Looking for LARP6 function in the Brain

Abstract

LARP6, or La‐related protein 6, is known to play a role in post‐transcriptional regulation of collagen mRNA. The La Module of LARP6 is an RNA recognition module that is comprised of a La Motif and an RRM domain. The La Module binds to a conserved stem loop structure on the 5′ UTR of collagen type 1a1 and 1a2 mRNA. Interaction between LARP6 and the 5′ UTR has been shown to increase the expression of collagen type 1. Interestingly, LARP6 mRNA is highly expressed within the brain while collagen mRNA is expressed at very low levels. The purpose of this project is to investigate the functions of LARP6 within a brain system, where the cognate function of LARP6 may differ from collagen rich tissues. Here we report on characterization of several potential model cell lines, SH‐SY5Y, PC12, bEnd.3 and LX‐2 cells, using western blot analysis, confocal microscopy, and qPCR for studying LARP6 in the brain. Once an ideal system is identified we will conduct CLIP‐seq, which will allow us to identify new RNA ligands of LARP6.Support or Funding InformationThe project described was supported by Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grants #P20GM103408 and P20GM109095. We also acknowledge the support from The Biomolecular Research Center at Boise State with funding from the National Science Foundation, Grants # 0619793 and #0923535; the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust; and the Idaho State Board of Education.