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One of the most intricate and fundamental processes of life is the translation of the genetic code into proteins. Decoding mRNA-based information into the corresponding sequence of amino acids is performed by a complex ribonucleoprotein particle, the ribosome. Traditionally, the ribosome is viewed as a highly conserved machinery with an invariable RNA and protein complement. This perception of invariance has been perpetuated by the determination of high-resolution structures, which implied that ribosomes are homogeneous entities that are not considered to have an intrinsic regulatory capacity. In my group, we aim to challenge this assumption and to decipher mechanisms in bacteria that modulate the translational program by ribosome heterogeneity. In particular, we focus on modifications of ribosomal RNAs and proteins that alter ribosome specificity in response to environmental stress.
We address the phenomenon of ribosome heterogeneity and reprogramming of protein synthesis in vivo and in vitro employing a multifaceted approach combining state-of-the-art methods of molecular biology and bacterial physiology using the model organism Escherichia coli. We further complement our studies with structural analyses to gain detailed insights into the molecular basis of ribosome heterogeneity and specificity. As the sites of modifications are expected to be pivotal for pathogenic bacteria to survive and to recover from stress encountered during host infection, they might represent novel targets for the future design of antimicrobials.
Isabella Moll received her doctorate in microbiology in 2000 from the University of Vienna. After her postdoctoral research, Isabella received the Hertha-Firnberg Award in 2005 allowing her to become independent investigator at the Centre of Molecular Biology, Vienna. In 2017, she was appointed as professor for molecular bacteriology at the Max Perutz Labs.
Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9
1030 Vienna
Room: 4.028
+43-1-4277-54606
We have identified a novel post-transcriptional stress response in E. coli that is based on the functional specialisation of ribosomes. The stress-activated endoribonuclease MazF targets the 16S rRNA in the context of the ribosome and removes its functionally important 3´-terminus. These modified ribosomes exclusively translate distinct mRNAs causing a rapid modulation of the translational program.
Recently, we provided evidence for the regeneration of the specialized ribosomes during recovery from stress. The truncated 16S rRNA is repaired in the context of the ribosome by the activity of the RNA ligase RtcB. These results raise the ribosome from the mere protein synthesis machinery to a regulatory hub, which can integrate environmental cues in the process of protein synthesis.
In E. coli and most likely all Gram-negative bacteria, ribosomal protein S1 is pivotal for translation initiation. Recently, we have elucidated the interaction surface between the N-terminal domain of S1 and the ribosome at atomic resolution. Our data suggest novel mechanisms that modulate protein synthesis in response to environmental cues by changing the affinity of S1 for the ribosome.
Sabine Bechter
Diploma/Master Student +43-1-4277-54631
Room: 4.125/4.127
Hena Comic
Diploma/Master Student +43-1-4277-54632
Room: 4.129
Michel Fasnacht
Senior PostDoc +43-1-4277-54632
Room: 4.129
Barbara Grundner
Diploma/Master Student
+43-1-4277-54632
Room: 4.129
Leila Hadziabdic
PhD Student +43-1-4277-54632
Room: 4.129
Isabella Moll
Group Leader +43-1-4277-54606
Room: 4.028
Olesya Nazarenko
Diploma/Master Student +43-1-4277-54632
Room: 4.129
Armin Resch
Lab Manager +43-1-4277-54631
Room: 4.122/4.124
Denise Schratt
Diploma/Master Student +43-1-4277-54632
Room: 4.129
Elisabeth Sonnleitner
Lecturer +43-1-4277-54631
Room: 4.122/4.124
Elisa Stanescu
Diploma/Master Student +43-1-4277-54632
Room: 4.129
Benedek Tóth
Diploma/Master Student +43-1-4277-54631
Room: 4.122/4.124
Autoregulation of mazEF expression underlies growth heterogeneity in bacterial populations.
Nikolic, Nela; Bergmiller, Tobias; Vandervelde, Alexandra; Albanese, Tanino G; Gelens, Lendert; Moll, Isabella
The RNA ligase RtcB reverses MazF-induced ribosome heterogeneity in Escherichia coli.
Temmel, Hannes; Müller, Christian; Sauert, Martina; Vesper, Oliver; Reiss, Ariela; Popow, Johannes; Martinez, Javier; Moll, Isabella
The MazF-regulon: a toolbox for the post-transcriptional stress response in Escherichia coli.
Sauert, Martina; Wolfinger, Michael T; Vesper, Oliver; Müller, Christian; Byrgazov, Konstantin; Moll, Isabella
Nutrient-regulated control of lysosome function by signaling lipid conversion
14:00 - 15:00
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12:00 - 13:00 ZoomProtein homeostasis and lifelong cell maintenance
11:00 - 12:00 IMBA/GMI Lecture HallDissecting the turgor sensing mechanisms in the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
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13:15 - 14:15 UBB - Lecture Hall 1Gene regulatory mechanisms governing human development, evolution and variation
13:00 - 14:00 IMBA/GMI Lecture HallRegulation of Cerebral Cortex Morphogenesis by Migrating Cells
11:00 - 12:00 IMBA/GMI Lecture HallPhage therapy for treating bacterial infections: a double-edged sword
13:30 - 14:30 UBB - Lecture Hall 3Suckers and segments of the octopus arm
11:00 - 12:00 IMBA/GMI Lecture HallUsing the house mouse radiation to study the rapid evolution of genes and genetic processes
13:15 - 14:15 UBB - Lecture Hall 1CRISPR jumps ahead: mechanistic insights into CRISPR-associated transposons
11:30 - 12:30 Max Perutz Labs SR 1 (6th floor)SLiMs and SHelMs: Decoding how short linear and helical motifs direct PPP specificity to direct signaling
14:00 - 15:00 MFPL main building, 6th floor SR1/2Title to be announced
11:30 - 12:30 Max Perutz Labs SR 1 (6th floor)Visualising mitotic chromosomes and nuclear dynamics by correlative light and electron microscopy
11:30 - 12:30 Max Perutz Labs SR 1 (6th floor)Enigmatic evolutionary origin and multipotency of the neural crest cells - major drivers of vertebrate evolution
13:15 - 14:15 UBB - Lecture Hall 1Engineered nanocarriers for imaging of small proteins by CryoEM
11:00 - 12:00 GMI Orange Seminar RoomBacterial cell envelope homeostasis at the (post)transcriptional level
13:15 - 14:15 UBB - Lecture Hall 1Title to be announced
14:00 - 15:00 VBC5 Lecture Hall A+B/ZoomHydrologic extremes alter mechanisms and pathways of carbon export from mountainous floodplain soils
12:00 - 13:00 UBB - Lecture Hall 1Dissecting post-transcriptional gene expression regulation in humans and viruses
11:00 - 12:00 IMBA/GMI Lecture HallPolyploidy and rediploidisation in stressful times
13:15 - 14:15 UBB - Lecture Hall 1Prdm9 control of meiotic synapsis of homologs in intersubspecific hybrids
11:30 - 12:30 Max Perutz Labs SR 1 (6th floor)Title to be announced
14:00 - 15:00 VBC5 Lecture Hall A+B/ZoomRNA virus from museum specimens
13:15 - 14:15 UBB - Lecture Hall 1Programmed DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis: Mechanism and evolution
11:30 - 12:30 Max Perutz Labs SR 1 (6th floor)Title to be announced
11:00 - 12:00