Photo: RNA and protein have closely co-evolved. Pictured are U6 small nuclear RNA (red) and its chaperone protein Prp24 (black). Prp24 passes through the large single-stranded loop of U6 and contacts the RNA with three of its four globular “RRM” domains. (PDB: 4n0t)
Life on Earth is thought to have begun in an RNA world more than 3 billion years ago. Today, RNA continues to be of vital importance to cellular function. It can both catalyze biochemical reactions (the ribosome is a ribozyme) and transmit genetic information. RNA can also guide protein enzymes to specific sites in DNA or RNA, as occurs in CRISPR-Cas function.
RNAs have evolved to work closely with proteins, forming ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). Many nanomachines of the cell are RNPs, including the ribosome, spliceosome, telomerase, and signal recognition particle. RNAs regulate transcription both directly, as is the case for E. coli 6S RNA, and indirectly, as in X chromosome inactivation in mammals by Xist. RNA-binding proteins autoregulate their synthesis by binding to their mRNAs and attenuating transcription, splicing, or translation.
The early steps of embryo development are regulated by maternal mRNA translation since zygotic transcription begins only after several cell divisions. Small non-coding RNAs contained in sperm can convey paternal epigenetic information to the developing zygote. Viral RNAs invade cells to wrest control of the genetic program but can be silenced by cellular RNAs. Many diseases are caused by defects in RNA synthesis and processing, and synthetic RNAs are currently used to treat a few of these diseases.
Labs in the CMB RNA Biology focus group are working to expand the frontiers of our knowledge of RNA function, using approaches ranging from genetics and genomics to single-molecule microscopy and cryo-EM. We invite you to join us in this exciting endeavor. Please visit the web sites of RNA Biology focus group members to see details of our current research. You can view the speakers who participate in our monthly RNA club (RNA MaxiGroup) here.
Focus Group Chair David Brow
Biomolecular Chemistry Department
DNA transcription and RNA splicing in yeast
dabrow@wisc.edu
Focus Group Members
Jacob Brunkard
Credentials: Genetics Department
Position title: Molecular mechanisms regulating plant metabolism
Email:
brunkard
Zachary Campbell
Credentials: Anesthesiology Department
Position title: Molecular mechanisms of pain
Email:
zcampbell
Silvia Cavagnero
Credentials: Chemistry Department
Position title: Protein folding and aggregation in the cell, molecular chaperones, role of the ribosome in protein folding
Email:
cavagnero
Marta Gaglia
Credentials: Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Position title: Virus-host interactions in influenza viruses and herpes viruses
Email:
Marta.Gaglia
Wei Guo
Credentials: Animal Health & Biomedical Sciences
Position title: Muscle Structure and Function, RNA Biology
Email:
wguo2
Betul Kaçar
Credentials: Bacteriology Department
Position title: Origins and early evolution of life, ancient proteins, functional evolution over geologic time
Email:
bkacar
Andrew Mehle
Credentials: Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department
Position title: Influenza virus replication machinery
Email:
amehle
Francisco Pelegri
Credentials: Genetics Department
Position title: Genetic control of zebrafish embryogenesis
Email:
fjpelegri
Andrea Putnam
Credentials: Biomolecular Chemistry
Position title: RNA condensates in development
Email:
aaputnam
Aurelie Rakotondrafara
Credentials: Plant Pathology Department
Position title: RNA, translation, plant virus, IRES, viral resistance
Email:
rakotondrafa
Gail Robertson
Credentials: Neuroscience Department
Position title: Molecular mechanisms of ion channel disease
Email:
garobert
Michael Sheets
Credentials: Biomolecular Chemistry Department
Position title: Molecular mechanisms regulating early vertebrate development
Email:
mdsheets
Nathan Sherer
Credentials: Oncology Department
Position title: Cell biology of HIV replication
Email:
nsherer
Ahna Skop
Credentials: Genetics Department
Position title: Role of mRNAs in cell division and pluripotency; Neurodegeneration
Email:
skop
Lloyd Smith
Credentials: Chemistry Department
Position title: Development and application of novel bioanalytical methods; new instrumentation and chemistries for biological mass spectrometry and biologically modified surfaces
Email:
smith
Marcelo Vargas
Credentials: Neurology Department
Position title: Cell and molecular biology of astrocytes. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Email:
mvargas
Donna Werling
Credentials: Genetics Department
Position title: Genomics of brain development and disorders
Email:
dwerling
Marvin Wickens
Credentials: Biochemistry Department
Position title: RNA and gene control; role of RNA regulation in development and the nervous system
Email:
wickens
Justin Wolter
Credentials: Genetics Department
Position title: Molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders
Email:
wolter4
Jerry Yin
Credentials: Genetics Department
Position title: Cellular/molecular mechanisms of memory formation and psychiatric dysfunction
Email:
jcyin
Xinyu Zhao
Credentials: Neuroscience Department
Position title: Epigenetic regulation, neural stem cells, neurodevelopment, noncoding RNA, RNA binding protein, learning and memory
Email:
xinyu.zhao