Regulation of multiple genes expression for constructing artificial gene expression network in human cells

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26350964
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biomolecular chemistry
• Research Institution: Konan University
• Principal Investigator: ENDOH Tamaki 甲南大学, 先端生命工学研究所, 准教授 (90550236)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 遺伝子発現制御 / 転写反応 / RNA / アプタマー / 構造変化 / リボスイッチ / 翻訳反応 / 四重鎖構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

RNA switches, which change theirs conformation in response to binding of their target ligand and subsequently interact with Tat-peptide, were rationally designed by considering stabilities of RNA conformations before and after the ligand binding. Tat-peptide is derived from trans activator of transcription (Tat) protein, which activates transcription upon binding to its target RNA. Thus, the RNA switches would be functional units for constructing transcription regulation system in response to a specific target molecule.
In addition, possibility of the RNA switch for translation regulation was investigated. Translation efficiency of a reporter mRNA depended on whether its 5′ untranslated region is forming G-quadruplex or maturely exclusive hairpin. Translation regulation would be possible by controlling the equilibrium between the G-quadruplex and hairpin structures that would applicable for multistep gene regulation together with the transcription regulation system as mentioned above.

Free Research Field

生体分子機能工学