Teachers

Control of gene expression is exerted by multiple steps such as transcription, RNA processing and export, mRNA stability, translation and post-translational events. Recent discovery of small RNAs has enhanced the impact of post-transcriptional regulation, in particular alterations of mRNA stability on gene regulations. Control of mRNA turnover is important not only for changing the level of mRNA, but also for determining the transition time of mRNA, which is critical for quick response to environmental changes. The goal of our projects is to demonstrate the importance of mRNA turnover control in the regulating gene expression in response to stress conditions in plants.

References

• Chiba, Y., Mineta, K., Hirai, Y. M., Suzuki, Y., Kanaya, S., Takahashi, H., Onouchi, H., Yamaguchi, J., and Naito, S. Changes in mRNA stability associated with cold stress in Arabidopsis cells. Plant Cell Physiol., 54: 180-194 (2013)
• Tanaka, M., Takano, J., Chiba, Y., Lombardo, F., Ogasawara, Y., Onouchi, H., Naito, S. and Fujiwara, T.: Boron-Dependent Degradation of NIP5;1 mRNA for Acclimation to Excess Boron Conditions in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell，23: 3547-3559 (2011)
• Chiba, Y. and Green, P.J.: mRNA degradation machinery in plants. J. Plant Biol., 52: 114-124 (2009)
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• Chiba, Y., Ishikawa, M., Kijima, F., Tyson, R.H., Kim, J., Yamamoto, A., Nambara, E., Leustek, T., Wallsgrove, R.M. and Naito, S: Evidence for autoregulation of cystathionine γ-synthase mRNA stability in Arabidopsis. Science, 286: 1371-1374 (1999)