BB11: Global and functional analyses of 3’ untranslated regions in fission yeast
| Researcher: | Margarita Schlackow |
| Team Leader(s): |
Dr Radek Erban & Dr Monika Gullerova |
| Collaborators: | Prof. Jürg Bähler, UCL |
| Dr Samuel Marguerat, UCL |
Background
Cleavage and polyadenylation (the addition of multiple A-bases to the transcript) of RNA is extremely important for cell function. We are analysing signals encoded in the DNA causing the transcription machinery to cleave and polyadenylate efficiently in fission yeast cells.
Techniques and
Challenges
We have used RNA-seq data to map cleavage sites to the corresponding genes. Regions before the cleavage sites have been scanned for repeated motifs, which have been ranked, and a distribution profile was obtained. Mapped cleavage sites are being verified by a 3’RACE experiment. Whether identified motifs are polyadenylation signals is being analysed by mutational analysis.
Results
3’RACE experiments confirm correct mapping of cleavage sites. Motifs important for polyadenylation seem to be AATAAA, AATGAA and stretches of Ts/T-rich motifs.
The Future
The aim of the project is to create a database providing information on which genes have which cleavage sites, and what their potential polyadenylation signals are.