Poster abstracts

Poster number 135 submitted by Mariana Bonafim Piveta

The effects of Ultraviolet radiation on Ribosomal RNA and its post-transcriptional modifications

Mariana Bonafim Piveta (Chemistry - University of Cincinnati), Patrick A. Limbach (Chemistry - University of Cincinnati), Balasubrahmanyam Addepalli (Chemistry - University of Cincinnati)

Abstract:
The genotoxic effects of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) on DNA have been widely described. We are beginning to understand the impact of UVR on tRNA, where modified nucleosides are susceptible to oxidative degradation upon UVA exposure1. The post-transcriptional modifications on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) are important to maintain the structure of ribosome and to ensure efficient translation of mRNAs, so that, cell homeostasis is maintained. These nucleoside modifications are also associated with antibiotic resistance2 and their dysregulation could cause human diseases3. In the current study, we are interested in understanding the impact of UVR on Ribosomal RNA under various conditions and their potential impact to cellular translation. We will present preliminary data documenting the variations in levels of nucleoside modifications through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) following UVR exposure. Elucidation of how rRNA and its post-transcriptional modifications are affected upon stress (UVR exposure) will help understand the behavior of cellular translation, when subjected to environmental insults.

References:
1. Congliang Sun, Manasses Jora, Beulah Solivio, Patrick A. Limbach and Balasubrahmanyam Addepalli. The Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Nucleoside Modifications in RNA. ACS Chemical Biology 13 (3), 567-572 (2018). DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b0089
2. Arenz, S. & Wilson, D.N. Blast from the past: reassessing forgotten translation inhibitors, antibiotic selectivity, and resistance mechanisms to aid drug development. Mol. Cell 61, 3–14 (2016).
3. Sergiev, Petr V, Aleksashin Nikolav A, Chuguniva Anastasia A, Polikanov Yurv S, Dontsova Olga A; Structural and evolutionary insights into ribosomal RNA methylation, Nature Chemical Biology 14, 226–235 (2018).

Keywords: Ribosomal RNA, Ultraviolet Radiation, LC-MSMS