Ataide Lab

Rezwan Siddiquee, Carol Pong, Caitlin McCormack, and collaborators Ruth Hall and Alex Wu.

The seekRNA technology uses the site-specific insertion properties of the unusual transposition system of IS110/1111 family members that is mediated by an RNA guided mechanism. The unique reprogrammable seekRNA precisely recognizes the target site in a unique manner and the transposase autonomously insert the new DNA sequence in a precise directional manner without site duplication or indels. We are investigating the molecular details of the system and re-engineering it as the new frontier in genome manipulation technique.

Yichen (Jessica) Zhong, Madeline McCrae, Esther Zhang, Jameel Abduljalil, and collaborators A. Prof Ann Kwan, A. Prof Belinda Abott, Prof Sarah Woodson.

RNPs are composed of RNAs and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and they regulate essential pathways of cells survival in all kingdoms of life. To date very few molecules target RBPs and they represent an untapped source or new targets for drug development ranging from antibiotics, anti-virals and for treatment of other diseases such as cancer. Our team is developing a pipeline to identify and develop molecules that mimic the RNA, such as modified RNAs or PNAs (Peptide Nucleic Acids) or direct target the RNA binding site in RBPs via a small molecule or modified peptides.

Cell survival relies in several fundamental biological processes regulated by specialized RNPs. Currently, our understanding of each biological process regulated by RNPs is far from complete. Our team has elucidated two of these processes:

Yichen (Jessica) Zhong and collaborators Junjie Feng, Adrian F Koh, Abhay Kotecha and Basil Greber.

Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) is an essential RNP conserved across all kingdoms of life that recognizes and delivers in a co-translational manner membrane and secretory proteins to the plasma membrane in prokaryotes and to the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotes. Our recent work has solved a long-standing question about function of the human SRP68/72 protein using cryo-EM structure and biochemical characterization of their RNA binding activity to coordinate ribosome handover and un-stalling. 

Rezwan Siddiquee and past members James Walshe and collaborator Karishma Patel

ANTAR domain controls genes expression upon binding of an hexaloop present in anti-termination RNA stem to prevent premature termination of RNA transcription of certain genes. Using X-ray crystallography and biochemical characterization of the RNP structure we have identified a new set of interactions that can be used in synthetic biology to create new regulatory circuits.

Yichen Zhong, Junjie Feng, Adrian F Koh, Abhay Kotecha, Basil J Greber, Sandro F Ataide

Nucleic Acids Research, gkae107, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae107

Rezwan Siddiquee, Carol H. Pong, Ruth M. Hall, Sandro F. Ataide

bioRxiv 2024.04.26.591405; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.26.591405