A ribonucleoprotein (RNP) catalyst capable of RNA aminoacylation will be assembled. This RNP will be based on a truncated form of alanyl-tRNA synthetase which synthesizes aminoacyl-AMP, but lacks an RNA recognition domain. Hence, in vitro selection methods will be employed to obtain a suitable RNA aptamer that will re-establish the ability of the catalyst to bind an RNA substrate. The aminoacylation efficiency for the resultant RNP will be investigated and the RNA-protein interfaces present within the complex will be characterized using biochemical techniques. It has been proposed that ribonucleoproteins were common catalysts during the period of evolution bridging RNA and protein- dominated worlds, and it is likely that the synthetases appeared very early in this transition because of their important role in protein synthesis. Thus, the assembly of an aminoacylating RNP would provide evidence for possible evolutionary precursors to the synthetases that contained RNA components.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM019896-02
Application #
6150782
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG3-BIO (01))
Program Officer
Tompkins, Laurie
Project Start
1999-01-11
Project End
Budget Start
2000-01-11
Budget End
2000-07-21
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$19,076
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037