Chemical Regulation of Functional RNAs

We study the mechanisms of specificity and regulation of enzymes that act on RNA. We identified the molecular basis for how a small molecule, heme, affects microRNA processing enzyme Drosha. We show that heme acts as a signaling factor to switch on processing of a subset of microRNAs. Other chemicals such as S-adenosylmethioinine, and transfer of its methyl group to RNA, can also have a big role in RNA-mediated gene regulation. We show the mechanistic details of how RNA methylation is accomplished, using crystal structures and biochemical studies.








Yunsun Nam (UT Southwestern Medical Center)