The First 100 Days

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The First 100 Days SPRING 2010 encounters Newsletter of the European Molecular Biology Organization ◗ I have now been in offi ce as the new director of EMBO activities like The EMBO Meeting. Turning the for three months. As expected, knowing EMBO from my journals into something completely different, previous involvement in committees and Council, I fi nd the with the risk of losing the income, is there- organization is going strong. Successful, long-established fore not an attractive option. We would like programmes, such as EMBO Fellowships and Courses & to offer ways of open-access and web-based Workshops, and newer ones, like Young Investigators, are all publication of scientifi c results, but mecha- running smoothly and delivering their services to the com- nisms for guaranteeing quality need to be munity. My predecessor, Hermann Bujard, negotiated an in- found, and the economics of such models crease to the budget for the next fi ve years, which, though need to be worked out. Together with the smaller than we had hoped, is a success given the current Head of EMBO Scientifi c Publications, Bernd economic situation and the cuts that have to be faced in Pulverer, and a newly established Scientifi c some national science budgets. So, I could happily sit back Publications Advisory Board (page 7), we and watch with pleasure as the organization does its work. will be discussing our options. I have no I do watch and also participate with pleasure, but science doubt EMBO will continue to come up with does not stand still, and nor can science politics and admin- interesting innovations, as it has in the past, istration stand still, so I do not plan to sit back comfortably. There are three areas where I feel EMBO should develop new activities and consolidate exist- The fi rst 100 days ing ones. We should look at what the scientifi c community needs in scientifi c publishing; we should extend the scientifi c spectrum of our commu- for example with the ‘transparent reviewing’ nity; and we should strengthen existing, and establish new, process, introduced to The EMBO Journal by HIGHLIGHTS contacts beyond the borders of Europe. Pernille Rørth. Scientists are irritated by many aspects of the way in Today, molecular biology is part of a Expect excellence which the culture of scientifi c publishing has developed in wide range of biological disciplines, perhaps by C. Otter the past decade: authors complain about the often excessive even of all of the life sciences. It does not Ingrid Grummt wins demands by referees for additional experiments, referees make sense to restrict membership of EMBO 2010 EMBO/FEBS 3 Women in Science Award about the burden of reviewing (for which nobody receives to the classical fi elds of core molecular biol- any true credit), and everyone – employers, scientists, even ogy, structural biology and cell and devel- the publishers – complains about the dominating role of opmental biology, from which the majority See you in Barcelona! the impact factor. Our careers and those of our postdocs of EMBO Members are drawn. We there- 10 good reasons to attend The EMBO Meeting 2010 5 and students are determined to a large extent by what we fore would like to strengthen our member- publish, and many of us feel that the way in which our ship outside these fi elds, and include more scientifi c output is judged and measured is not satisfactory. members working in areas such as evolu- The evolution of Since the role of EMBO is to serve the community of tion, neurobiology, basic medical research, scientifi c publishing by B. Pulverer scientists, but we also publish four journals, I feel that we and ecology. Since members can not only New directions and initiatives 7 cannot ignore these complaints and must think about how be recruited unless they are proposed, we for the EMBO publications we can contribute to developing new models for the publica- depend on the existing members to iden- tion of scientifi c data. This is not an easy task, as there are tify excellent candidates in these fi elds and Communicating science many different demands, and some of them contradict each propose them for election. The nomination by C. Otter other. The journals generate an income, which supplements form includes a fi eld in which the proposer Interview with evolutionary 9 our core funding received from the EMBC, the intergovern- can highlight special reasons for a candi- biologist Greger Larson mental body of EMBO. This is used to fi nance programmes date, and this should certainly be used to such as Young Investigators, and it allows us to pilot new fl ag candidates from under-represented ➞ ➞ European Molecular Biology Organization | Meyerhofstr. 