RNA structure clustering: a path to find novel RNA regulatory modules — University of Technology
  1. Schedule
  2. Posters
  3. RNA structure clustering: a path to find novel RNA regulatory modules

RNA structure clustering: a path to find novel RNA regulatory modules (14269)

Christopher I Cazzonelli 1 , Marri Shashikanth 2 , Barry J Pogson 3
  1. Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Richmond, NSW, Australia
  2. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
  3. Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

RNA secondary structure can influence gene expression and protein activity. Some RNA structural elements control processes such as transcription, splicing, protein translation and RNA-mediated gene silencing. Most studies investigating non-coding RNAs have focused on microRNA (miRNA) identification and validation. We are developing a bioinformatics pipeline to identify novel RNA classes based on structure, sequence, function and evolutionary conservation. In a pilot study consisting of sequences from the Arabidopsis genome  we clustered the 5’ messenger RNA (mRNA) untranslated leader regions (UTR) and identified miRNA as well as riboswitch-like RNA structural modules. The evolutionary and biological significance of these RNA modules are under investigation. Our preliminary results reveal that genes harbouring RNA riboswitch-like regulatory switches in the 5’UTR are enriched in metabolic processes controlling cellular metabolism.

#jajRNA14