12 research outputs found
Loss of ribosomal RNA modification causes developmental defects in zebrafish
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play key roles in diverse cellular activities, and efficient ncRNA function requires extensive posttranscriptional nucleotide modifications. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a group of ncRNAs that guide the modification of specific nucleotides in ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and small nuclear RNAs. To investigate the physiological relevance of rRNA modification in vertebrates, we suppressed the expression of three snoRNAs (U26, U44 and U78), either by disrupting the host gene splicing or by inhibiting the snoRNA precursor processing, and analyzed the consequences of snoRNA loss-of-function in zebrafish. Using a highly sensitive mass spectrometric analysis, we found that decreased snoRNA expression reduces the snoRNA-guided methylation of the target nucleotides. Impaired rRNA modification, even at a single site, led to severe morphological defects and embryonic lethality in zebrafish, which suggests that rRNA modifications play an essential role in vertebrate development. This study highlights the importance of posttranscriptional modifications and their role in ncRNA function in higher eukaryotes
Inshore Fisherman's Improvement Committee sponsored conference, Clarenville, Jan. 12, 1987
Footage from the Inshore Fisherman's Improvement Committee conference in Clarenville, 12 Janaury 1987, featuring Dr. Doug House of Memorial University presenting the Committee's report.Incomplete and appears to be edited. Lacks closing credits. Minor distortion throughout