mRNA turnover is an essential process which controls and shapes gene expression. mRNA and proteins involved in mRNA degradation are concentrated in cytoplasmic foci termed RNA granules, which are highly induced upon multiple cellular stresses. The protein components of RNA granules play significant roles under stress and in aging. Our previous research has shown that the absence of mRNA sequestration in these structures can alter mRNAs' stability and abundance. We recently determined that one of the protein components of RNA granules significantly and specifically alters mRNA expression genome-wide due to changes in mRNA stability. The changes in expression are significant for specific classes of mRNA important for responding to stress.

Our goal is to obtain a general understanding of the role of sequestration of RNA binding proteins within larger cytoplasmic structures by examining a set of proteins found in RNA granules. Specifically, what is each protein's effect on gene expression when sequestered and is it specific or general? The effect of sequestration of these proteins will be assessed for global changes in mRNA abundance, stability and transcription. This will be combined with crosslinking and analysis of cDNA (CRAC) bound by the proteins both within RNA granules and free in the cytosol to obtain an inventory of mRNA populations. The results obtained from these studies will be examined with a focus on their physiological role to combat stress or premature aging.