1 | 69117 Heidelberg | Germany | T +49 6221 8891 0 | [email protected] www.embo.org 2 The fi rst 100 days (continued from page 1) ➞ ➞ disciplines. At the same time, we will I therefore welcome the introduction of to monitor closely to assess the effi cacy of seek other means of interacting with and EMBO Global Exchange which has precisely the new measures that were introduced last including new communities. this aim. This initiative promotes lecture series year (see EMBOencounters, Issue 11). Another We all know that science is not a local of EMBO Members and Young Investigators area in which I intend to become active is the activity, and that our scientifi c interactions and running workshops in partner countries, interaction of EMBO with society and policy are global. While EMBO is fi nanced by the 27 and conversely, inviting leading scientists makers. I will write about these themes in the EMBC Member States to promote molecular from partner countries for lecture tours in future, and, as with all our activities, welcome biology in Europe, and the funds are mostly Europe. The aim is for the scientifi c communi- input from the community.● spent within Europe, this does not mean that ties in the countries to get to know each other our activities should be insular and restricted and their way of operating, and to dissemi- to Europe. Top-level performance of molecu- nate knowledge about the science being done lar biology within Europe absolutely requires in the countries. Ideally, this will eventually interactions beyond the borders of Europe. lead to an intensifi ed exchange especially of Maria Leptin We already bring our colleagues from other younger scientists. In the fi rst instance, the [email protected] continents to Europe through EMBO Courses target areas for this programme are India, & Workshops, and our annual conference The China, Taiwan and Africa, but others will be EMBO Meeting, but I feel we must establish included, and options for fruitful interactions closer ties with other nations on a broader outside this programme also exist. basis. This involves not only bringing scien- I am aware of some of the issues that tists from other nations to Europe, but also concern the EMBO membership. Issues such our showing a presence outside Europe. as the election procedures, we will continue EMBC Delegates meet in Rome Approve funding for EMBO activities for 2010 to 2014 held in Heidelberg, 40 delegates and advisers 2010. Claudio Sunkel (Portugal) was re-elect- from the member states met in Rome on 23 ed Vice-President for a third year and Leszek November 2009 and were joined by EMBO Kaczmarek (Poland) was elected Vice- management and representatives from EMBO President for the fi rst time. Krešimir Pavelić Council. (Croatia) was re-appointed EMBC Secretary During the meeting, a small increase over General. existing funding was approved by the member Outgoing president, Peter Weisbeek (Nether- states for EMBO to deliver the EMBC General lands), closed the meeting.● Programme over the coming fi ve-year period from 2010 to 2014. http://embc.embo.org The scientifi c presentation at the November meeting was given by the Chair of EMBO Council and Nobel laureate Tim Hunt, titled Models, molecules and man: basic research and the conquest of disease. In support of EMBC Offi cers 2010 an application from Bulgaria to become a President member state of EMBC, Professor Diana Toivo Maimets EE Petkova from the Institute of Biophysics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences gave an over- Vice Presidents Toivo Maimets, EMBC President view of Bulgarian science. She listed access Claudio Sunkel PT ◗ In two sessions per year, the European Mo- to mobility, training and enhanced coop- Leszek Kaczmarek PL lecular Biology Conference (EMBC) – the eration with European scientists as benefi ts Secretary General intergovernmental funding body of EMBO for researchers from her country from the Krešimir Pavelic´ HR – meets to review EMBO programmes and proposed membership. activities. Contributions from the 27 EMBC Toivo Maimets from the Institute of Chair of Strategic Working Party Member States provide the majority of EMBO Molecular and Cell Biology, Estonia, was Toivo Maimets EE fi nances. Following on from the June meeting elected as EMBC President, effective January 3 life that if we could understand how transcrip- and encourage them to keep their eyes on Expect tion of these important genes is controlled in their goals. I think that integrating career and a normal cell, then we could understand what personal goals makes people happier and excellence was deregulated in cells that were unhealthy.’ more productive in the long run,’ she says. In 1979, Ingrid’s husband was offered a For young women starting their scientifi c by Charlotte Otter professorship at the University of Würzburg. careers, Ingrid has this to say: ‘Choose your Funded by a Heisenberg Fellowship, Ingrid lab carefully. Expose yourself to excellence ◗ The 2010 FEBS/EMBO Women in Science joined him a year later.
