Project description
Cellular master regulator proteins in RNA viruses infection
RNA viruses have RNA as their genetic material which plays a central role during infection. The viruses use cellular RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to support infection. Host cells also employ RBPs to combat viruses. The EU-funded vRNP-capture project aims to discover the repertoire of cellular RBPs with master regulatory roles in RNA virus infection. A viral RNA interactome capture, a novel method developed in the host laboratory, will allow the elucidation of viral ribonucleoprotein composition with unprecedented depth and specificity. The technology employs pulse-labeling of viral RNA with a photoactivatable nucleotide analogue, UV crosslinking, viral RNA purification and quantitative proteomics. It will enable the discovery of cellular RBPs with master regulatory roles in infection as potential targets for broad-spectrum antiviral therapies.
Objective
RNA is a central molecule for RNA virRNA is a central molecule for RNA virus infection. However, viral genomes encode very few proteins that are able to interact with viral RNA. Hence, viruses co-opt cellular RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to support infection. The host cell also employs RBPs to combat viruses through the recognition of unusual signatures present viral RNAs. Despite these critical roles, the complement of cellular RBPs involved in infection remains largely unknown. This research programme aims to discover comprehensively and unbiasedly the repertoire of cellular RBPs endowed with master regulatory roles in virus infection. To achieve this, we will exploit a novel method developed in my laboratory, named viral RNA interactome capture (vRIC), that allows the elucidation of viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) composition with unprecedented depth and specificity. It employs pulse-labelling of viral RNA with a photoactivatable nucleotide analogue, UV crosslinking, viral RNA purification with antisense probes and quantitative proteomics. (Aim 1) I hypothesise that cellular RBPs that interact with a broad-range of viral RNAs are likely endowed with master regulatory roles in infection. To test this, I will apply vRIC to cells infected with different RNA viruses to discover RBPs that are shared across viral RNPs. Moreover, we will employ interferon α to investigate if the engagement of these RBPs with viral RNA is regulated by the antiviral state. (Aim 2) To test if these broad-spectrum RBPs display master regulatory roles in infection, I will apply a novel functional screen using genetically modified cells and a broad library of fluorescent viruses. (Aim 3) We will then decipher the molecular mechanisms underpinning the ability of these RBPs to support or restrict infection. In summary, this innovative research programme will discover cellular RBPs with master regulatory roles in infection with great potential as targets for broad-spectrum antiviral therapies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG
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G12 8QQ Glasgow
United Kingdom
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