# Prokaryotic RNA Metabolism

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $387,170

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The long-term goal of this research project is to understand the basic principles that govern
mRNA degradation, a process that plays a key role in controlling gene expression in all
organisms. The immediate goal is to elucidate the mechanism of action of diadenosine
tetraphosphate, a stress-induced alarmone that has been implicated in a variety of cellular
phenotypes important for bacterial pathogenesis, including invasiveness, biofilm formation,
motility, replication, and antibiotic tolerance. Our recent discovery that mRNA degradation is
impeded in Escherichia coli cells whose Ap4A concentration is elevated as a result of the
absence of the major Ap4A hydrolase ApaH suggests a possible basis for these cellular
properties. The objective of this research proposal is to determine the mechanism by which
Ap4A and ApaH influence mRNA decay and the breadth of their impact. Achieving this objective
will require the use of a variety of molecular biological, biochemical, and genetic methods. The
knowledge gained from these studies will provide fundamental insights into a novel aspect of
gene regulation that appears to be important for bacterial pathogenesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9841941
- **Project number:** 5R01GM035769-33
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** JOEL G BELASCO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $387,170
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-01-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9841941

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9841941, Prokaryotic RNA Metabolism (5R01GM035769-33). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9841941. Licensed CC0.

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