Marc Boudvillain (editor) - RNA Remodeling Proteins: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology, 2209)

For further volumes: http://www.springer.com/series/7651 For over 35 years, biological scientists have come to rely on the research protocols and methodologies in the critically acclaimed Methods in Molecular Biology series. The series was the first to introduce the step-by-step protocols approach that has become the standard in all biomedical protocol publishing. Each protocol is provided in readily-reproducible step-by step fashion, opening with an introductory overview, a list of the materials and reagents needed to complete the experiment, and followed by a detailed procedure that is supported with a helpful notes section offering tips and tricks of the trade as well as troubleshooting advice. These hallmark features were introduced by series editor Dr. John Walker and constitute the key ingredient in each and every volume of the Methods in Molecular Biology series. Tested and trusted, comprehensive and reliable, all protocols from the series are indexed in PubMed.

For over 35 years, biological scientists have come to rely on the research protocols and methodologies in the critically acclaimed Methods in Molecular Biology series. The series was the first to introduce the step-by-step protocols approach that has become the standard in all biomedical protocol publishing. Each protocol is provided in readily-reproducible step-by-step fashion, opening with an introductory overview, a list of the materials and reagents needed to complete the experiment, and followed by a detailed procedure that is supported with a helpful notes section offering tips and tricks of the trade as well as troubleshooting advice. These hallmark features were introduced by series editor Dr. John Walker and constitute the key ingredient in each and every volume of the Methods in Molecular Biology series. Tested and trusted, comprehensive and reliable, all protocols from the series are indexed in PubMed.

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Five years after the first edition of the Methods in Molecular Biology volume on RNA remodeling proteins, we have the pleasure to provide the scientific community with a new collection of cutting-edge approaches devoted to the study of this seminal class of proteins. The tremendous progress of RNA biology has confirmed the obvious: yes, RNA functions rest on specific structures and partnerships with proteins. The often complex and highly dynamic ballet of RNAprotein interactions usually starts as soon as the nascent transcript emerges from the transcription machinery. Then, throughout the RNA life cycle, proteins bind and release the RNA chain, remodeling RNA structures and interactions to drive the maturation, quality control, transport, storage, utilization, or destruction of RNA as a function of cellular needs.

Different classes of proteins contribute to remodel RNA and RNAprotein complexes. The case of NTP-independent RNA chaperones has been addressed in the 2015 edition of this book and in a new, separate volume of the series (RNA chaperones, volume 2106; Heise, Tilman, Ed.). Here, we more specifically focus on proteins that use the energy derived from NTP cofactor (RNA helicases) or RNA phosphodiester backbone (ribonucleases) hydrolysis to remodel RNA or ribonucleoprotein structures. RNA helicases trigger conformational rearrangements but do not modify the RNA chain itself, whereas ribonucleases irreversibly alter the structures of their RNA substrates in maturation or decay pathways.

Both RNA helicases and ribonucleases are present in all kingdoms of life where they play key physiological roles and often represent valuable pharmacological targets. In this book, experts of the field share their most recent protocols and bench tricks to dissect the mechanisms of these important factors in vitro and in vivo. Following a general trend of the field, the book also contains protocols to better identify the physiological targets, cofactors, and biological functions of RNA remodeling proteins and describes current attempts to discover drugs able to control the functions of RNA helicases in various pathological contexts.

This book is the result of a collective effort and I would like to thank all authors for their enthusiastic contributions and suggestions. I also would like to thank John Walkerthe Series editorfor his guidance throughout the process of assembling and editing the book manuscript.