An ion channel that allows you to see at night: the cryo-EM structure of the rod CNG channel opens up the hypothesis of mRNA editing on the CNGB1 sequence
Zurich Seminars in Bioinformatics - Jacopo Marino, Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institut
- 12:15 UZH Irchel Y55-l-06/08 and ZOOM Call
Abstract I will present the latest advances in cryo-electron microscopy and how this technique allows to solve protein structures at fast pace also of difficult protein targets, thus revolutionizing the field of structural biology and biomedicine. I will then focus on the recent developments on solving the structure of a ion channel that is located in rod photoreceptors of the retina, a protein complex that was discovered nearly 35 years ago and its structure has finally being revealed (article).
The analysis of this structure opens up the hypothesis of mRNA editing (A to I editing) at one specific site, a modification that was reported for other ion channels expressed in the brain. I am thus very excited to discuss this hypothesis with those of you that deal with the analysis of tissue-specific mRNA sequencing datasets. Hope it will be of any interest.