Recommended publications
  • ANNUAL REPORT 2010 Contents
    ANNUAL REPORT 2010 Contents I. Overviews ...............................................................................................................3 Year 2010 in review, Director of FIMM ............................................................................. 3 Views from the former and current Chair of the Board ...................................................5 II. FIMM Launch Event ................................................................................................ 6 III. How is the Nordic EMBL Partnership build-up progressing in Oslo and Umeå? ..........7 IV. Academician of Science, Professor Leena Peltonen-Palotie in memoriam .............. 8 V. Research ................................................................................................................ 10 Human Genomics ..........................................................................................................10 Medical Systems Biology and Translational Research ..................................................... 14 Research collaborations and highlights ..........................................................................21 Personalized medicine of cancer becoming a reality.......................................................25 Doctoral Training ...........................................................................................................26 VI. Technology Centre .................................................................................................28 Genomics Unit ..............................................................................................................28
    [Show full text]
  • IST Annual Report 2019
    Annual Report 2019 IST Austria administrative and The people of IST Austria technical support staff by nationality Austria 59.4% Nationalities on campus Germany 5.6% Hungary 3.1% Poland 2.5% Romania 2.5% Scientists as well as administrative and technical support staff come Italy 2.1% Russia 1.7% from all over the world to conduct and back research at IST Austria. Czech Republic 1.4% As of December 31, 2019, a total of 72 nationalities were represented India 1.4% Slovakia 1.4% on campus. Spain 1.4% UK 1.4% Other 16.1% North America Europe Asia Canada Albania Italy Afghanistan Cuba Andorra Latvia Bangladesh El Salvador Armenia Lithuania China Mexico Austria Luxembourg South Korea USA Belarus Macedonia India Belgium Malta Iran Bosnia and Netherlands Israel Herzegovina Norway Japan Bulgaria Poland Jordan Croatia Portugal Kazakhstan Cyprus Romania Lebanon Czech Republic Serbia Mongolia Denmark Slovakia Philippines Finland Slovenia Russia France Spain Singapore Georgia Sweden Syria Germany Switzerland Vietnam Greece Turkey Hungary UK Ireland Ukraine Africa Egypt Kenya IST Austria scientists by nationality Libya Austria 14.7% Nigeria Germany 10.9% South America Italy 7.4% Argentina India 5.9% Russia 4.7% Brazil Slovakia 4.1% Chile China 4.1% Colombia Hungary 3.7% Peru Spain 3.3% Uruguay USA 3.1% Czech Republic 2.9% UK 2.4% Oceania Other 32.8% Australia Content 2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 40 RESEARCH 4 Foreword by the president 42 Biology 5 Board member voices 44 Computer science 6 “An Austrian miracle” 46 Mathematics A year of celebration 48 Neuroscience
    [Show full text]
  • A Role for the M9 Transport Signal of Hnrnp A1 in Mrna Nuclear Export Elisa Izaurralde,* Artur Jarmolowski,* Christina Beisel,* Iain W
    A Role for the M9 Transport Signal of hnRNP A1 in mRNA Nuclear Export Elisa Izaurralde,* Artur Jarmolowski,* Christina Beisel,* Iain W. Mattaj,* Gideon Dreyfuss,‡ and Utz Fischer‡ *European Molecular Biology Laboratory, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; and ‡Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Pennsylvania 19104-6148 Abstract. Among the nuclear proteins associated with snRNPs or proteins carrying a classical basic NLS. Pre- mRNAs before their export to the cytoplasm are the vious work demonstrated the existence of nuclear ex- abundant heterogeneous nuclear (hn) RNPs. Several of port factors specific for particular classes of RNA. In- these contain the M9 signal that, in the case of hnRNP jection of hnRNP A1 but not of a mutant protein A1, has been shown to be sufficient to signal both nu- lacking the M9 domain inhibited export of mRNA but clear export and nuclear import in cultured somatic not of other classes of RNA. This suggests that hnRNP cells. Kinetic competition experiments are used here to A1 or other proteins containing an M9 domain play a demonstrate that M9-directed nuclear import in Xeno- role in mRNA export from the nucleus. However, the pus oocytes is a saturable process. Saturating levels of requirement for M9 function in mRNA export is not M9 have, however, no effect on the import of either U identical to that in hnRNP A1 protein transport. he transport of macromolecules between the nu- function named variously pp15, p10, or NTF2 (Moore and cleus and cytoplasm is a bi-directional process.
