Summary of the science
For genes to have effects, they must first be converted into protein. Part of this process involves reading genes and converting them into a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) first. mRNA must travel from the nucleus to a different location in the cell before it is turned into a protein. During this journey, the mRNA might degrade and therefore no protein would be made. To prevent this from happening, mRNA is elongated by adding many of the same molecule (adenosine monophosphate), so that these molecules are degraded instead of the important information in the mRNA. The Passmore Lab investigates the proteins that are responsible for adding, maintaining and removing this poly(A) tail and how this affects how efficiently genes are converted into proteins.
About the research
The Passmore Lab investigates how protein complexes are used to regulate gene expression, particularly regarding the poly(A) tail. The poly(A) tail is an important factor in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Modifications to its formation and maintenance (due to various protein complexes) affect expression levels. The CPF, Ccr4-Not and Pan2-Pan3 complexes have been identified as important players in poly(A) tail regulation and the Passmore Lab is investigating the mechanisms by which they work.
About the illustration
We didn't want to overcomplicate this illustration so we kept it simple, showing various mRNA strands with poly(A) tails at different points of degradation and a DNA strand with multiple breaks, easily showing the two foci of the talk.