Regulation of mRNA decay and translation during the cellular stress response

Human cells encountering adverse conditions respond by selective shut-down of normal energy-demanding processes in order to mount a proper stress response. This includes production of the major cellular biosynthesis machinery - the ribosome. We have recently identified 3 key translational repressors that confer a stress-mediated inhibition of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding ribosomal proteins. With this project we wish to disclose how these 3 repressors balance mRNA levels and protein output, by controlling cellular mRNA decay- and translation machineries. We aim to further our understanding of the molecular details of these protein-RNA interphases, and disclose new regulatory events in the stress response. These insights will have important implications for disease including cancer.