The long term objective of this research project is to understand how eukaryotic messenger RNA molecules are moved from their sites of transcription within the nucleus to their sites of translation in the cytoplasm. Nucleocytoplasmic transport of mRNA is an essential function of the eukaryotic cell, and likely requires the structural and functional integrity of the nucleus, including the nucleoskeleton, nuclear envelope and nuclear pore complexes. An analysis of this mRNA export process in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been underway in this laboratory for approximately three years. An assay that permits the detection of poly(A)+ RNA in yeast cells by in situ hybridization was developed and used to screen temperature sensitive yeast strains. Genes that encode proteins that may be important for mRNA export have been identified by using this RNA localization assay to isolate a new class of yeast mutants (RAT mutants for Ribonucleic Acid Trafficking). We lack detailed knowledge of many aspects of mRNA trafficking. Therefore, it is probable that among the genes identified will be some that encode critical components of nuclear structures and the nuclear pore. Identifying and understanding the functions of these proteins is essential for understanding mRNA trafficking and is the fundamental goal of this research. A combination of genetic, molecular biological, cytological and biochemical approaches is proposed to extend the initial studies on these genes, to investigate the roles in mRNA trafficking of the proteins they encode, and to identify other cellular components involved in mRNA trafficking.
Four specific aims are proposed: 1) The initial characterization of the rat mutants will be completed. This includes cloning, mapping, and sequence analysis (if the gene has not previously been sequenced) of each RAT gene. mRNA localization defects in mutant strains will be confirmed by cell fractionation. RNA and protein synthesis and RNA processing will be analyzed in mutant strains at permissive temperature and at various times after a shift to the restrictive temperature. The protein product of each RAT gene will be localized with antibodies. 2) A limited number of genes and gene products will be chosen for further study. For these genes, additional ts alleles will be isolated and examined and proteins which interact with their gene products will be identified through use of the two hybrid protein-protein interaction system of S. Fields or through the isolation of extragenic suppressors. 3) The sensitivity of the mRNA localization assay will be increased so that individual mRNA species can be localized. 4) The effect on nucleocytoplasmic mRNA export of mutation in a number of other yeast genes will be determined by performing the in situ poly(A)+ RNA localization assay on additional mutant yeast strains.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM033998-11
Application #
2177243
Study Section
Molecular Biology Study Section (MBY)
Project Start
1984-08-01
Project End
1997-07-31
Budget Start
1995-08-01
Budget End
1996-07-31
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Dartmouth College
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041027822
City
Hanover
State
NH
Country
United States
Zip Code
03755
Estruch, Francisco; Hodge, Christine; Gomez-Navarro, Natalia et al. (2012) Insights into mRNP biogenesis provided by new genetic interactions among export and transcription factors. BMC Genet 13:80
Hodge, Christine A; Tran, Elizabeth J; Noble, Kristen N et al. (2011) The Dbp5 cycle at the nuclear pore complex during mRNA export I: dbp5 mutants with defects in RNA binding and ATP hydrolysis define key steps for Nup159 and Gle1. Genes Dev 25:1052-64
Noble, Kristen N; Tran, Elizabeth J; Alcázar-Román, Abel R et al. (2011) The Dbp5 cycle at the nuclear pore complex during mRNA export II: nucleotide cycling and mRNP remodeling by Dbp5 are controlled by Nup159 and Gle1. Genes Dev 25:1065-77
Folkmann, Andrew W; Noble, Kristen N; Cole, Charles N et al. (2011) Dbp5, Gle1-IP6 and Nup159: a working model for mRNP export. Nucleus 2:540-8
Hodge, Christine A; Choudhary, Vineet; Wolyniak, Michael J et al. (2010) Integral membrane proteins Brr6 and Apq12 link assembly of the nuclear pore complex to lipid homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum. J Cell Sci 123:141-51
Schneiter, Roger; Cole, Charles N (2010) Integrating complex functions: coordination of nuclear pore complex assembly and membrane expansion of the nuclear envelope requires a family of integral membrane proteins. Nucleus 1:387-92
Estruch, Francisco; Peiró-Chova, Lorena; Gómez-Navarro, Natalia et al. (2009) A genetic screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae identifies new genes that interact with mex67-5, a temperature-sensitive allele of the gene encoding the mRNA export receptor. Mol Genet Genomics 281:125-34
Scarcelli, John J; Viggiano, Susan; Hodge, Christine A et al. (2008) Synthetic genetic array analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides evidence for an interaction between RAT8/DBP5 and genes encoding P-body components. Genetics 179:1945-55
Scarcelli, John J; Hodge, Christine A; Cole, Charles N (2007) The yeast integral membrane protein Apq12 potentially links membrane dynamics to assembly of nuclear pore complexes. J Cell Biol 178:799-812
Rollenhagen, Christiane; Hodge, Christine A; Cole, Charles N (2007) Following temperature stress, export of heat shock mRNA occurs efficiently in cells with mutations in genes normally important for mRNA export. Eukaryot Cell 6:505-13

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