At a Glance We use three different model systems (fruitfly,
mouse and human) to study the molecular, cellular and
developmental biology of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins
(snRNPs). Why are snRNPs so interesting? Small nuclear
ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs; pronounced ‘snurps’) are required
for pre-messenger RNA splicing and are thus essential components
of all eukaryotic cells. Whereas the basic mechanics of splicing
are fairly well-understood, the biogenesis of snRNPs is
relatively unclear. The long-term goal of our laboratory is to
understand the molecular mechanisms that govern the assembly and
subcellular localization of small RNPs. In short, we seek to
uncover the process by which snRNPs are packaged, transported
and delivered to their nuclear sites of action. Curiously, the
initial phases of snRNP biogenesis actually begin in the
cytoplasm, following nuclear export of the pre-snRNA transcript.
Assembly into stable RNP particles is mediated by the Survival
Motor Neurons (SMN) protein complex. Subsequently,