The role of tandem tudor domain proteins in RNAi

RNA介导的干扰，简称RNAi，是通过将细胞暴露于双链RNA或其衍生物中来特异性关闭基因表达。近年来，这一现象对生物科学产生了深刻的影响，主要是因为它被用于实验中检验任何基因功能丧失的结果。近年来，越来越清楚的是，RNAi也有许多生理目的。通过多种多样的相关过程，它可以深刻地影响基因调控网络。在目前的研究计划中，我们提出了一个综合策略来解决这些现象之一的内源性RNAi（或endoRNAi）的分子基础。EndoRNAi通过在染色质（DNA的生理结构）上聚合沉默信号来修饰基因表达。我们将研究编码串联tudor结构域的endoRNAi所需的两个相关蛋白的功能。我们之前的工作支持一个模型，其中这些蛋白质指导RNAi机制加强基因的沉默状态。本研究将有助于我们更好地了解RNAi的生物学功能及其潜在机制，并进一步阐明tudor结构域在基因调控中的功能。

RNA-mediated interference, or RNAi, is the specific shut down of a gene's expression by the exposure of cells to double-stranded RNA, or to its derivatives. This phenomenon has had a deep impact on biological sciences in the recent years, primarily for its use to experimentally examine the outcome of the loss of any gene's function in experiments. In the most recent years it is becoming clear that RNAi also serves numerous physiological purposes. Through a diverse variety of related processes, it can profoundly influence gene regulatory networks. In the current research proposal, we put forward an integrated strategy to address the molecular basis for one of these phenomena termed endogenous RNAi (or endoRNAi). EndoRNAi modifies gene expression by converging its silencing signals on chromatin (the physiological architechtures of DNA). We will examine the function of two related proteins required for endoRNAi, which encode tandem tudor domains. Our previous work supports a model wherein these proteins direct the RNAi machinery to reinforce the silenced state of genes. The current proposal will result in a better understanding of the biological functions of RNAi, of the underlying mechanisms, and further elucidate the functions of the tudor domains in gene regulation.