The MEX3 protein family of RNA binding E3 ubiquitin ligases - a switch for controlling rapid mRNA decay (A26*)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 278001972

Project A26N will investigate the ubiquitin switch of MEX3 E3 ubiquitin ligases on rapid mRNA decay by the CCR4-NOT deadenylation complex, with a focus on MEX3C and HLA-A2 mRNA stability in the immune system. We will combine in vitro reconstitution of the system with an integrative structural approach including cryogenic electron microscopy, macromolecular crystallography, crosslinking mass-spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Structure guided protein variants will be tested in cells for their protein-protein interaction network and for their functional consequences on HLA-A2 mRNA stability and HLA-A2 surface expression.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 186: Molecular Switches: Spatio-temporal Control of Cellular Signal Transmission
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
• Project Head: Dr. Eva Petra Absmeier