    [Show full text]
  • Research at a Glance 2012
    European Molecular Biology Laboratory Research at a Glance 2012 European Molecular Biology Laboratory Research at a Glance 2012 www.embl.org Research at a Glance 2012 Contents Introduction 6 About EMBL 8 Career opportunities 10 EMBL Heidelberg, Germany Directors’ Research 12 Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit 18 Developmental Biology Unit 32 Genome Biology Unit 42 Structural and Computational Biology Unit 52 Core Facilities 66 EMBL-EBI, Hinxton, United Kingdom European Bioinformatics Institute 76 Bioinformatics Services 90 EMBL Grenoble, France Structural Biology 98 EMBL Hamburg, Germany Structural Biology 110 EMBL Monterotondo, Italy Mouse Biology 120 Index 130 | Research at a Glance 2012 | 5 “EMBL combines a critical mass of expertise and resources with organisational exibility, enabling us to keep pace with today’s biology.” – Iain Mattaj 6 | Research at a Glance 2012 | e vision of the nations which founded the European Molecular Biology Laboratory was to create a centre of excellence where Europe’s best brains would come together to conduct basic research in molecular biology and related elds. During the intervening decades, EMBL has grown and developed substantially, and its member states now number twenty-one, including the rst associate member state, Australia. Over the years, EMBL has become the agship of European molecular biology and has been continuously ranked as one of the top research institutes worldwide. EMBL is Europe’s only intergovernmental laboratory in the life sciences and as such its missions extend beyond performing cutting-edge research in molecular biology. It also oers services to Euro- pean scientists, most notably in the areas of bioinformatics and structural biology, provides advanced training to researchers at all levels, develops new technologies and instrumentation, and actively engages in technology transfer for the benet of scientists and society.
    [Show full text]
  • Spliceosomal Usnrnp Biogenesis, Structure and Function Cindy L Will* and Reinhard Lührmann†
    290 Spliceosomal UsnRNP biogenesis, structure and function Cindy L Will* and Reinhard Lührmann† Significant advances have been made in elucidating the for each of the two reaction steps. Components of the biogenesis pathway and three-dimensional structure of the UsnRNPs also appear to catalyze the two transesterifi- UsnRNPs, the building blocks of the spliceosome. U2 and cation reactions leading to excision of the intron and U4/U6•U5 tri-snRNPs functionally associate with the pre-mRNA ligation of the 5′ and 3′ exons. Here we describe recent at an earlier stage of spliceosome assembly than previously advances in our understanding of snRNP biogenesis, thought, and additional evidence supporting UsnRNA-mediated structure and function, focusing primarily on the major catalysis of pre-mRNA splicing has been presented. spliceosomal UsnRNPs from higher eukaryotes. Addresses Identification of a novel UsnRNA export factor Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Cellular UsnRNP biogenesis is a complex process, many aspects of Biochemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. which remain poorly understood. Although less is known *e-mail: [email protected] about the maturation process of the minor U11, U12 and †e-mail: [email protected] U4atac UsnRNPs, it is assumed that they follow a pathway Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2001, 13:290–301 similar to that described below for the major UsnRNPs 0955-0674/01/$ — see front matter (see Figure 1). The UsnRNAs, with the exception of U6 © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. and U6atac (see below), are transcribed by RNA polymerase II as snRNA precursors that contain additional Abbreviations ′ CBC cap-binding complex 3 nucleotides and acquire a monomethylated, m7GpppG NLS nuclear localization signal (m7G) cap structure.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vitae Professor Dr. Iain W. Mattaj
    Curriculum Vitae Professor Dr. Iain W. Mattaj Name: Iain William Mattaj Born: 5 October 1952 Academic and Professional Career since 2005 Director General, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) 1999 ‐ 2005 Scientific Director, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) 1990 ‐ 2005 Programme Coordinator, Gene Expression Programme (EMBL) 1985 ‐ 1990 Group Leader at EMBL 1982 – 1985 Postdoctoral Research at the Biocenter, University of Basel with Dr. Eddy De Robertis 1979 ‐ 1982 Postdoctoral research at the Friedrich‐Miescher‐Institute, Basel, with Dr. Jean‐Pierre Jost 1978 ‐ 1979 Postdoctoral research at the University of Leeds, Dept. of Genetics, UK 1974 ‐ 1978 Postgraduate studies at the University of Leeds, Dept. of Genetics, UK with Dr. John Wootton 1970 ‐ 1974 Undergraduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland Functions in Scientific Societies and Committees 2010 ‐ 2011 FET (Future and Emerging Technologies) Flagships Science Coordination Group, Brussels since 2010 EMBO Scientific Publications Advisory Board 2009 ‐ 2010 Chair of the European Intergovernmental Scientific Research Organisation forum (EIROforum) since 2008 Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the DKFZ – ZMBH Alliance Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina www.leopoldina.org 1 since 2008 Chair of the Advisory Board for the Wellcome Trust Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, Dundee, Scotland 2007 ‐ 2010 Member of the Scientific Planning Committee, UK‐Centre for Medical Research and Innovation since 2007 Member, and from 2010 Chair,
