Date of Graduation
8-2024
Document Type
Dissertation (PhD)
Program Affiliation
Cancer Biology
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Advisor/Committee Chair
George A. Calin, M.D., Ph.D.
Committee Member
M. James You, M.D., Ph.D.
Committee Member
Marina Konopleva, M.D., Ph.D.
Committee Member
Alessandra Ferrajoli, M.D.
Committee Member
Maria Teresa Bertilaccio, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Yejing Ge, Ph.D.
Abstract
Ultraconserved regions (UCRs) are genomic segments with perfect (100%) conservation between the orthologous regions of human, rat, and mouse genomes. UCRs can be transcribed into mono-exonic long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) known as transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs). These regions, despite lacking protein-coding potential, are increasingly recognized for their regulatory roles in gene expression, including the modulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts. NcRNAs play crucial roles in cellular processes, including oncogenic transformation, with emerging evidence revealing their ability to encode small peptides known as ncRNA-encoded peptides (ncPEPs). These peptides, originating from small open reading frames (smORFs), contribute to diverse cellular functions and are implicated in disease pathogenesis.
Keywords
Functional Peptides, Ultraconserved Regions, CRISPR-Cas9, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Adaptive Immunity, B-cell Development
Included in
Biology Commons, Genetics and Genomics Commons, Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons, Medical Sciences Commons