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The Function of the Cytoplasmic tRNA Repertoire in the Cellular and Molecular Homeostasis of the Mammalian Brain

Award Number: R01NS119525
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/15/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

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The Function of the Cytoplasmic tRNA Repertoire in the Cellular and Molecular Homeostasis of the Mammalian Brain - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are critical adaptor molecules that physically link amino acids to codons, decoding mRNA transcripts during translation. The mammalian genome contains hundreds of tRNA genes which are classified into families based on their anticodon. Each family contains multiple tRNA genes, suggesting that these genes may be buffered against the impact of deleterious mutations. Recently, we have demonstrated that a mutation that impairs processing of n-Tr20, a tRNAArgUCU gene, or its complete loss, alters gene expression and physiological responses at both the cellular and organismal level, despite the existence of four additional, functional tRNAArgUCU genes in the mouse genome. More specifically, loss of this highly expressed, neuron- specific member of the tRNAArgUCU family decreases the susceptibility of mice to seizures and alters the excitatory-inhibitory balance in the hippocampus. Loss of n-Tr20 leads to ribosome stalling on cognate AGA codons, along with changes in the transcriptional and translational landscape, characterized by decreased mTORC1 signaling and activation of the integrated stress response. Transgenic overexpression of the other members of the tRNAArgUCU family genes restored seizure susceptibility, in a manner which correlated with the level of tRNA expression from the transgene, suggesting that the phenotypes in n-Tr20-/- mice are due to a decrease in the tRNAArgUCU neuronal pool, to which n-Tr20 is the major contributor. Our results provide the first demonstration that mutation of an individual member of a multicopy, nuclear-encoded tRNA family can alter the molecular landscape and physiology of neurons and provide an impetus for future investigations of tRNA mutations in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and in disease. This proposal expands upon our findings in several ways. In Aim 1, we will determine the cellular mechanisms underlying the altered excitatory-inhibitory balance upon n-Tr20 loss by conditionally deleting n-Tr20 in either inhibitory or excitatory neurons during or post-development. We will also investigate the effect of genetically increasing mTOR signaling in n-Tr20-/- neurons on synaptic transmission. To further understand these physiological changes, we will analyze the translatome in excitatory and inhibitory neurons of n-Tr20-/- and wild-type mice and determine whether n-Tr20 deletion disrupts local translation. In Aim 2, we will test our hypothesis that phenotypes derived from tRNA loss are due to the decreased level of the pool of tRNAs with the same anticodon, and we will investigate whether the identity of the depleted tRNA family impacts these phenotypes. We will perform ChIP- Seq from several major cell types in the brain, utilizing a novel mouse model that can conditionally express an epitope-tagged allele of RNA Polymerase III. Based on this data, we will identify and delete other highly expressed tRNAs and investigate the effect of their loss on major cell types in the mouse brain. Finally, we will extend our work into humans by investigating the impact of tRNA loss on the translatome and physiology of iPSC-derived neurons.


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 = $430,574 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DR	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	12/30/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$387,517
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DR	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	5	4/8/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$43,057
														Subtotal = $430,574

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $430,574 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DR	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	4	8/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$43,057
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DR	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	1/13/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$387,517
														Subtotal = $430,574

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $417,657 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DRIVE	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	12/20/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$387,517
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DR	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	3	4/11/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$30,140
														Subtotal = $417,657

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $430,574 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DR	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	1/27/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$430,574
														Subtotal = $430,574

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $430,574 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO	9500 GILMAN DR	LA JOLLA	CA	92093	SAN DIEGO	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	1/13/2022	NEW	$430,574
														Subtotal = $430,574

Grand Total All Awards = $2,139,953

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The Function of the Cytoplasmic tRNA Repertoire in the Cellular and Molecular Homeostasis of the Mammalian Brain

Award Number: R01NS119525

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/15/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2026

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