# Exploring functional complexes and disease networks within human RNA-binding protein interactomes

> **NIH NIH K22** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2020 · $124,929

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
RNA binding proteins (RBPs) bind to both coding and non-coding RNA to influence every step of the RNA life-
cycle, including pre-mRNA processing, RNA localization, and control of translation and degradation. More and
more evidence reveals that disruption of RNA metabolism is a hallmark of many human neurodegenerative
diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Understanding how RBPs act in coordinated networks to
regulate RNA fate is key to uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying these disease pathologies. A
complete catalogue of human RBPs is elusive due to the emergence of new classes of RBPs that interact with
unpolyadenylated pre-mRNAs or non-canonical RBPs that lack characterized RNA-binding domains, and thus
evade traditional RNA-interactome capture studies. We developed a computational RBP classifier based on
the observation that protein-protein interaction networks that depend on co-binding of RNA molecules can be
used to discover new classes of RBPs. This proposal seeks to utilize predictions from this classifier to
accomplish 3 main goals.
 1. Phase 1: Determine the biological function of RNA-binding by the disease-associated non-canonical
 nucleocytoplasmic transport related candidate RBP RANGAP1.
 2. Phase 2: Determine the biological function of RNA-binding for an expanded group of disease-
 associated non-canonical nucleocytoplasmic transport related candidate RBPs.
 3. Phase 2: Build an RBP centered protein-protein interaction network to expand the repertoire of human
 RBPs to characterize ALS relevant higher order RNP complexes.
My extensive experience in the study of DNA and RNA binding proteins makes me an ideal candidate to
perform the research proposed here. These aims will build towards the completion of a comprehensive list of
human RBPs that will help provide detailed maps of RNA regulatory networks. The Yeo lab at UCSD is a
leader in the field of RNA biology, and therefore is an excellent environment to perform the proposed training
and build an independent research program. The Yeo lab is situated at the heart of a major biomedical
research hub at UCSD, adjacent to the Salk Institute, and other research institutes and biotechnology
companies in La Jolla. Conducting the proposed training program here will give me access to leaders in stem
cell biology and proteomic methods that I hope to master as I transition to independence.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10200550
- **Project number:** 3K22NS112678-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristopher Brannan
- **Activity code:** K22 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $124,929
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10200550

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10200550, Exploring functional complexes and disease networks within human RNA-binding protein interactomes (3K22NS112678-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10200550. Licensed CC0.

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