1. STAR TREK: An Introduction to STAR Family Proteins and Review of QKI Karen Artzt and Jiang I. Wu Abstract History of the STAR Family The Domain Structure and Alternate Splicing of STAR Proteins STAR Proteins Have a Multitude of Developmental Functions Diverse Molecular Functions of STAR Proteins in RNA Processing Qk Expression in the Adult Nervous System and Disease Qk 3? UTR Conservation and a High Theoretical Number of miRNA Binding Sites Discussion and Conclusion Future Applications, New Research, Anticipated Developments 2. THE STAR FAMILY MEMBER: QUAKING (QKI) AND CEL SIGNALING Yue Feng and Andrew Bankston Abstract Introduction QKI Is Essential for Embryonic and Postnatal Development Phosphorylation of QKI Isoforms by Src?PTKS Regulates the Cellular Fate of QKI mRNA Targets at Multiple Post?Transcriptional Steps Numerous Extracellular Signals Can Be Linked to the Src?PTK?QKI Pathway Potential Role of QKI And Src?PTK Signaling in Tumorigenesis and Cognitive Diseases Conclusion 3. INSIGHTS INTO THE STRUCTURAL BASIS OF RNA RECOGNITION BY STAR DOMAIN PROTEINS Sean P. Ryder and Francesca Massi Abstract Introduction The STAR Domain RNA Recognition By STAR Proteins Star Domain Structure Conclusion Note Added in Proof 4. Post?translat ional Regulat ion of STAR Proteins and Effects on Their Biological Functions Claudio Sette Abstract Introduction Sam68: A Brief Overview Regulation of Sam68 Functions by Tyrosine Phosphorylation Regulation of Sam68 Functions by Serine/Threonine Phosphorylation Regulation of Sam68 Functions by Methylation Regulation of Sam68 Functions by Acetylation and Sumoylation Post?Translational Modifications of SLM?1 and SLM?2 Post?Translational Modifications of the QKI Proteins Post?Translational Modifications of SF1 Conclusion 5. EXPRESSION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE star PROTEINS Sam68 AND t?star IN MAMMALIAN SPERMATOGENESIS Ingrid Ehrmann and David J. Elliott Abstract Gene Expression Control in Spermatogenesis Expression ofSTAR Proteins during Spermatogenesis Protein Structure and Modifications Mouse Knockout Models Define the Roles of STAR Proteins in Testis Function The STAR Protein Sam68 Is Involved in Translational Control in Spermatogenesis STAR Proteins Might Play Roles in Pre?mRNA Splicing Control in Spermatogenesis Other Potential Roles of STAR Proteins in Spermatogenesis Conclusion 6. The role of quaking in mammalian embryonic development Monica J. Justice and Karen K. Hirschi Abstract Introduction Quaking Is Required for the Formation of Embryonic Vasculature QKI5 Regulates QKI6 and QKI7 in Visceral Endoderm Molecular Basis of Blood Vessel Formation Quaking Is Required for Visceral Endoderm Differentiated Function Other Possible Roles for Quaking in Cardiovascular Development The Evolving Roles of Quaking Function Conclusion 7. Drosophila STAR Proteins: What Can Be Learned from Flies? Talila Volk Abstract STAR Proteins in Drosophila HOW Regulates Differentiation of Diverse Tissues HOW and Kep1 Regulate Cell Division and Apoptosis in Drosophila Conclusion Note Added in Proof 8. C. ELEGANS STAR PROTEINS, GLD?1 AND ASD?2, REGULATE SPECIFIC RNA TARGETS TO CONTROL DEVELOPMENT Min?Ho Lee and Tim Schedl Abstract Multiple Functions of GLD?1 in Germline Development GLD?1 Molecular Analysis mRNA Targets: GLD?1 Is a Translational Repressor mRNA Targets: Further Insights into GLD?1 Function in Germline Development mRNA Targets: Towards Defining the GLD?1 RNA Binding Motif and Mechanism of Translational Repression How Is GLD?1 Expression Regulated? ASD?2, Another C. elegans Star Protein, Functions in Alternative Splicing Conclusion 9. THE BRANCHPOINT BINDING PROTEIN: In and Out of the Spliceosome Cycle Brian C. Rymond Abstract Bbp and Sf1 Are Site?Specific Rna Binding Proteins A Bbp?Mud2 Heterodimer Functions in Branchpoint Recognition Bbp?Mud2 and the Dynamics of Early Spliceosome Assembly Co?Transcriptional Pre?mRNA Splicing But Is Bbp Really an
About the Author: Talila Volk is an associate professor in the field of Developmental Biology and the incumbent of the Sir Ernest B. Chain Professional Chair. Her major research interest is in tissue morphogenesis and organogenesis during embryonic development. She has been studying the function and activity of the STAR family member Held Out Wing (HOW) in the fruit fly Drosophila since 1999. She served as the chair for the Society of Developmental Biology in Israel (ISDB). Dr. Volk has gained her BSc from Tel-Aviv University, and her MSc and PhD degrees from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. Karen Artzt is an Ashbel Smith Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin where she directed a research laboratory for 20 years. There she was a member of the Section of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Prior to that she was an associate Member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Her main research interests include developmental genetics with an emphasis on cancer biology. In collaboration with Tom Ebersole she identified and cloned the mouse gene quaking that was one of the founding members of the STAR family. Dr. Artzt received her academic degrees from Cornell university; a BA from the Ithaca campus and a PhD from the Medical College School of Graduate Sciences in New York City. In 1972 she spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow at the Pasteur Institute in Paris under the direction of the Nobel Prize winner, Francois Jacob.