How RNA modifications affect RNA processing and TLR8 stimulation in innate immune cells (A03)

• Subject Area: General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 439669440

Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 8 recognize microbial RNA thereby activating an innate immune response. The Dalpke group identified a role for RNase6 and 2’-O-methyl modifications in activation of TLR8. With the expertise of the Höbartner group we will now employ a chemistry driven approach to generate RNA modifications to study their immune effects in a structure-activity approach. Furthermore we will investigate regulation of bacterial RNA modifications under stress as mean of immune evasion and quantitatively analyze ribosomal RNA modifications with respect to foreign/self discrimination.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 319: RMaP: RNA Modification and Processing
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Dr. Falk Butter, until 12/2025; Professor Dr. Alexander Dalpke; Professorin Dr. Claudia Höbartner