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Research Area B: Nucleotide modifications

P6

The laboratory of Katharina Höfer characterises RNA decapping processes in the model organism E. coli. Of particular interest is the Nudix hydrolase NudC, which is described to decap RNAs that are modified at their 5’-terminus, with the cellular redox factor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). The conversion of NAD-RNA to 5’monophosphorylated RNAs triggers an RNase E-mediated RNA decay in E. coli.

The doctoral researcher of P6 is Elyès Gaaloul

P7

The laboratory of Lennart Randau performs experiments towards the “Characterisation of NUDIX hydrolases of hyperthermophilic archaea”. Apparently, like their bacterial counterparts, archaeal NUDIX enzymes participate in cellular processes including mRNA decapping, the removal of potentially hazardous ADP-ribose and the regulation of cellular NADH/NAD+ ratios. P7 will analyse how these enzymes cleave a large variety of nucleoside diphosphates, and how this impacts cellular physiology.

The doctoral researcher of P7 is Michel Brück

P8

Martin Thanbichler’s group investigates the “Biochemical characteristics of bacterial ParB-type CTP switch proteins”. It has only recently become clear that CTP is also used to mediate nucleotide switches, thereby steering protein activity. As ParB-type proteins are widely distributed in bacteria, it will be highly interesting to study how their activity is regulated by CTP pools in different species.

The doctoral researcher of P8 is starting at a later date.