Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Fall 11-3-2020

Abstract

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) regulate several processes in the cell, including alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation. Hu proteins, a class of ELAV-like RBPs, are crucial for proper development and maintenance of the nervous system. Several Hu proteins, including HuD, have been shown to regulate alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation of neuronal transcripts. However, previous studies have relied on molecular techniques to analyze individual transcripts, which do not provide a global overview of the transcriptome. The purpose of this study was to develop a bioinformatics pipeline to analyze splicing and polyadenylation using RNA-sequencing data. Once the pipeline was developed, it was utilized to analyze the effect of HuD KO on cortical transcripts. HuD KO was found to impact both alternative splicing and polyadenylation of genes that have been implicated in several nervous system and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biomedical Sciences

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

First Committee Member (Chair)

Nora Perrone-Bizzozero, PhD

Second Committee Member

David N. Linsenbardt, PhD

Third Committee Member

Fernando Valenzuela, MD/PhD

Fourth Committee Member

Amy Gardiner, PhD

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