencing of the mRNAs associated with specific RBPs and identification of the mRNA sequences recognized by the RBPs. These studies will combine advanced bioinformatic, molecular and genetic approaches. Broader ImpactsThe broader impacts from this project fall into three areas. First, the project will engage graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in state-of-the art technologies in molecular and cellular biology as well as bioinformatics. In addition, undergraduate researchers will be mentored in research projects, and scientists and teachers will be provided summer workshops on cellular mechanisms of gene expression. Second, the outcomes of the research will be made available to the larger scientific community through the establishment of a web site (Plant mRNP-Net), which will allow mRNA-protein network mining and include resources for educators. Third, the project will work directly with The Leonardo, a Utah science museum, to assist in development of a classroom demonstration linked to the 9th grade curriculum.