    [Show full text]
  • Research at a Glance 2011
    European Molecular Biology Laboratory Research at a Glance 2011 European Molecular Biology Laboratory Research at a Glance 2011 Research at a Glance 2011 Contents 4 Foreword by Iain Mattaj, EMBL Director General 5 EMBL Heidelberg, Germany 6 Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit 17 Developmental Biology Unit 26 Genome Biology Unit 35 Structural and Computational Biology Unit 48 Directors’ Research 52 Core Facilities 61 EMBL-EBI, Hinxton, UK European Bioinformatics Institute 89 EMBL Grenoble, France Structural Biology 100 EMBL Hamburg, Germany Structural Biology 109 EMBL Monterotondo, Italy Mouse Biology 116 Index Foreword by EMBL‘s Director General EMBL – Europe’s leading laboratory for basic research in molecular biology The vision of the nations which founded the European Molecular Biology Laboratory was to create a centre of excellence where Europe’s best brains would come together to conduct basic research in molecular biology. During the past three decades, EMBL has grown and developed substantially, and its member states now number twenty-one, including the first associate member state, Australia. Over the years, EMBL has become the flagship of European molecular biology and has been continuously ranked as one of the top research institutes worldwide. EMBL is Europe’s only intergovernmental laboratory in the life sciences and as such its missions extend be- yond performing cutting-edge research in molecular biology. It also offers services to European scientists, most notably in the areas of bioinformatics and structural biology, provides advanced training to researchers at all levels, develops new technologies and instrumentation and actively engages in technology transfer for the ben- efit of scientists and society.
    [Show full text]
  • Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rer. Nat. Wolfram Antonin Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology
    Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfram Antonin Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology Personal Data Name: Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfram Antonin Address: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology RWTH Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 30 D-52074 Aachen Date and place of birth: September 26, 1972 in Bad Nauheim, Germany Academic Qualification 2017 W3 Professor for Biochemistry, RWTH Aachen University 2013 Habilitation in Cell Biology at the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 2001 Doctor of Natural Sciences, University of Hannover; grade: summa cum laude 1994 Diploma in Biochemistry, University of Hannover; grade: sehr gut Professional Career Since 2017 W3 Professor for Biochemistry and head of the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University 2006-2017 Independent Max Planck research group leader at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society (W2, associate professor level, Oct 2015-Jan 2017 as an Heisenberg fellow) in Tübingen 2005-2006 Staff scientist at the European Molecular Biological Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg 2002-2005 Postdoctoral fellow at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg in the group of Dr. Iain Mattaj 2001 Research associate at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen in the group of Prof. Reinhard Jahn 1997-2001 PhD student at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen in the group of Prof. Reinhard Jahn 1992-1997 Undergraduate student in Biochemistry, University of Hannover Awards
    [Show full text]
  • Press Release for IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Europäisches Laboratorium für Molekularbiologie EMBL Laboratoire Européen de Biologie Moléculaire Office of Information and Public Affairs EMBL Meyerhofstr. 1 D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany Tel: +49 - 6221 - 3870 email: [email protected] Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A formula for multiplying by two EMBL researchers identify a key mechanism in cell division Source article: Ran Induces Spindle Assembly by Reversing the Inhibitory Effect of Importin on TPX2 Activity Authors: Oliver J. Gruss, Rafael E. Carazo-Salas, Christoph A. Schatz, Giulia Guarguaglini, Jürgen Kast, Matthias Wilm, Nathalie Le Bot, Isabelle Vernos, Eric Karsenti, and Iain W. Mattaj Cell, Vol. 104, 83–93, January, 2001, Copyright © 2001 by Cell Press Scientific contact: Iain W. Mattaj, 49 6221 387 393 (phone), 49 6221 387 518 (fax), [email protected] Note: Copyright for the text and images from this press release belong to the EMBL except where otherwise noted. They may be freely used and further distributed in if proper attribution to authors and photographers are made. Photographs may only be used in connection to the publication of this story. High-resolution copies of the images can be downloaded from the EMBL web site at: www.embl-heidelberg.de/ExternalInfo/oipa EMBL Press Release - Jan. 12, 2001 A formula EMBL researchers identify a for multiplying key mechanism by two in cell division Christoph Schatz and Oliver Gruss photo: Doug Young here are roughly 100 trillion (100,000,000,000,000) cells in each of our bodies, and every one was Tproduced by cell division: the initial fertilized egg split into two daughter cells and then the numbers grew, two by two.
