In vivo analysis of trypanosome mitochondrial RNA function by artificial site-specific RNA endonuclease-mediated knockdown.

ABSTRACT: Trypanosomes possess a unique mitochondrial genome called the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). Many kDNA genes encode pre-mRNAs that must undergo guide RNA-directed editing. In addition, alternative mRNA editing gives rise to diverse mRNAs and several kDNA genes encode open reading frames of unknown function. To better understand the mechanism of RNA editing and the function of mitochondrial RNAs in trypanosomes, we have developed a reverse genetic approach using artificial site-specific RNA endonucleases (ASREs) to directly silence kDNA-encoded genes. The RNA-binding domain of an ASRE can be programmed to recognize unique 8-nucleotide sequences, allowing the design of ASREs to cleave any target RNA. Utilizing an ASRE containing a mitochondrial localization signal, we targeted the extensively edite

SUBMITTER: Szempruch AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4574754 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature