Descrizione del progetto
Evoluzione dei piccoli RNA negli animali antichi
Le molecole di piccoli RNA sono una classe di molecole di RNA non codificanti che vanno da circa 20 a 30 basi nucleiche e sono coinvolte in vari processi cellulari e fisiologici, tra cui la regolazione genica. I microRNA (miRNA) sono la classe di piccoli RNA meglio studiata nelle specie bilateriali come insetti, nematodi e vertebrati. Finanziato dal Consiglio europeo della ricerca, il progetto CNIDARIAMICRORNA studia i piccoli miRNA in specie non bilateriali come l’anemone di mare Nematostella vectensis, un parente dei coralli e delle meduse. I risultati del progetto rivelano che i miRNA di Nematostella assomigliano a quelli delle piante per quanto riguarda la modalità d’azione. Utilizzando metodi biochimici e genetici avanzati, i ricercatori forniranno informazioni sulla biogenesi e sull’azione dei piccoli RNA nell’anemone di mare, facendo luce sull’evoluzione e sulle forme antiche di questo importante percorso molecolare.
Obiettivo
Over the past decade small RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been shown to carry pivotal roles in post-transcriptional regulation and genome protection and to play an important part in various physiological processes in animals. miRNAs can be found in a very wide range of animals yet their functions were studied almost exclusively in members of the Bilateria such as insects, nematodes and vertebrates. Hence studying their function in representatives of non-bilaterian phyla such as Cnidaria (sea anemones, corals, hydras and jellyfish) is crucial for understanding the evolution of miRNAs in animals and can provide important insights into their roles in the ancient ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria. The sea anemone Nematostella vectensis is an excellent model for such a study since it can be grown in large numbers throughout its life cycle in the lab and because well-established genetic manipulation techniques are available for this species. Our preliminary results indicate that miRNAs in Nematostella frequently have a nearly perfect match to their messenger RNA (mRNA) targets, resulting in cleavage of the target. This mode of action is common for plant miRNAs, but is very rare in Bilateria. This finding together with my recent discovery of a Nematostella homolog of HYL1, a protein involved in miRNA biogenesis in plants, raises the exciting possibility that the miRNA pathway existed in the common ancestor of plants and animals. Here I suggest to bring together an array of advanced biochemical and genetic methods such as gene knockdown, transgenesis, high throughput sequencing and immunoprecipitation in order to obtain - for the first time - a deep understanding of the biogenesis and mechanism of action of small RNAs in Cnidaria. This will provide a novel way to understand the evolution of this important molecular pathway and to evaluate its age and ancestral form.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-STG - Starting GrantIstituzione ospitante
91904 Jerusalem
Israele