Meetali Singh

Assistant Professor

Research

Small RNA mediated epigenetic regulation of host-parasite interactions.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved pathway across all eukaryotic species with a notable exception of some of the parasitic protozoa, including Plasmodium falciparum. On the other hand, protozoan parasites like Toxoplasma, Trichomonas, and Trypanosoma among others retained RNAi, however, with RNAi factors having an atypical domain organization. We are investigating the biogenesis of small RNAs via atypical RNAi factors in an evolutionary context in these clinically important parasites and study small RNA function in the parasite’s life cycle, pathogenesis, and host-parasite interaction. In the long term, we would also like to profile the epigenetic landscape of clinical isolates and use our understanding to identify biomarkers for diagnostics and develop intervention methods.

The main focus areas of the lab include

1. How are small RNAs synthesized using minimal and atypical RNAi machinery?

2. What is the role of the small RNA pathway in the life cycle of parasites?

3. How do small RNAs and other epigenetic pathways regulate host-pathogen interaction?

Selected Publications

Singh M*, Chazal M*, Quarato P, Bourdon L, Malabat C, Vallet M, Vignuzzi M, Werf S.v.d, Behillil S, Donati F, Sauvonnet N, Nigro G, Bourgine M, Jouvenet N, Cecere G. A virus-derived microRNA targets immune response genes during SARS-CoV-2 infection. EMBO Rep. 2021, doi: 10.15252/embr.202154341
Singh M, Cornes E, Li B, Quarato P, Bourdon L, Dingli F, Loew D, Proccacia S, Cecere G. Translation and codon usage regulate Argonaute slicer activity to trigger small RNA biogenesis. Nat Comms. 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23615-w
Quarato P, Singh M, Cornes E, Li B, Bourdon L, Didier C, Cecere G. Germline inherited small RNAs facilitate the clearance of untranslated maternal mRNAs in C. elegans embryos. Nat Comm. 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21691-6
Barucci G*, Cornes E*, Singh M*, Li B, Ugolini M, Samolygo A, Didier C, Dingli F, Loew D, Quarato P, Cecere G. Small-RNA-mediated transgenerational silencing of histone genes impairs fertility in piRNA mutants. Nat Cell Biol. 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41556-020-0462-7. *Equal contribution, Highlighted on Cover page of Nature Cell Biology