Recognition and consequences of RNA G4 structures during stress and infection (A23)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology ; General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology ; Biochemistry ; Immunology
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 369799452

G-quadruplex structures (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures. They can form within both RNA and DNA of host cells but are also found in all tested viral genomes. The helicase DHX36 unfolds G4s efficiently and modulates RNA stability, which directly impacts cellular stress signals. Combining molecular, immunological and next generation sequencing approaches we will reveal how and why DHX36 controls RNA G4 formation in the cytoplasm and how this relates to changes of the immune response during viral infection.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 237: Nucleic Acid Immunity
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Katrin Paeschke