The serine/arginine-rich (SR-) family proteins constitute a diverse group of pre-mRNA splicing factors that are essential for viability. They can be characterised based on the presence of one or two RRMs and an RS domain. A subset, of which SRSF1 is the prototype, is capable of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling; a process governed by continual cyclic phosphorylation of the RS domain. In contrast, SRSF2, another member of the SR family, is unable to shuttle due to the presence of a nuclear retention sequence (NRS) at the C-terminus of its RS domain. When this NRS is fused to SRSF1, it prevents nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the SRSF1-NRS fusion protein. In addition to its nuclear roles, SRSF1 is directly associated with the translation machinery and can activate mRNA translation of target transcripts via an mTOR-dependent mechanism. The specific mRNA translational targets that SRSF1 serves to regulate encode numerous factors including RNA processing factors and cell-cycle proteins. The aim of this work is to study the physiological relevance of SRSF1 cytoplasmic functions, as previous data have relied on overexpression systems. CRISPR/Cas9 editing was used to knock-in the NRS naturally present in SRSF2 at the SRSF1 genomic locus, creating an SRSF1-NRS fusion protein. After numerous attempts, it was only possible to obtain a single viable homozygous clone in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), despite being able to successfully tag the genomic SRSF1 locus. This strongly suggests that the ablation of SRSF1 shuttling ability is highly selected against in mESCs. To assess the physiological importance of SRSF1 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling during development, a mouse model for SRSF1-NRS was also developed. SRSF1-NRS homozygous mice are born at correct Mendelian ratios, but are small in size and present with severe hydrocephalus. Finally, proteomics was used to identify interactors of endogenous cytoplasmic SRSF1 and those that bind the NRS of SRSF2 to gain insights into the mechanism of nuclear retention for non-shuttling SR proteins. In summary, this work analyses the physiological relevance of cytoplasmic SRSF1 function and the consequences of the SRSF1-NRS allele in mouse development.

abstract: The research question explored in this thesis is how CRISPR mediated editing is influenced by artificially opened chromatin in cells. Closed chromatin poses a barrier to Cas9 binding and editing at target genes. Synthetic pioneer factors (PFs) are a promising new approach to artificially open condensed heterochromatin allowing greater access of target DNA to Cas9. The Haynes lab has constructed fusions of enzymatic chromatin-modifying domains designed to remodel chromatin and increase Cas9 editing efficiency. With a library of PFs available, this research focuses on analyzing the behavior of Cas9 in chromatin that has been artificially opened by PFs. The types and frequency of INDELs (insertions & deletions) were determined after non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) in PF and Cas9-treated cells using quantitative Sanger sequencing and Synthego’s ICE software. Furthermore, NOME-seq analysis was carried out to map nucleosome position in PF and Cas9 treated cells. Although this experiment was unsuccessful, the heat map generated with data obtained from Synthego ICE predicts a possible presence of nucleosome in the vicinity suggesting that perhaps a fully open chromatin state was not achieved. Linear Regression analysis with certain assumptions confirms that with the increase in distance downstream of cut-site, the editing frequency decreases exponentially. Nevertheless, further experimental work should be carried out to investigate this hypothesis. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Biomedical Engineering 2019