The multifaceted roles of ribosome-associated ncRNAs (rancRNAs)

Polacek, Norbert (27 September 2017). The multifaceted roles of ribosome-associated ncRNAs (rancRNAs) (Unpublished). In: 18th annual meeting of the Ribo Club. Mont Orford, Quebec, Canada. 25.09.-28.09.2017.

ncRNA molecules represent major contributors to regulatory networks in controlling gene expression. Most of the recently discovered ncRNAs that act on translation target the mRNA rather than the ribosome (e.g.: miRNAs, siRNAs, antisense RNAs).
We performed targeted screens for ribosome-associated ncRNAs (rancRNAs) in various model organisms spanning all three domains of life. For a subset of rancRNA candidates we have gathered experimental evidence demonstrating ribosome association in a stress-dependent manner. The rancRNAs appear to be involved in the first wave of cellular stress response by fine-tuning the rate of protein biosynthesis (1-3). From a mechanistic point of view rancRNAs were found to affect translation quite differently. While some inhibit protein biosynthesis by dimming the initiation or elongation phases by competing with tRNA or mRNA for ribosome binding, respectively, others even stimulate translation. Many of the investigated rancRNAs are processing products of larger functional RNAs, such as mRNAs (1), tRNAs (2), or snoRNAs (4). Cleavage of RNA to generate smaller regulatory fragments is a widespread mechanism that enlarges the structural and functional complexity of cellular RNomes.
Our data disclose the ribosome as target for small regulatory RNAs. rancRNAs represent a prevalent but so far largely unexplored class of regulatory molecules (5). Ongoing work in our lab revealed first aspects of rancRNA processing, structure and functioning of this emerging class of translation regulators.

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DCBP)

UniBE Contributor:

Polacek, Norbert

Subjects:

500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
500 Science > 540 Chemistry

Language:

English

Submitter:

Christina Schüpbach

Date Deposited:

23 Jan 2018 13:21

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:08

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/107693

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