Conference Agenda
Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).
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Daily Overview |
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CP11.1: Cells, Molecules & Genes 2 - 5 min talks Location: Lecture Theatre 1 Session Chair: Ellis Joch, Griffith University Session Chair: Wisam Dawood, Griffith University | |
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Do Plasmodium and Other Apicomplexan Parasites have Parasite Specific mRNA Export? 1: Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne; 2: Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute The formation of the nucleus is one of the most significant paradigm shifts in the evolution of species. The nucleus allows eukaryotes to transcribe with higher fidelity and better regulate the expression of their genes, resulting in highly specialised cells; the caveat being that eukaryotes must transport their RNA cargo into the cytoplasm to re-couple the partitioned transcription and translation. Most eukaryotes use an RanGTP‑dependent system for nucleocytoplasmic transport including for the export of non-coding RNA. In addition, fungi and metazoans have evolved specialised RanGTP-independent pathways to export most Poly‑A+ mRNA. The mechanisms of mRNA export in protist parasites are relatively understudied. Proteins that have conserved sequences to proteins involved in RanGTP‑independent mRNA export in humans and yeasts have been identified in Plasmodium spp. Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptosporidium spp based on conserved sequences. However it is unclear if these parasites have mechanisms of mRNA export that are analogous to the RanGTP‑independent metazoan mechanisms or if they have innovated parasite specific mechanisms of mRNA export. I aim to determine if apicomplexan parasites have evolved parasite specific processes of mRNA export by identifying key molecules involved nucleocytoplasmic transport. | |