Functional roles of 5-methylcytosine (m5C) in regulating cell fate in normal tissues and human disease (A01)

• Subject Area: General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 439669440

DNMT2, NSUN2 and NSUN6 catalyze the transfer or a methyl group to the C5-position of specific cytosines in tRNA. The presence of 5-methylcytosine (m5C) can affect tRNA cleavage, and misregulation can lead to cellular differentiation defects and disease. By developing small-molecule modulators targeting the active-site cysteine, and a potent, selective RNA aptamers, the therapeutic potential of modulating methylase activity will be evaluated. These will also be used as tools, alongside genetic depletion, to investigate mechanisms by which m5C controls cell fate and differentiation.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 319: RMaP: RNA Modification and Processing
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Professorin Michaela Frye, Ph.D., since 7/2021; Professor Dr. Frank Lyko, since 7/2021; Professorin Dr. Tanja Schirmeister, since 7/2021