9805557 The award provides partial support for a FASEB Conference that focuses on the multidisciplinary area of post-transcriptional RNA processing, transport and targeting. The importance of this area has become evident as a result of the convergence of information from studies focusing on a variety of molecular, cellular and developmental questions. During the past fifteen years over seventy intracellularly localized RNAs have been identified in a diversity of cell types in both vertebrates and invertebrates, ranging from oocytes to epithelial cells to neurons and glia. In addition, diverse classes of proteins are encoded by localized RNAs, including transcription factors, RNA binding proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, intracellular signaling molecules and secreted growth factors. It is now clear that the targeting of mRNAs to particular intracellular locations plays a key role in biological processes that include the establishment of oocyte polarity, early embryonic differentiation, somatic cell polarization and function, synapse growth, and plasticity in the vertebrate nervous system. The goal of the conference is to build upon two similar and successful conferences held in 1994 and 1996 by bringing together researchers and students with a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds in this area. The conference will explore common themes and questions that include (1) the role of RNA localization in establishment of embryonic cell lineage and cell polarity, (2) cis-acting signals and trans-acting factors that target mRNAs to specific intracellular locations, (3) the delivery systems responsible for this targeting, (4) the mechanism that anchors mRNAs at target locations, (5) the characterization and extent of targeting sites, (6) the involvement of extracellular and intracellular signaling systems in mRNA transport and targeting, (7) transport of RNA across the nuclear envelope, and (8) the effects of RNA sorting on cell functions. A significan t portion of conference resources will be used to support the attendance of graduate students and young investigators.
