Dissecting SBDS function in Arabidopsis thaliana
type: CreativeWork
description: Ribosome biogenesis has been extensively studied across various organisms, yet its complex mechanisms in plants remain underexplored. The SBDS protein, a highly conserved factor across eukaryotes, is essential for ribosome maturation and function. Interestingly, the Arabidopsis thaliana SBDS (AtSBDS) protein has a unique C-terminal zinc finger extension that distinguishes it from homologues in other organisms. This research aims to elucidate the role of the SBDS protein in plants, with a particular focus on this zinc finger domain. I hypothesise that the zinc finger domain of AtSBDS interacts with eIF6, similar to homologues Rei1 and Vms1, potentially contributing to its eviction from the 60S ribosomal subunit as part of a ribosome quality control system. Furthermore, I propose that this domain plays a critical role in ribosome biogenesis and plant viability. Using A. thaliana as a model organism, this study investigates the functional role of AtSBDS protein, with a particular focus on its distinctive zinc finger extension. A multidisciplinary approach, integrating genetic, biochemical, and structural biology techniques, has been employed to elucidate its functions and address the central hypothesis of this research. Three formal results chapters present data on AtSBDS, including: 1) the genetic analysis of AtSBDS localisation and the effect of hypomorphic mutations on plant viability, along with functional characterisation of the zinc finger extension, demonstrating its indispensability for plant development; 2) biochemical analyses, including NMR and proteomic studies, which provide direct evidence of an interaction between AtSBDS and eIF6 mediated by the zinc finger domain, with cross-species experiments using Dictyostelium discoideum conditional SBDS mutants offering insights into the evolutionary conservation of SBDS function; and 3) preliminary cryo-EM data, which provide the first visualisation of A. thaliana ribosomal subunits and reveal AtSBDS and AteIF6 bo…
abstract: Ribosome biogenesis has been extensively studied across various organisms, yet its complex mechanisms in plants remain underexplored. The SBDS protein, a highly conserved factor across eukaryotes, is essential for ribosome maturation and function. Interestingly, the Arabidopsis thaliana SBDS (AtSBDS) protein has a unique C-terminal zinc finger extension that distinguishes it from homologues in other organisms. This research aims to elucidate the role of the SBDS protein in plants, with a particular focus on this zinc finger domain. I hypothesise that the zinc finger domain of AtSBDS interacts with eIF6, similar to homologues Rei1 and Vms1, potentially contributing to its eviction from the 60S ribosomal subunit as part of a ribosome quality control system. Furthermore, I propose that this domain plays a critical role in ribosome biogenesis and plant viability. Using A. thaliana as a model organism, this study investigates the functional role of AtSBDS protein, with a particular focus on its distinctive zinc finger extension. A multidisciplinary approach, integrating genetic, biochemical, and structural biology techniques, has been employed to elucidate its functions and address the central hypothesis of this research. Three formal results chapters present data on AtSBDS, including: 1) the genetic analysis of AtSBDS localisation and the effect of hypomorphic mutations on plant viability, along with functional characterisation of the zinc finger extension, demonstrating its indispensability for plant development; 2) biochemical analyses, including NMR and proteomic studies, which provide direct evidence of an interaction between AtSBDS and eIF6 mediated by the zinc finger domain, with cross-species experiments using Dictyostelium discoideum conditional SBDS mutants offering insights into the evolutionary conservation of SBDS function; and 3) preliminary cryo-EM data, which provide the first visualisation of A. thaliana ribosomal subunits and reveal AtSBDS and AteIF6 bo…
author: Siniscalchi, Aurora
language: eng
keywords: ribosomes, Swachman-Diamond syndrome, SBDS, Arabidopsis thaliana
license: https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/aa43abcb-fb5b-481f-be01-3f8074e3dfe4/download
license: http://purl.org/NET/rdflicense/allrightsreserved
date published: 2025-01-28
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:24:01Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.119684