Project description
Nucleotide moiety in coenzymes and metabolites enables new level of RNA regulation
A recent discovery in RNA biology shows that redox coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) attaches to bacterial RNAs in a cap-like manner and modulates the functions of these RNAs and the presence of the enzymes that synthesise or break down NAD-RNAs. The EU-funded RNACoenzyme project aims to test the hypothesis that nucleotide moiety in coenzymes and metabolites enables cells to incorporate these compounds into specific RNAs. Linking reactive moieties to RNA may provide a biological strategy to localise them to enzymes, receptors, membranes or compartments, or to modulate the turnover or function of the RNAs or their targets. This study will provide fundamentally new links between gene regulation and metabolism and uncover a new field of epitranscriptomic information.
Objective
Background: RNA is an important regulator in biology. Recently we discovered the ubiquitous redox coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to be attached to bacterial RNAs in a cap-like manner, and to modulate the functions of these RNAs, and others identified NAD-RNAs in eukaryotes. Enzymes were discovered that synthesize or break down NAD-RNAs.
Scientific problems: NAD is just one of many coenzymes and metabolic intermediates that carry a nucleotide moiety which is not involved in the catalyzed reaction. Yet, it has been conserved through evolution, a fact that suggests high functional relevance.
Hypothesis: The nucleotide moiety in coenzymes and metabolites is there for a reason: It enables cells to incorporate these compounds into specific RNAs. Linking reactive organic moieties to RNA may provide a biological strategy to localize these RNAs to enzymes, receptors, membranes or compartments, to sense environmental parameters, or to modulate the turnover or function of the RNAs or their targets.
Objectives & research program: The aim of this project is to establish the scope and biological significance of coenzyme-linked RNAs in biology. We will expand the NAD captureSeq protocol to include reduced, phosphorylated, deamidated, and depyridinated NAD-RNAs. We will develop new CoenzymeSeq methods to identify cellular RNAs modified with coenzyme A, flavin, thiamine, and N-acetylglucosamine. We will apply these protocols to RNAs isolated from different organisms to explore the occurrence, abundance, and structural variety of such RNAs. For selected modified RNAs, we will unravel the biological significance and biosynthesis.
Impact: This research challenges established textbook wisdom. It will provide fundamentally new links between gene regulation and metabolism in present-day biology and uncover a new layer of epitrancriptomic information. In addition, this project will impact our basic views on the evolution of metabolism and enzymatic catalysis.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
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.
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.
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-ADG - Advanced Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-ADG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
69117 Heidelberg
Germany
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.