Scientific Interest(s):
Dr. Feng Guo's research focuses on the functions of RNA that extend far beyond coding for amino acid sequences. Dr. Guo's research group is interested in elucidating how non-coding RNAs function by forming defined three-dimensional structures and by interacting with proteins. In particular, they are investigating how a class of small RNAs (called microRNA or miRNA) is processed and used as guides for target recognition in RNA interference. The projects will be investigated using X-ray crystallography, biochemistry and in vitro evolution methods.
Selected Cancer-Related Publications:
Barr I, Smith AT, Senturia R, Chen Y, Scheidemantle BD, Burstyn JN, Guo F. DiGeorge critical region 8 (DGCR8) is a double-cysteine-ligated heme protein. J Biol Chem. 2011 May 13;286(19):16716-25. Epub 2011 Mar 21.
Senturia R, Faller M, Yin S, Loo JA, Cascio D, Sawaya MR, Hwang D, Clubb RT, Guo F. Structure of the dimerization domain of DiGeorge critical region 8. Protein Sci. 2010 Jul;19(7):1354-65.
Faller M, Toso D, Matsunaga M, Atanasov I, Senturia R, Chen Y, Zhou ZH, Guo F. DGCR8 recognizes primary transcripts of microRNAs through highly cooperative binding and formation of higher-order structures. RNA. 2010 Aug;16(8):1570-83. Epub 2010 Jun 17.
Faller M, Matsunaga M, Yin S, Loo JA, Guo F. Heme is involved in microRNA processing. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2007; 14(1): 23-9.
Guo F, Gooding AR, Cech TR. Structure of the Tetrahymena ribozyme: base triple sandwich and metal ion at the active site. Mol Cell. 2004; 16(3): 351-62.