Gehring, Niels - assoc. RG

Our research aims to elucidate the core molecular mechanisms that govern gene expression via post-transcriptional regulation. One important direction of our work is the exon junction complex (EJC), a conserved multiprotein RNP that is deposited on mRNAs as a direct consequence of pre-mRNA splicing. The EJC serves as a molecular mark of splicing events and functions as a platform that coordinates downstream steps of mRNA metabolism, including nuclear splicing, the formation of export-competent mRNPs, cytoplasmic translation, and its regulation. Through its interactions with additional RNA-binding proteins, the EJC adapts to the distinct stages of the individual mRNP life cycle, thereby ensuring that only properly processed transcripts are efficiently expressed.

In addition to its role in promoting productive gene expression, the exon junction complex (EJC) is a key determinant of mRNA quality control. In particular, the EJC is used to sense the position of the translation termination codon and to trigger the selective turnover of transcripts that harbor premature termination codons through a process known as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). NMD serves as an essential safeguard against the production of potentially deleterious truncated proteins, while also contributing to the fine-tuning of physiological gene expression programs. Our research aims to define how faithful gene expression is maintained and how disruption of mRNP function leads to disease-relevant defects in RNA metabolism.

For information about Prof. Gehring´s research and work, please visit the following page: Gehring Lab

• Institute for Genetics, Univerity of Cologne, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science
• CMMC Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne
• CRC 1678