Sunday, March 22, 2026 3/22/2026

Mitochondrial RNA Uridylation in Trypanosomes

Award Number: R01AI177658
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/21/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Mitochondrial RNA Uridylation in Trypanosomes - SUMMARY Parasitic infections by Trypanosoma brucei spp. undermine public health and economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. From the basic science vantage point, discoveries of antigenic variation, trans-splicing, and RNA editing in these early branching protozoans have contributed fundamental tenets of eukaryotic biology. Notably, work on mitochondrial U-insertion/deletion mRNA editing introduced the guide RNA concept, a foundation of modern genome altering technologies. Identification of terminal RNA uridylyltransferases (TUTases) in trypanosomes has led to recognition of uridylation’s broad significance and diverse cellular roles, ranging from microRNA turnover in flies to maternal mRNA clearance in mammals. Emerging structural insights establish mitochondrial U-tailing in T. brucei as the paradigm of RNA processing and decay pathways present in most eukaryotes. Conversely, the internal U-insertion is a central editing reaction unique to Kinetoplastea. This project will reveal the mechanisms of TUTase-dependent RNA maturation and editing processes at atomic resolution. Aim 1 investigates how the TUTase—exonuclease—RNA helicase nexus orchestrates mitochondrial RNA metabolism. It focuses on protein complexes that couple U-tailing by KRET1 (T1) with degradation, and thereby govern biogenesis, functionality, and metabolic fates of rRNAs, mRNAs and guide RNAs. Molecular, proteomics, imaging and cryo-EM approaches will define T1 complexes’ functions, composition, interactomes and structures. We have identified and will characterize an RNA helicase which links gRNA processing and editing. Aim 2 examines the structural basis of U-insertion mRNA editing. We have discovered KRET2 (T2) and MEAT1 (M1) and their distinct complexes. By determining in vivo substrates and cryo-EM structures of these assemblies, we will uncover the mechanisms of editing site selection and U-insertion by divergent T2 and M1 TUTases.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $698,347 )
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	1/15/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$698,347
														Subtotal = $698,347

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $677,942 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	12/12/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$677,942
														Subtotal = $677,942

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $730,708 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	1	9/5/2024	NEW	$71,446
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	2/21/2024	NEW	$659,262
														Subtotal = $730,708

Grand Total All Awards = $2,106,997

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Mitochondrial RNA Uridylation in Trypanosomes

Award Number: R01AI177658

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/21/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer