Cameron Schmitz (PhD Student)

schmitz [at] wi.mit.edu

Publications

How cells tune the translation of individual mRNAs—which messages are read, when, and where in the cell is a crucial feature of gene regulation. Translational control is achieved through many diverse mechanisms like temporal and spatial restrictions. Yet, the full compendium of mechanisms is not well characterized. I study this problem using spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT1), the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine catabolism, as a model. SAT1 is strongly translationally repressed (500-1000-fold), through a long elusive mechanism. I currently utilize inducible expression systems, quantitative microscopy, RNA sequencing, and genetic screens to identify the machinery responsible, alongside quantitative fluorescence microscopy and mass spectrometry to resolve where and when translational control of SAT1 happens in cells as a model for broader translational repression.