Abstract: Metazoan development and homeostasis requires precise spatial-temporal regulation of gene expression. This decision making process extends well beyond simply turning genes on or off by regulating transcription. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play important roles in governing the fate of RNA transcripts. As our understanding of RBP function and targeting specificity grows, so too does the cast of players involved in human disease. In this seminar, Dr. Sanford will focus on his recent work characterizing the function of Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3, IMP3). IMP3 is strongly expressed during embryogenesis but virtually undetectable in normal adult tissues. In many cancerous cells IMP3 expression is robustly restored and strongly correlates with patient survival. This onco-fetal expression profile suggests the intriguing hypothesis that IMP3 may play important roles in oncogenesis.
