Protein-RNA Interactions

RNA binding proteins can control protein expression by regulating transport, localization, splicing, polyadenylation and turnover of mRNA transcripts.  A major focus of our group is to understand how proteins recognize RNAs in order to regulate their biogenesis, stability, function and cellular localization. 

Characterization of the structure and dynamics of protein-RNA complexes is essential for understanding how these proteins specifically recognize their target RNAs, deciphering structure-function relationships, and assessing their biological roles in regulating gene expression. To achieve these objectives, our laboratory uses biophysical, biochemical and in vivo techniques with a particular emphasis on NMR spectroscopy and computational methods.  

Relevant Publications

Structure and Dynamics of the CCCH-Type Tandem Zinc Finger Domain of POS-1 and Implications for RNA Binding Specificity. Ertekin A, Morgan BR, Ryder SP, Massi F. Biochemistry. 2024 Oct 15;63(20):2632-2647. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00259. Epub 2024 Sep 25.PMID: 39321355 

A Disorder-to-Order Transition Mediates RNA Binding of the Caenorhabditis elegans Protein MEX-5. Tavella D, Ertekin A, Schaal H, Ryder SP, Massi F. Biophys J. 2020 Apr 21;118(8):2001-2014. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.02.032. Epub 2020 Mar 19.PMID: 32294479