Project
Unraveling mechanisms of Prokaryotic Argonautes
Prokaryotic Argonautes (pAgos) are a diverse group of proteins that can use DNA or RNA guides to target complementary DNA/RNA. They protect their bacterial or archaeal host against invading nucleic acids such as plasmids and viruses. However, the exact mechanisms and possible alternative functions of pAgos are unknown. We aim to unravel the mechanisms and function of prokaryotic Argonautes.
Background
In humans and other animals and plants (eukaryotes), immune systems protect their host against bacteria, viruses and other invaders. Bacteria and archaea (prokaryotes) also have to protect themselves against viruses (phages) and against other mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as plasmids and transposons. Such MGEs are a metabolic burden and cause a fitness disadvantage. To prevent uptake and/or propagation of MGEs, prokaryotes have evolved various immune systems, including CRISPR-Cas and Restriction-Modification systems.
Argonaute proteins can be found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In eukaryotes Argonaute proteins (eAgos) are involved in RNA interference. Here, Argonaute proteins use an RNA guide to cleave or facilitate degradation of a target RNA that is complementary to the RNA guide. This targeted degradation of RNAs by eAgos underlies post-transcriptional gene silencing, but it can also be important for interference with MGEs such as transposons and RNA viruses. While eAgos only bind RNA guides and targets, certain prokaryotic Argonaute homologs (pAgos) can also bind DNA guides and cleave DNA targets. As both eAgos and pAgos function in defence against MGEs, Argonaute proteins are the only known nucleic acid guided immune system that is conserved from prokaryotes to eukaryotes.
Aim of the project
Prokaryotic immune systems have only recently attracted more interest due to the characterization of the CRISPR-Cas systems and their applications in genome editing and therapeutics. While various DNA-guided DNA targeting pAgos have been shown to function as immune systems, the mechanisms behind this targeting and possible other functions are largely unknown. We aim to uncover the unknown mechanisms and functions of prokaryotic Argonautes.
Join the project for a bachelor or master thesis
As a thesis student you will:
- Learn various biochemical, microbial, and biophysical techniques
- Perform both in vitro and in vivo experiments
- Perform molecular cloning and express and purify proteins
Contact
Do you have a question about argonautes, or would you like to join us as a student researcher? Please contact us.