Study of the DEAD-box RNA helicase encoded by the gene CC0835 in Caulobacter crescentus

• Grant number: 14/13552-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2014
• End date: September 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Marilis Do Valle Marques
• Grantee: Alexandre Magno Vicente
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/04046-8 - Regulatory networks of bacterial stress response, AP.TEM

Abstract

Caulobacter crescentus is a gram-negative bacterium, non-pathogenic and freeliving, present mainly in aquatic environments. This species has been used as an important model system for the study of the cell cycle, due to the capability of their cells to divide into two distinct daughter cells. Its complex life cycle, combined with the gene control developed by this species in response to its environment, makes it an excellent model for studies of genes related to mechanisms of environmental stress response. At low temperature, the formation of secondary structures in the RNA is energetically favorable; this process can, however, jeopardize its functions and, consequently, the cellular processes in which they participate. At this point, it is essential the expression of specialized proteins, such as cold shock proteins, RNA helicases and RNA chaperones, in order to help the cell to adjust to the new environmental condition. In this context, the DEAD-box RNA helicase encoded by CC0835 can perform a remarkable role, since mutants show reduced fitness at 30°C and high sensitivity to cold, suggesting an important cellular role, which still remains unknown. This project proposes to construct a strain in which the protein will be fusioned to an epitope recognized by a commercial antibody, allowing study its expression during the cell cycle and at different environmental conditions. Also its interaction with specific RNAs will be investigated by co-immunoprecipitation and identification of RNAs by large scale sequencing (High-Throughput Sequencing of RNA isolated by Cross-Linking Immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP). Therefore, the understanding of its expression regulatory signals and interaction with RNAs will allow the elucidation of its cellular role. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ASSIS, NADINE G.; RIBEIRO, RODOLFO A.; DA SILVA, LARISSA G.; VICENTE, ALEXANDRE M.; HUG, ISABELLE; MARQUES, MARILIS V.. Identification of Hfq-binding RNAs in Caulobacter crescentus. RNA BIOLOGY, v. 16, n. 6, MAR 2019. (16/06378-3, 14/13552-4, 14/04046-8, 15/21025-7)

AGUIRRE, ANGEL A.; VICENTE, ALEXANDRE M.; HARDWICK, STEVEN W.; ALVELOS, DANIELA M.; MAZZON, RICARDO R.; LUISI, BEN F.; MARQUES, MARILIS V.. Association of the Cold Shock DEAD-Box RNA Helicase RhlE to the RNA Degradosome in Caulobacter crescentus. Journal of Bacteriology, v. 199, n. 13, JUL 2017. (14/04046-8, 14/13552-4)

DE ARAUJO, HUGO L.; MARTINS, BIANCA P.; VICENTE, ALEXANDRE M.; LORENZETTI, ALAN P. R.; KOIDE, TIE; MARQUES, V, MARILIS. Cold Regulation of Genes Encoding Ion Transport Systems in the Oligotrophic Bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM, v. 9, n. 1, SEP 2021. (19/08514-0, 18/17309-8, 19/13440-5, 14/13552-4, 17/03052-2)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

VICENTE, Alexandre Magno. Study of the DEAD-box RNA helicase encoded by the gene CC0835 in Caulobacter crescentus.. 2017. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.