Cel The last decade has revolutionized our thinking about regulatory RNAs and yet we are still at the beginning of understanding their biology. One such challenge is presented by R-loops, prevalent DNA:RNA hybrids, which lie at the interface of different nuclear processes, including transcription, RNA processing, lncRNAs, DNA damage, chromatin, and neurodegenerative disease. Long-time considered a threat to genomic integrity, recent evidence indicates that certain R-loops can act as epigenetic gene regulators. The hypothesis is that nascent RNAs retained at their site of transcription may function as sequence-specific component of mammalian chromatin to shape gene expression. Notably, R-loops found at GC-enriched promoters are implicated in preventing DNA methylation and promote transcription, but how this might occur has remained obscure. In a breakthrough discovery, we identified the first epigenetic R-loop reader. This protein binds directly and specifically to DNA:RNA hybrids in vitro and in vivo, and mediates local DNA hydroxymethylation and demethylation via TET (Ten-Eleven Translocation) cytosine oxidases. Using the R-loop reader as a tool provides a unique entry point to address fundamental questions regarding mechanisms and regulation of the epigenetic function and biological role of these DNA:RNA hybrids. Applying genome-wide approaches and studying the biology of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we will 1) systematically identify regulatory R-loops, 2) characterize their common features, 3) address how R-loops are decoded in ESC pluripotency and differentiation, 4) investigate how regulatory R-loops are erased, and (5) screen for additional R-loop binders/readers and characterize their epigenetic role. The HybReader project will allow for ground-breaking discoveries regarding the emerging epigenetic function and regulation of these poorly understood regulatory hybrids in the control of gene expression. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsepigenetics Słowa kluczowe HybReader Program(-y) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Temat(-y) ERC-2017-ADG - ERC Advanced Grant Zaproszenie do składania wniosków ERC-2017-ADG Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant Instytucja przyjmująca INSTITUT FUR MOLEKULARE BIOLOGIE GGMBH Wkład UE netto € 2 000 000,00 Adres ACKERMANNWEG 4 55128 Mainz Niemcy Zobacz na mapie Region Rheinland-Pfalz Rheinhessen-Pfalz Mainz, Kreisfreie Stadt Rodzaj działalności Research Organisations Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Koszt całkowity € 2 000 000,00 Beneficjenci (1) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE netto Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko INSTITUT FUR MOLEKULARE BIOLOGIE GGMBH Niemcy Wkład UE netto € 2 000 000,00 Adres ACKERMANNWEG 4 55128 Mainz Zobacz na mapie Region Rheinland-Pfalz Rheinhessen-Pfalz Mainz, Kreisfreie Stadt Rodzaj działalności Research Organisations Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Koszt całkowity € 2 000 000,00