# Mechanisms and Regulation of Nuclear mRNA Export

> **NIH NIH R35** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $394,652

## Abstract

Project Summary
Export of mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression. As
mRNA is synthesized, it is processed and packaged with a myriad of proteins to form ribonulceoprotein
particles (mRNPs). Our research focuses on determining the specific changes in mRNP protein
composition, referred to as mRNP remodeling, that drive the process of mRNA nuclear export. A major step
where mRNPs undergo extensive remodeling is the formation of export-competent mRNPs. This is
mediated by the evolutionarily conserved TREX (TRanscription/EXport) complex, which recruits transport-
specific proteins onto a nuclear mRNP through the actions of its ATPase subunit Sub2. Our recent discovery
of the activation mechanism of Sub2 has primed the way toward defining the cascade of molecular events
that lead to export-competent mRNPs. Broadly, my lab at Vanderbilt combines the power of structural
biology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology to elucidate the nuclear mRNP remodeling process with
the focus on two areas. First, we will determine the sequence and mechanism of events that prepare nuclear
mRNP for export. This includes characterization of the mechanism of key players in nuclear mRNP
remodeling and identification of the molecular links between nuclear mRNP remodeling and pre-mRNA
processing steps. Second, we will investigate how mRNA export is altered in response to physiological and
pathological conditions. We seek to understand how mRNA export is tuned to regulate specific biological
processes and how dysregulation of this pathway contributes to human pathogenesis such as viral infection.
Ultimately, the knowledge generated from these studies will provide vital insights into the mRNA export
pathway that is both of fundamental cell biological importance and is relevant to human health and disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9993545
- **Project number:** 5R35GM133743-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Yi Ren
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $394,652
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-09 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9993545

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9993545, Mechanisms and Regulation of Nuclear mRNA Export (5R35GM133743-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9993545. Licensed CC0.

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