Date: Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 1, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong [Mixed mode: Face-to-Face and Zoom]

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Zoom Link: https://hku.zoom.us/j/99421607808?pwd=Z1lkd015WllnaGpOemdidWc3dWNBQT09

Meeting ID: 994 2160 7808

Password: 568525

Time: 5:00 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Sin Yee Fung (Post-doctoral Fellow)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. DY Jin
Presentation Title: Understanding pathological mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a
Abstract: Highly pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 are human coronaviruses that are the causative agents for the past SARS outbreak and the current COVID-19 pandemic. Cytokine storm is one of the key pathological triggers of severe disease and death in SARS and COVID-19. Understanding pathological mechanism of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 aids development of targeted therapy against highly pathogenic human coronaviruses. We have previously identified SARS-CoV ORF3a as one of the drivers in SARS-CoV-induced cytokine storm by promoting inflammasome assembly and NF-kB activation. We found that SARS-CoV ORF3a homolog, SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, also promoted IL-1β secretion. To further delineate the molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, we identified UBE2V1 as a novel binding partner of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 orf3a from protein interactome. In addition, our up-to-the-minute findings on exosomal secretion of ORF3a will be presented.

Time: 5:30 p.m. 
Speaker: Dr. Rui Dong (Post-doctoral Fellow)
Primary Supervisor: Dr. KO Lai
Presentation Title: The role of the RNA-binding protein G3BP1 in regulating protein synthesis and synapse development in neuron
Abstract: Synaptic transmission in the brain occurs mostly at dendritic spines. These specialized protrusions on neuronal dendrites have diverse morphologies, ranging from the immature elongated filopodia to the mature mushroom spine. Abnormal dendritic spine morphology is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism. Dendritic spine maturation depends on local protein synthesis, in which selective mRNAs are transported to dendrites and translated near synapses under the control of specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Nonetheless, how RBP function is controlled in neuronal dendrites is not clear. G3BP1 is a key RBP in stress granules and modulates protein synthesis upon cellular stresses, but the physiological function of G3BP1 in neuron without stress remains elusive.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Miss River Wong at 3917 9216.