Objectif
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an essential mechanism controlling translation in the eukaryotic cell. NMD ascertains accurate expression of the genetic information by quality controlling messenger RNA (mRNA). During translation, NMD factors recognize and target to degradation aberrant mRNAs that have a premature stop codon (PTC) and that would otherwise lead to the production of truncated proteins which could be harmful for the cell. A wide range of genetic diseases have their origin in the mechanisms of NMD. Discrimination of a PTC from a correct termination codon depends on splicing and translation, and it is the first and foremost step in human NMD. The molecular mechanism of this process remains elusive to date.
In the research proposed, I will undertake to elucidate the molecular basis of translation termination and induction of NMD. I will study complexes involved in human translation termination at a normal stop codon and involved in NMD. I will employ an array of innovative techniques including recombinant production of human protein complexes by the MultiBac system, mammalian in vitro translation, mass spectrometry for detecting relevant protein modifications, biophysical techniques, mutational analyses and RNA-interference experiments. Stable ribosomal complexes with termination factors and complexes of NMD factors will be used for structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy. State-of-the-art image processing will be applied to address the inherent heterogeneity of the complexes. Hybrid approaches will allow the combination of cryo-EM structures with existing high-resolution structures of factors involved for generation of quasi-atomic models thereby visualizing molecular mechanisms of NMD action. This interdisciplinary work will foster our understanding at a molecular level of a paramount step in mRNA quality control, which is a vital prerequisite for the development of new treatment strategies in NMD-related diseases.
Champ scientifique
Appel à propositions
ERC-2011-StG_20101109
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Régime de financement
ERC-SG - ERC Starting GrantInstitution d’accueil
69117 Heidelberg
Allemagne