A07: STAR family function and interaction with RBM20 for intervening alternative splicing

In this project, we aim to in detail characterise the novel cardiac splice factor SLM2. This includes the fine mapping of the splice targets in the human heart, the deciphering of co-factors and regulator elements and the in-vitro and in-vivo functional characterisation e.g. in conditional knock-out mice. Since we propose an partially antagonistic role of SLM2 and RBM20, we will study combined transgenic iPSC and mouse models. Together, the obtained results will provide mechanistic insights into the novel cardiac splice regulator SLM2 and proof-of-concept of therapeutic manipulations.