Molecular architecture of FAM118B filaments

This proposal investigates FAM118B, a poorly characterised member of the sirtuin family implicated in essential cellular processes such as ribonucleoprotein production and innate immunity signaling. Our preliminary findings suggest FAM118B forms structurally dynamic filaments, potentially playing a structural role in the formation of subnuclear compartments known as Cajal bodies and/or directly in functions such as RNA maturation, spliceosome assembly, or innate immune signalling. Following promising preliminary cryoEM results, we aim to use high-resolution cryoEM to elucidate the molecular architecture of FAM118B filaments and their interfaces, providing insights into their structural and functional roles. By advancing our structural understanding of FAM118B, the research will shed new light on membraneless compartment assembly, RNA processing, and immunity-related pathways.