 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
||
RNA turnover meeting
RNA Regulatory Mechanisms Implicated in Human Diseases Both Rare and Common
REGISTRATION UPDATE:
DEADLINE for abstract submission has been extended to September 15, 2008.
DEADLINE for registration has been moved to September 26, 2008.
The importance of RNA stability has become increasingly evident in recent years because it is recognized that the outcome of gene expression is controlled by the amounts of mRNAs that accumulate in cells. Moreover, despite the regulation that is afforded by transcription, post-transcriptional events significantly influence protein production given that translational control is the final determinant. It is known that RNA stability and translation are intimately coupled but these mechanisms are poorly understood. In addition, RNA stability is a key factor in discarding defective RNAs that might otherwise cause problems for cells by producing defective proteins or interfering with the functions of normal RNAs.
This meeting will bring together experts who will address molecular mechanisms and cellular interactions that govern RNA stability in many disease-relevant systems as well as in various species. Among the most interesting of these systems are diseases that are rare and need special consideration because they are for various reasons often overlooked by researchers and pharmaceutical companies. For example, the rare paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis disorders and fragile X syndrome both involve RNA-binding proteins that affect RNA stability and/or translational control. Many rare pancreatic diseases, including pancreatic cancer involve dysregulation of RNA stability. Moreover, immune disorders, including autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome and polymyositis/ dermatomyositis involve the formation of autoantibodies reactive with RNA-binding proteins that affect RNA stability. Also, diseases like Cockayne syndrome and related DNA repair/transcription disorders such as Xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy potentially involve regulatory alterations at the level of RNA stability and translation. In addition, infectious organisms (e.g. trypanosomes) and viruses (e.g. herpes) gain advantages by using RNA stability to block host functions and/or to replicate themselves. Many of these diseases, whether rare or common, involve the functioning of microRNAs and other small regulatory RNAs that interact with messenger RNAs and RNA-binding proteins. Thus, this meeting will examine various models involving cellular ribonucleoprotein components that regulate RNA stability and translation across these many disease types while considering their implications for etiology, diagnosis and therapy.