Research
The ultimate objective of this research is to understand how RNA protein complexes regulate and react to cellular processes
1. How YBX3 domains mediate regulation of RNA. YBX proteins contain three modular domains which includes the RNA-binding cold shock, N-terminal, and variable C-terminal domains. It is unknown whether each domain works separately or cooperatively to regulate RNA function in the cell. 2. Identifying YBX3 dependent protein complexes that assemble on YBX3 mRNA targets. YBX3 has been shown to both repress and activate the translation of proteins within the same cell type. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this bipartite ability have not been deduced. 3. Uncovering the post-transcriptional role of YBX3 as it relates to cell proliferation and growth. I recently uncovered a novel role for YBX3 in post-transcriptional regulation of L1 amino acid transporter system. This system is integral for amino acid homeostasis, including maintaining sufficient abundance of seven of the nine essential amino acids. |