Today's Messages

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar “Deciphering the role of protein synthesis in neurodevelopment,” presented by Dr. Dragony Fu on Monday, September 8, at 3:00 p.m. in SAMC 151. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies leading up to the seminar.

Research Seminar Abstract: Intellectual disability (ID) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting more than 1 in 100 individuals worldwide. Recent genetic studies have linked numerous cases of ID to variants in proteins that modify the chemical structure of RNA. However, the mechanisms by which tRNA modification enzymes influence brain development are enigmatic. Here, we focus on deciphering the biological role of tRNA methyltransferase 1 (TRMT1), a tRNA modification enzyme important for human neurodevelopment. Individuals with TRMT1 mutations exhibit cognitive deficits, growth delay, and brain abnormalities early in age. We have discovered that TRMT1 modifies more than half of all tRNAs in mammalian cells and is required for the stability of certain tRNAs. Moreover, loss of TRMT1 in human cells causes proliferation defects and up-regulation of pathways involved in protein folding. To understand the function of TRMT1 in neurodevelopment, we have generated a novel TRMT1-deficient mouse strain which exhibits brain and developmental abnormalities. Based upon these findings, we propose that TRMT1-catalyzed modifications play a critical role in the biogenesis and function of tRNAs to ensure proper levels of protein synthesis during mammalian growth and development.  Altogether, our research forges new connections between RNA modification, protein synthesis, and neurodevelopment.