When:
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT
Where: Robert H Lurie Medical Research Center, Baldwin Auditorium, 303 E. Superior, Chicago, IL 60611 map it
Audience: Faculty/Staff - Student - Post Docs/Docs - Graduate Students
Contact:
Dr. Eva Gottwein
(312) 503-8230
Group: Department of Microbiology-Immunology Seminars/Events
Category: Lectures & Meetings
The Department of Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series
"Lessons from Viruses: Novel Roles for Non-coding RNAs in the Regulation of Gene Expression"
Demian Cazalla, PhD / University of Utah
Description
Herpesvirus saimiri is an oncogenic herpesvirus that expresses seven Sm-class non-coding RNAs of unknown function called HSURs. We have found that one of these HSURs (HSUR2) base-pairs with mRNAs and recruits two cellular miRNAs to repress the expression of its target mRNAs. Using this mechanism, this virus can inhibit apoptosis in infected cells. These results reveal a new function for Sm-class RNAs as regulators of gene expression after pre-mRNA processing, and uncover a previously unrecognized strategy used by herpesviruses to rewire cellular pathways to escape apoptosis.