Projects & Grants




Molecular Mechanisms and evolution of RNA polyadenylation in euglenophyte plastids
Project Id21-19664S
Main solverprof. Mgr. Marek Eliáš, Ph.D.
Period1/2021 - 12/2023
ProviderKatedra biologie a ekologie, Standardní grantový projekt GA AV
Statesolved
AnotationEuglenophytes are a group of charismatic unicellular algae with plastids evolved via a complex process of secondary endosymbiosis. The model species, Euglena gracilis, has for long been employed in research on basic biological questions and is a promising resource for biotechnologies. Recently, genome-scale data and a method for targeted genetic manipulations have become available for Euglena. Building on these critical advances, previous work in the applicant?s lab, and new surprising insights, we propose to illuminate a poorly understood phenomenon of RNA polyadenylation in the euglenophyte plastid. We will combine diverse methods to define the characteristics of plastid RNA 3?-tails in E. gracilis, determine the distribution of plastid RNA polyadenylation in different euglenophyte groups, characterize candidates for plastid proteins involved in poly-/deadenylation, and put the plastid RNA polyadenylation into a broader functional and evolutionary context. The results will significantly advance our understanding of basic molecular processes in plastids in general.