Role, biogenesis, and biodegradation of NpnN RNA caps in prokaryotes
Abstract
Recent discovery of RNA caps such as NAD and CoA leads to reassessment of RNA structure in all types of cells. In our search for new RNA modifications, we have discovered brand new class of 5‘caps – dinucleoside polyphosphates (NpnN) in bacteria. So far, we have not identified methyltransferases that methylate them. We do not know what regulates their incorporation into RNA, what RNA are capped with NpnNs and what is the role of NpnN caps. The task of the thesis is to reveal the role, biogenesis and biodegradation of these new caps.
Field of study: Cell Biology
References:
- Chen, Y. et al. LC/MS analysis of cellular RNA reveals NAD-linked RNA. Nat. Chem. Biol. 5, 879 (2009).
- Cahová, H. et al. NAD captureSeq indicates NAD as a bacterial cap for a subset of regulatory RNAs. Nature, 519, 374 (2015).
- Hudeček, O., et al. Dinucleoside polyphosphates act as 5’-RNA caps in bacteria bioRxiv doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/563817 (under revision Nature Comm.)
Universities
PhD students must be enrolled in a partner university and will be employed by the IOCB Prague at the same time (part-time or full time), which results in a competitive salary (a scholarship from the university + a salary from the IOCB). Each university has its own process, terms, and deadlines for PhD applications, which is separate from the IOCB recruitment process. You may discuss the details with the respective PI.
University partners
How to apply
Please return to the PhD projects at IOCB Prague – Call for Applications 2020 page and follow the instructions.