Characterisation of RNA Binding Properties and Functions of High Mobility Group A1 Proteins in Pluripotent Stem Cells

The high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) proteins are abundant in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), during development and in cancer cells. They have been previously characterised as DNA-binding proteins. However, they also interact with RNA. This thesis investigates RNA binding properties and functions of HMGA1 in mouse PSCs. This work uncovers novel HMGA1a RNA targets and mechanistic insights into HMGA1a-RNA interactions. Functionally, HMGA1 displays a critical role in regulating energy production and promoting specific cells during brain cell development. These findings provide new knowledge of how HMGA1 may fine-tune distinct genes and the cellular functions it affects in different cellular contexts.