Biology and dysregulation of IncRNAs
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators of tissue physiology and their dysregulation is associated with numerous diseases. However, their contributions to pathogenesis are poorly understood because their molecular functions are obscure.
Traditional biochemical methods to define RNA-protein interactions are limited by low throughput and is biased towards identifying the most abundant RNA-protein interactions. We have developed technologies integrated into a platform that can efficiently define lncRNA function by systematically identifying their associated proteins. For example, non-coding RNA binding to transcription factors or histone modifying enzymes implicates those RNAs in transcription or locus control, respectively. Moreover, by screening fragments of a disease-relevant lncRNAs against the human proteome, our platform can define the RNA sequence and structural determinant that specify protein interaction.
Our platform enabling rapid and unbiased discovery of RNA function has been used to define normal roles of non-coding RNAs and how their altered activities result in diseases. For example, we identified a novel lncRNA called SLNCR and its interacting proteins important for melanoma invasion and proliferation. We also identified non-coding RNAs implicated in the ribosomopathies called Shwachman Diamond Syndrome and Diamond Blackfan Anemia. We have also used our platform to discover targets and inhibitors of essential RNA-protein interactions relevant for other diseases including COVID-19/SARS-CoV2 replication.
Traditional biochemical methods to define RNA-protein interactions are limited by low throughput and is biased towards identifying the most abundant RNA-protein interactions. We have developed technologies integrated into a platform that can efficiently define lncRNA function by systematically identifying their associated proteins. For example, non-coding RNA binding to transcription factors or histone modifying enzymes implicates those RNAs in transcription or locus control, respectively. Moreover, by screening fragments of a disease-relevant lncRNAs against the human proteome, our platform can define the RNA sequence and structural determinant that specify protein interaction.
Our platform enabling rapid and unbiased discovery of RNA function has been used to define normal roles of non-coding RNAs and how their altered activities result in diseases. For example, we identified a novel lncRNA called SLNCR and its interacting proteins important for melanoma invasion and proliferation. We also identified non-coding RNAs implicated in the ribosomopathies called Shwachman Diamond Syndrome and Diamond Blackfan Anemia. We have also used our platform to discover targets and inhibitors of essential RNA-protein interactions relevant for other diseases including COVID-19/SARS-CoV2 replication.
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