Universitą degli studi di Pavia
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Galimberti research activity
Synthesis, degradation and export of RNA.
In eukaryotic cells, pre-mRNA synthesis occurs at the border of condensed chromatin areas, the so-called perichromatin region. After post-transcriptional modifications the mature mRNA is exported from the nucleus in the form of perichromatin fibrils or stored as perichromatin granules.
Our group has recently demonstrated that an active, myosin/actin driven movement is implicated in the export of about 20% of the small ribosomal subunits. It seems logical to think that the transport/export of mRNA can also be due to an energy-dependent mechanism. In parallel, about 90% of newly synthesized RNA is degraded in the nucleus. We are studying, in particular, the role of nuclear RNase A and the subcellular sites where the enzyme degrades RNA. The main techniques for this research are related to cytochemical and ultrastructural studies, in particular immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization at EM level.
In eukaryotic cells, pre-mRNA synthesis occurs at the border of condensed chromatin areas, the so-called perichromatin region. After post-transcriptional modifications the mature mRNA is exported from the nucleus in the form of perichromatin fibrils or stored as perichromatin granules.
Our group has recently demonstrated that an active, myosin/actin driven movement is implicated in the export of about 20% of the small ribosomal subunits. It seems logical to think that the transport/export of mRNA can also be due to an energy-dependent mechanism. In parallel, about 90% of newly synthesized RNA is degraded in the nucleus. We are studying, in particular, the role of nuclear RNase A and the subcellular sites where the enzyme degrades RNA. The main techniques for this research are related to cytochemical and ultrastructural studies, in particular immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization at EM level.
