The primary goal of my lab is to define the basis by which non-coding elements in messenger RNA sequences define differential regulation of gene expression. The model system is early embryogenesis of the nematode Caenorhabiditis elegans. The experimental strategy is to determine the nucleotide binding specificity and assembly mechanism of each protein involved in recognition of the noncoding elements using quantitative in vitro methods. Then, the mRNAs that associate with each protein are independently identified using crosslinked immunprecipitation and/or RNA-immunoprecipitation and array. The functional relevance of the binding specificity is tested in live animals using transgenic reporters that assay for regulation. This approach is the logical opposite of standard forward genetics, yet it enables a quantitative understanding of mRNA discrimination that is not possible using solely in vivo methods. The long term goal of my lab is to delineate the complete wiring diagram of RNA regulatory circuitry in the embryo, and elucidate the regulatory mechanisms that control maternal mRNA translation, localization, and turnover. A necessary first step toward this goal is to identify the RNA targets of each regulatory protein, and determine how they work together to select specific mRNAs for regulation. In this proposal, we focus on the RNA-binding proteins that pattern Notch/glp-1 expression in the embryo (MEX-3, MEX-5, POS-1, SPN-4, and GLD-1). In preliminary work, we have made a several important discoveries relevant to mRNA recognition by these factors that argue cooperative and antagonistic interactions drive recognition of glp-1 transcripts. These results lead to our current hypothesis: Occupancy of the RNA binding proteins on the glp-1 3'-UTR defines its spatial and temporal expression pattern.
The specific aims outlined in this proposal will test this model, and identify novel regulatory targets of each protein that may contribute to the pleiotropy and disparity of the mutant phenotypes for each of these proteins. Our work will describe basic mechanisms that contribute to the totipotency of embryonic cells, which has relevance to several modern therapeutic strategies. All of the proteins that we propose to study have homologs in mammals, many of which play roles in human development, including placental differentiation, formation of the central nervous system, vascularization, and immunity. Lessons learned from this project may aid in understanding human biology that contributes to inflammatory disease, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and congenital developmental abnormalities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM081422-02
Application #
7596490
Study Section
Molecular Genetics A Study Section (MGA)
Program Officer
Haynes, Susan R
Project Start
2008-04-01
Project End
2013-02-28
Budget Start
2009-03-01
Budget End
2010-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$308,750
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
603847393
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655
Zearfoss, N Ruth; Deveau, Laura M; Clingman, Carina C et al. (2014) A conserved three-nucleotide core motif defines Musashi RNA binding specificity. J Biol Chem 289:35530-41
Zearfoss, N Ruth; Johnson, Emily S; Ryder, Sean P (2013) hnRNP A1 and secondary structure coordinate alternative splicing of Mag. RNA 19:948-57
Tamburino, Alex M; Ryder, Sean P; Walhout, Albertha J M (2013) A compendium of Caenorhabditis elegans RNA binding proteins predicts extensive regulation at multiple levels. G3 (Bethesda) 3:297-304
Kaymak, Ebru; Ryder, Sean P (2013) RNA recognition by the Caenorhabditis elegans oocyte maturation determinant OMA-1. J Biol Chem 288:30463-72
Farley, Brian M; Ryder, Sean P (2012) POS-1 and GLD-1 repress glp-1 translation through a conserved binding-site cluster. Mol Biol Cell 23:4473-83
Zearfoss, N Ruth; Ryder, Sean P (2012) End-labeling oligonucleotides with chemical tags after synthesis. Methods Mol Biol 941:181-93
Kalchhauser, Irene; Farley, Brian M; Pauli, Sandra et al. (2011) FBF represses the Cip/Kip cell-cycle inhibitor CKI-2 to promote self-renewal of germline stem cells in C. elegans. EMBO J 30:3823-9
Wright, Jane E; Gaidatzis, Dimos; Senften, Mathias et al. (2011) A quantitative RNA code for mRNA target selection by the germline fate determinant GLD-1. EMBO J 30:533-45
Pagano, John M; Clingman, Carina C; Ryder, Sean P (2011) Quantitative approaches to monitor protein-nucleic acid interactions using fluorescent probes. RNA 17:14-20
Zearfoss, N Ruth; Clingman, Carina C; Farley, Brian M et al. (2011) Quaking regulates Hnrnpa1 expression through its 3' UTR in oligodendrocyte precursor cells. PLoS Genet 7:e1001269

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