The Boag lab is primarily interested in understanding how post transcriptional gene regulation influences development and cellular function. In a number of cell types, such as oocytes and neurons, many mRNAs are transcribed but are not immediately translated. Instead, these mRNAs are maintained in a translationally repressed state in predicted RNA-protein storage granules and only become translated upon specific cues. Some of the proteins involved in the storage of oocyte mRNAs are also present in Processing-bodies (P-bodies), recently identified cytoplasmic granules where many mRNA regulatory pathways are present, including decapping- and nonsense-mediated mRNA degradation and small RNA-mediated translational silencing (e.g. micro RNAs). The emerging similarities between germline storage granules and P-bodies suggests that the formation of RNA-protein granules is a conserved and important mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis. We are interested in elucidating the mechanisms governing the formation and function of germline mRNA storage granules and their requirement for fertility and embryonic viability.

Hammell CM, Lubin I, Boag PR, Blackwell TK, Ambros V. (2009) nhl-2 Modulates microRNA activity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Cell. 2009 Mar 6;136(5):926-38. Boag, P. R., Atalay, A., Robida, S., Reinke, V. and Blackwell, T. K. (2008). Protection of specific maternal messenger RNAs by the P body protein CGH-1 (Dhh1/RCK) during Caenorhabditis elegans oogenesis. J Cell Biol 182, 543-57. PDF Gartner, A., Boag, P. R. and Blackwell, T. K. (2008). Germline survival and apoptosis. WormBook, 1-20. PDF Walker, A. K., Boag, P. R. and Blackwell, T. K. (2007). Transcription reactivation steps stimulated by oocyte maturation in C. elegans. Dev Biol 304, 382-93. PDF Lehtinen, M. K., Yuan, Z., Boag, P. R., Yang, Y., Villen, J., Becker, E. B., DiBacco, S., de la Iglesia, N., Gygi, S., Blackwell, T. K. et al. (2006). A conserved MST-FOXO signaling pathway mediates oxidative-stress responses and extends life span. Cell 125, 987-1001. PDF Boag, P. R., Nakamura, A. and Blackwell, T. K. (2005). A conserved RNA-protein complex component involved in physiological germline apoptosis regulation in C. elegans. Development 132, 4975-86.