    [Show full text]
  • Biblio.Ugent.Be
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Ghent University Academic Bibliography biblio.ugent.be The UGent Institutional Repository is the electronic archiving and dissemination platform for all UGent research publications. Ghent University has implemented a mandate stipulating that all academic publications of UGent researchers should be deposited and archived in this repository. Except for items where current copyright restrictions apply, these papers are available in Open Access. This item is the archived peer-reviewed author-version of: Nuclear inclusion of non-targeted and chromatin-targeted polystyrene beads and plasmid DNA containing nanoparticles Authors: Symens N., Walczak R., Demeester J., Mattaj I., De Smedt S.C., Remaut K. In: Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2011, 8(5), 1757-1766 Optional: link to the article To refer to or to cite this work, please use the citation to the published version: Authors (year). Title. journal Volume(Issue) page-page. Doi 10.1021/mp200120v Nuclear inclusion of non-targeted and chromatin-targeted polystyrene beads and plasmid DNA containing nanoparticles Nathalie Symens1*, Rudolf Wa l czak2, Joseph Demeester1, Iain Mattaj2, Stefaan C. De Smedt1and Katrien Remaut1** 1. Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy (Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. 2. Directors’ Research, Mattaj Group, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraβe 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany. *[email protected] **Corresponding author: [email protected], phone number +32 9 264 80 47; fax number +32 9 264 81 89 ABSTRACT. The nuclear membrane is one of the major cellular barriers in the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA).
    [Show full text]
  • Exportin 5 Is a Rangtp-Dependent Dsrna-Binding Protein That Mediates Nuclear Export of Pre-Mirnas
    Downloaded from rnajournal.cshlp.org on October 4, 2021 - Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press REPORT Exportin 5 is a RanGTP-dependent dsRNA-binding protein that mediates nuclear export of pre-miRNAs MARKUS T. BOHNSACK,1,3 KEVIN CZAPLINSKI,2,3 and DIRK GO¨ RLICH1 1Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie, Heidelberg, Germany 2European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany ABSTRACT microRNAs (miRNAs) are widespread among eukaryotes, and studies in several systems have revealed that miRNAs can regulate expression of specific genes. Primary miRNA transcripts are initially processed to ≈70-nucleotide (nt) stem–loop structures (pre-miRNAs), exported to the cytoplasm, further processed to yield ≈22-nt dsRNAs, and finally incorporated into ribonucleo- protein particles, which are thought to be the active species. Here we study nuclear export of pre-miRNAs and show that the process is saturable and thus carrier-mediated. Export is sensitive to depletion of nuclear RanGTP and, according to this criterion, mediated by a RanGTP-dependent exportin. An unbiased affinity chromatography approach with immobilized pre-miRNAs identified exportin 5 as the pre-miRNA-specific export carrier. We have cloned exportin 5 from Xenopus and demonstrate that antibodies raised against the Xenopus receptor specifically block pre-miRNA export from nuclei of Xenopus oocytes. We further show that exportin 5 interacts with double-stranded RNA in a sequence-independent manner. Keywords: miRNA; tRNA; nuclear transport; exportin; translation regulation; silencing INTRODUCTION Most nuclear protein transport pathways are mediated by importins or exportins, which are all (at least distantly) The nuclear envelope (NE) separates eukaryotic cells into a related to importin ␤ (Imp␤;for reviews, see Mattaj and nuclear and a cytoplasmic compartment and thereby neces- Englmeier 1998;Wozniak et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Trustees (Incorporating Strategic Report) and Financial Statements for the Period 3 October 2012 to 31 December 2013
    REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 08239097 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1149638 Report of the Trustees (incorporating Strategic Report) and Financial Statements for the Period 3 October 2012 to 31 December 2013 for THE FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETIES Hill Wooldridge & Co. Limited Statutory Auditor & Chartered Accountants 107 Hindes Road Harrow Middlesex HA1 1RU THE FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETIES Contents of the Financial Statements for the Period 3 October 2012 to 31 December 2013 Page Report of the Trustees incorporating Strategic Report 1 to 13 Report of the Independent Auditors 14 to 15 Statement of Financial Activities 16 Balance Sheet 17 Cash Flow Statement 18 Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 19 Notes to the Financial Statements 20 to 28 THE FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETIES Report of the Trustees incorporating Strategic Report for the Period 3 October 2012 to 31 December 2013 The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report, which incorporates the strategic report, with the financial statements of the charity for the period 3 October 2012 to 31 December 2013. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 08239097 (England and Wales) Registered Charity number 1149638 Registered office 98 Regent Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1DP Trustees I Pecht
    [Show full text]