Regulation of neuron-specific RNA sequences
Hilgers Lab
Although a typical Drosophila 3’ UTR measures a few hundred base pairs, neuron-specific 3’ UTRs can be up to 17kb long. This extreme addition of sequence creates substantial potential for post-transcriptional regulation. We think that this extra layer of regulation is necessary for the mRNA to achieve a neuron-specific function.
![Schematic of post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs in neurons. RNAs are often packaged within neuronal granules, which execute specific functions such as long-range transport.](/5453257/original-1620207158.jpg?t=eyJ3aWR0aCI6MjQ2LCJvYmpfaWQiOjU0NTMyNTd9--dbedd8eae6992a2892b7367984e8886ad49313ac)
The role of RNA-binding proteins and RNA granules in neurological pathologies, in particular neurodegeneration, has been well described. Ultra-long 3’ UTRs, through their unusually high number of target sites for RNA-binding proteins, could represent a platform for regulated mRNA transport and translation, and may build a scaffold for mRNA granule assembly.
![Confocal microscopy image of granules in neurons of a Drosophila brain. A granule marker protein and a neuron-specific RNA are made visible by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively.](/5453283/original-1611663569.jpg?t=eyJ3aWR0aCI6MjQ2LCJvYmpfaWQiOjU0NTMyODN9--2b1abce9c2d330da04c86fce48fe9f84aac8b201)
Applying imaging, neuron biochemistry, whole-genome analyses and functional genetics, we study how neuronal RNAs, in particular ultra-long 3’UTRs, are specifically regulated by RNA-binding proteins.