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Involvement of Noncanonical Short RNAs in gene repression through the RNA-induced-silencing complex

Award Number: R01GM146756
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/09/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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Involvement of Noncanonical Short RNAs in gene repression through the RNA-induced-silencing complex - ABSTRACT MicroRNAs have been studied for over two decades and found to impact extensively on various cellular functions like differentiation, proliferation and oncogenesis through regulation of gene expression using the Argonaute (Ago) containing RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). In the cell, however, microRNAs co-exist with a nearly equal abundance of non-canonical short RNAs (ncsRNAs) that were not believed to enter the RISC. This has begun to change with our discovery that some members of the ncsRNAs, the tRNA derived fragments (tRFs) enter into RISC and silence gene expression, and others do not. The 18-26 base long tRF-3a molecules are derived from tRNAs by processes very different from the biogenesis of microRNAs, and yet repress gene expression by incorporation into Ago-RISC (RISC). In Aim 1 we will focus on specific tRF sub-classes, tRF-3b and tRF-1, that do not enter into Ago-RISC, to identify the surveillance pathways that keep short RNAs from dysregulating gene expression through RISC. We will study a methyltransferase that inactivates tRF-3b molecules by modifications on the RNA, a modification that is also regulated by demethylases that are inactivated by Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations, seen in many cancers. We will also focus on an RNAse that degrades tRF-1 molecules to prevent them from entering into RISC and silencing gene expression. The results will reveal how the surveillance mechanisms work and how pathogenic or therapeutic alteration of the surveillance mechanisms will alter gene expression and improve RNA mediated therapy. In Aim 2 we will turn to ncsRNAs, exemplified by three tRF-3a molecules, that enter into RISC, silence gene expression and alter phenotypes of cancers and cancer cell-lines. We will test whether even in these cell line the tRF-3a molecules regulate gene expression by hijacking microRNA specific mechanisms and thus alter cellular phenotypes. We will also determine whether the ncsRNAs help or hinder microRNAs from doing their function. The field of short RNA mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation will be altered fundamentally by the recognition that microRNAs work in a complex milieu of other short RNAs that compete with or assist microRNAs, and that the cell has evolved mechanisms to protect the integrity of microRNA-mediated gene regulation.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $329,058 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	4	6/3/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$329,058
														Subtotal = $329,058

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $360,868 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	3	8/27/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$31,810
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	6/6/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$329,058
														Subtotal = $360,868

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $329,058 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH ST	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	6/14/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$329,058
														Subtotal = $329,058

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $329,058 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH ST	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	9/9/2022	NEW	$329,058
														Subtotal = $329,058

Grand Total All Awards = $1,348,042

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Involvement of Noncanonical Short RNAs in gene repression through the RNA-induced-silencing complex

Award Number: R01GM146756

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/09/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2026

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