Deciphering the molecular code of protein-RNA binding during mRNA localisation

核糖核酸结合蛋白(RNAbindingProteins，RBPs)是真核基因表达的关键调控因子，参与调控基因的定位和局部翻译。靶RNA通过RNA序列中的顺式作用元件，即所谓的邮政编码或定位元件来识别，这些元件由特征序列基序和/或结构元件组成。限制性商业惯例将靶mRNAs招募到大的运输颗粒中，这些颗粒通常沿着细胞质中的细胞骨架轨迹活跃地移动。近年来，越来越多的证据表明，mRNAs与膜结构的共转运是另一种常见的细胞内mRNAs转运方式。为了解决这一新的转运途径的流行和可能的功能，我们将与FOR2333的几个小组合作，对真菌和哺乳动物中与膜相关的限制性商业惯例进行全面的调查。在过去的几年里，新的核糖体组学技术被引入，可以在基因组水平上研究RBP结合及其调控结果，包括紫外线交联和免疫沉淀(CLIP)以及在体内定位RBP结合位点的相关方法。然而，对这些数据的分析和解读仍处于初级阶段。为了克服这些限制，并可靠地映射和量化RBP结合，我们将基于不同限制性商业惯例的公开可用的iCLIP数据集对现有工具进行基准测试。此外，我们将制定强有力的量化策略，纠正转录丰度等方面的差异。所得到的RBP结合位点将根据基序出现、结合位点构象和RNA二级结构形成来表征。通过将这些特征相互联系起来，我们将对决定RBP结合的分子密码获得新的见解。我们将与FOR2333的几个小组合作，利用已建立的分析工作流程，了解酵母中SHE mRNA运输复合体的RNA结合模式、哺乳动物神经元中翻译调控因子Pumilio2的靶标识别，以及外显子连接复合体对果蝇mRNA定位的功能影响。

mRNA localisation and local translation are regulated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that constitute critical regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. Target mRNAs are recognised via cis-acting elements in the RNA sequence, so-called zipcodes or localisation elements, which are composed of characteristic sequence motifs and/or structural elements. RBPs recruit the target mRNAs into large transport particles which most often move actively along cytoskeletal tracks in the cytoplasm. Recently, evidence is accumulating that co-trafficking of mRNAs with membrane structures is another frequently occurring mode of intracellular mRNA transport. In order to address the prevalence and possible functions of this new transport route, we will perform a comprehensive survey of membrane-associated RBPs in fungi and mammals in collaboration with several groups of the FOR2333.Over the last years, new ribonomic techniques have been introduced that allow to study RBP binding and its regulatory outcome on a genomic scale, including UV crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) and related methods to map RBP binding sites in vivo. However, the analysis and interpretation of these data is still in its infancy. In order to overcome these limitations and reliably map and quantify RBP binding, we will benchmark existing tools based on publicly available iCLIP datasets for different RBPs. Moreover, we will develop robust quantification strategies that correct for differences in transcript abundance, among others. The resulting RBP binding sites will be characterised in terms of motif occurrence, binding site conformations and RNA secondary structure formation. By interrelating these features we will obtain new insights into the molecular code that determines RBP binding. In collaboration with several groups of the FOR2333, we will exploit the established analysis workflows to learn more about the RNA binding mode of the She mRNA transport complex in yeast, the target recognition of the translational regulator Pumilio2 in mammalian neurons and the functional impact of the exon-junction complex on mRNA localisation in fruit flies.