Ribonuclease P, or RNase P, is the endonuclease responsible for processing the 5' end of tRNA by cleaving a precursor and leading to tRNA maturation. RNase P has been identified in all organisms and cells that need to process tRNA. The phylogenetic and biochemical analysis of P RNA has now reached the point where structural information is needed to be able to understand the wealth of information available. The long range goal of this work is to understand the structure and function of the RNA component of RNase P, through crystallographic studies. This will advance, not only our understanding of RNase P, but will also lead to a much better understanding of other large RNA molecules and will help us understand better the way RNA molecules fold and add to the emerging structural database of RNA molecules. It promises to provide new and important structural information to help fill the void in our knowledge on the structure of these important molecules.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32GM063417-01
Application #
6340353
Study Section
Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Study Section (BBCA)
Program Officer
Cassatt, James
Project Start
2002-02-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-02-01
Budget End
2003-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$46,584
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Evanston
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60201
Krasilnikov, Andrey S; Mondragon, Alfonso (2003) On the occurrence of the T-loop RNA folding motif in large RNA molecules. RNA 9:640-3