Thesis Title: The PATL1 Ortholog HPat Regulates Synaptic Development and RNA Processing in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract: Loss-of-function variants in PATL1, a conserved RNA-binding protein associated with processing bodies, were identified in two consanguineous families whose affected members presented with intellectual disability, limited verbal ability, and impaired walking. Our work investigates the role of the Drosophila ortholog HPat in the developing nervous system. Neuronal HPat knockdown caused overgrowth of the larval neuromuscular junction and impaired locomotion. Despite synaptic overgrowth, vesicle uptake was preserved, whereas vesicle release was markedly reduced. Expression of human PATL1 rescued both the synaptic and behavioural phenotypes, supporting functional conservation between HPat and PATL1.

Transcriptome analysis further revealed that HPat regulates transcript abundance and alternative splicing through largely distinct sets of targets, while proximity labelling showed that its C-terminal domain strongly influences its proximal protein environment. Together, these findings identify HPat as a conserved regulator of neuronal function and RNA metabolism and suggest that disruption of these processes may contribute to PATL1-related neurodevelopmental phenotypes.

Date: October 09, 2026
Time: 14:00
Venue: KP315

The defense is open to faculty members, researchers, and students who may be interested in attending.

Please see the attached poster.

We wish Ilayda the very best for the defense.

Best regards,
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Boğaziçi University