Mechanism of Non-coding RNA Involvement in Transcriptional Gene Silencing

智力优势：基因表达的过程需要核糖核酸（RNA）的合成，它作为基因和蛋白质之间的中间体（信使RNA或mRNA）。有趣的是，还有许多其他类型的RNA不编码蛋白质，称为非编码RNA。最神秘的一类非编码RNA被认为是通过控制转录来调节基因活性的主要因素（即，mRNA合成速率）。该项目的目标是解决非编码RNA在称为转录基因沉默的过程中调节基因活性的分子机制。这项研究将使用模式植物拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）的独特工具，专门消除一类非编码RNA。这种操作，沿着其他几种遗传学、生物化学和基因组学方法，将被用来解释非编码RNA如何引导特异性沉默因子到DNA。实验还将确定转录基因沉默中非编码RNA功能的分子机制是否在整个基因组中保守，或者是否存在许多独立的基因特异性机制。总的来说，该项目将更好地了解基因是如何调控的。更广泛的影响：该项目整合了不同层次的本科教学，以激励下一代科学家。它涉及一个大招生的遗传学本科课程的修订，一个专业课程的设计集中在本研究的一般领域，并直接参与本研究的本科生。此外，该项目还将通过增进我们对生命基本机制的理解，并为未来作物的改良提供基础，从而造福社会。

Intellectual Merit: The process of gene expression requires the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA), which works as an intermediate (messenger RNA or mRNA) between genes and proteins. Interestingly, there are also many other classes of RNA which do not encode proteins, known as non-coding RNA. One of the most mysterious classes of non-coding RNA has been proposed to be a major factor contributing to the regulation of gene activity by controlling transcription (i.e., the rate of mRNA synthesis). The goal of this project is to resolve the molecular mechanisms used by non-coding RNA to regulate gene activity in a process known as transcriptional gene silencing. This research will use unique tools available with the model plant organism Arabidopsis thaliana to specifically eliminate a class of non-coding RNA. This manipulation, along with several other genetic, biochemical and genomic approaches, will be used to explain how non-coding RNA guides specific silencing factors to DNA. Experiments will also determine if the molecular mechanism of non-coding RNA function in transcriptional gene silencing is conserved throughout the genome, or if many independent gene-specific mechanisms exist. Overall, the project will provide a better understanding of how genes are regulated.Broader impacts: The project integrates various levels of undergraduate teaching to inspire the next generation of scientists. It involves a revision of a large-enrollment undergraduate course in genetics, the design of a specialty course focused on the general area of this research, and direct involvement of undergraduate students in this research. Additionally, the project will benefit society by advancing our understanding of the basic mechanisms of life and by providing a foundation that could contribute to future improvement of crop plants.