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Pathological and physiological roles of the MutL-gamma (MLH1-MLH3) nuclease: from harmful trinucleotide repeat expansions to promoting diversity in meiosis

Objectif

The function of the well-known mismatch repair (MMR) is to correct mispairs and misalignments arising during DNA replication. Canonical MMR is dependent on MutLa, a nuclease consisting of MLH1 and PMS2 subunits. In addition to MutLa, human cells also contain the MutLg (MLH1-MLH3) nuclease, implicated in pathological trinucleotide repeat expansion and the processing of meiotic DNA recombination intermediates. Despite the biological and clinical importance of MutLg, its involvement in these processes remains poorly understood.

In Aim I, we will elucidate how MutLg and co-factors recognize and process secondary DNA structures formed within repetitive trinucleotide sequences to understand repeat expansion and protective mechanisms. In Aim II, we will define the functional role of MutLg and co-factors in resolving meiotic recombination intermediates, specifically how they cleave DNA structures such as Holliday junctions to yield crossover recombination products.

Our preliminary data indicate that the non-canonical MMR complexes dependent on MutLg are regulated very differently compared to the classical MMR factors, both in terms of the secondary DNA structures and the protein co-factors involved. The unexpected diversity of the regulatory mechanisms will offer exciting insights into how the various MMR complexes adapted to carry out distinct cellular functions in very different physiological contexts. We will employ robust biochemical reconstitution strategies, combined with advanced single-molecule imaging, enabling direct visualization of MutLg interactions and activity in real-time. Our approach overcomes previous technical barriers through optimized production of recombinant MutLg and specialized DNA substrates. By clarifying the mechanisms underlying MutLg’s diverse roles, this project will advance our understanding of fundamental biological processes and provide potential prospects for targeted treatment for Huntigton's and related disorders.

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Régime de financement

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Appel à propositions

(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) ERC-2025-ADG

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Institution d’accueil

FONDAZIONE PER L'ISTITUTO DI RICERCA IN BIOMEDICINA
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 3 293 900,00
Coût total
Aucune donnée

Bénéficiaires (1)