Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-05-30

The role of noncoding RNA in sense and antisense or orientation in epigenetic control of rRNA genes

Objective

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a significant role in the control of gene expression and epigenetic regulation. It seems that ncRNAs might be numerous and highly adapted in roles that require specific nucleic acid recognition without complex catalysis, such as in guiding RNA modifications or in directing post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and chromatin structure. Our previous work has revealed that NoRC, a chromatin remodeling complex that triggers heterochromatin formation and transcriptional silencing of a fraction of rRNA genes, is associated with 100-250 nt RNAs that originate from the intergenic spacer (IGS) separating rDNA repeats. Furthermore, a fraction of rDNA is transcribed in antisense orientation. Both IGS RNA and antisense transcripts display a growth- and tissue-specific expression pattern. The goal of this project is to decipher the role of NoRC-associated RNA in alterations of chromatin structure and epigenetic control of rDNA. Our research will focus on the synthesis, regulation, and processing of intergenic and antisense transcripts in response to cell growth and differentiation as well as on the role of NoRC-associated RNA in epigenetic regulation of rRNA genes. The following points will be addressed: (1) Deciphering the mechanism underlying RNA-directed establishment of specific epigenetic marks and formation of silent chromatin domains, (2) Functional analysis of posttranscriptional modifications that regulate RNA binding and NoRC activity, (3) Identification of non-ribosomal target genes of NoRC, and (4) Elucidation of the link between transcriptional activity and active demethylation of the rDNA promoter. Given the fact that basic regulatory principles are conserved throughout evolution, this work will have a great impact on our understanding of RNA-directed silencing mechanisms and will reveal how epigenetic defects cause human diseases.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2008-AdG
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant

Host institution

DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG
EU contribution
€ 831 756,00
Address
IM NEUENHEIMER FELD 280
69120 Heidelberg
Germany

See on map

Region
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0