Publications by authors named "Heather Dahlin"

Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on Escherichia coli's YicC protein, a newly identified ribonuclease crucial for RNA processing in living organisms.
  • Researchers have characterized the structure of YicC in two forms: an unbound state (apo) and one bound to RNA, revealing unique structural features like a clamshell shape that are different from known ribonucleases.
  • Findings highlight the importance of a specific domain (DUF1732) in RNA binding and catalytic activity, providing new insights into the functions of the YicC RNase family.
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Article Synopsis
  • RNA processing is essential for regulating functions in all living organisms.
  • A new family of endoribonucleases, which are enzymes that cut RNA, has been found in bacteria and is structurally conserved.
  • The study reveals that the enzyme YicC forms a hexameric channel that interacts with RNA, specifically cleaving a hairpin structure to produce shorter RNA fragments.
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Protein-interaction domains can create unique macromolecular complexes that drive evolutionary innovation. By combining bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses with structural approaches, we have discovered that the docking and dimerization (D/D) domain of the PKA regulatory subunit is an ancient and conserved protein fold. An archetypal function of this module is to interact with A-kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAPs) that facilitate compartmentalization of this key cell-signaling enzyme.

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We investigated the genome of a 5-year-old male who presented with global developmental delay (motor, cognitive, and speech), hypotonia, possibly ataxia, and cerebellar hypoplasia of unknown origin. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were performed on a family having an affected proband, his unaffected parents, and maternal grandfather. To explore the molecular and functional consequences of the variant, we performed cell proliferation assays, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) array, immunoblotting, calcium imaging, and neurite outgrowth experiments in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to compare the properties of the wild-type TATA-box-binding protein factor 1 (), deletion of , and variant p.

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