Investigation of poly(A)-mediated RNA degradation in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana

• Antragstellerin: Dr. Heike Lange
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Pflanzenphysiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2006 bis 2009
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 34057592

RNA processing and RNA stability are important for the posttranscriptional control of genome expression. In bacteria, chloroplasts and plant mitochondria, degradation of non-coding RNA and mRNAs is triggered by polyadenylation, and we have recently demonstrated that poly(A)-dependent RNA surveillance is essential to counterbalance loose transcriptional control in plant mitochondria. Recent research has now revealed that poly(A)-mediated RNA surveillance is also present in the nucleus of yeast. I have identified polyadenylated processing and degradation intermediates of nuclear transcripts in Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting that a similar mechanism may be conserved in the nucleus of plants. In addition, I could identify Arabidopsis homologues of proteins involved in either polyadenylation or degradation of nuclear transcripts in yeast. I will now use mutant plants to (1) identify the substrates of this pathway and to (2) study the interaction between poly(A)-mediated RNA degradation and other nuclear pathways involved in RNA degradation or gene silencing. In addition, we will use a combination of genetic approaches and biochemical techniques to study expression, localisation and interaction of the involved proteins. This research will reveal how poly(A)-mediated RNA surveillance contributes to genome expression in plants.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Internationaler Bezug: Frankreich
• Gastgeber: Dr. Pascal Genschik