Factors and RNA modifications regulating mRNA decay

The mRNA degradation machinery can be targeted to modulate the rates of elimination of specific transcripts. This regulation occurs through the recognition of particular features in mRNAs such as the presence of sequence or secondary structure bound by dedicated RNA binding proteins or the ability to be efficiently translated. Interestingly, the post-transcriptional modification of specific RNA nucleotides is also used as a meant to control RNA decay. We are investigating the deposition and recognition of modified residues and deciphering the mechanism by which these changes modulate mRNA decay.