One way in which functional diversity is created in the human genome is through post-transcriptional gene regulation (PTGR). PTGR is mediated by non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and the modulation of this process is an important regulatory step in cell death or survival. Changes in many cancer transcriptomes are prevalent and thus, an important aspect of understanding the mechanism of human cancers is to investigate RNA metabolism. Generally, RNAs cannot function by themselves, and form active molecules in cells by binding to certain classes of proteins called RBPs. Importantly, RBP association with RNAs is functionally dynamic for the entire lifetime of RNAs. Therefore, RBPs are the key components in the regulation of transient and functional dynamics of RNAs, and RNPs are critical components in the study of cell- and tissue specific RNA metabolism. To date, there has been no systems biology approach that attempts to address the issue of analyzing the transcriptone and proteome of a given RNP simultaneously.

To overcome this, we developed an innovative systems biology approach that captures the molecular interactions in living cells and provides a genome-wide profiling of proteome and transcriptome. This ribo-proteomics strategy is a powerful tool that should be applicable for studies of all aspects of RNA metabolism in cell, tissue and animal models. Unlike other traditional crosslinking strategies, the ribo-proteomics strategy is more efficient and enables a high-throughput proteome analysis by mass spectrometry. The combination of this strategy with genome-wide analysis tools provides insights about global RNP dynamics and its effect on cancer biology in vivo.

JJ Gruber, SH Oljiniczak, J Yong, G La Rocca, G Dreyfuss, CB Thompson (2012) Ars2 Promotes Proper Replication-Dependent Hisone mRNA 3' End Formation. Molecular Cell. Volume 45. Issue 1. 87-98.

PhD University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

MS Seoul National University

Post-Doc University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine