Mobile group II introns are retroelements that are widely hypothesized to be related to both non-LTR retrotransposons and spliceosomal introns. The overall goal of this project is to combine genetic, biochemical and structural studies to characterize the Lactococcus lactis group II intron-encoded protein (LtrA) and the pathways involved in intron mobility, particularly retrotransposition. To accomplish this, there are two specific aims. First, detailed biochemical analyses on the structural domains of LtrA will be performed. The relationship of the maturase, endonuclease, and reverse transcriptase activities to domains will be explored to understand the modular composition and evolution of LtrA. Isolated domains will also prove useful for crystallography. Second, to better understand the mechanisms of intron retrotransposition, a selectable genetic assay for isolated retrotransposition events of the group II L. lactis intron LtrB will be used. Different plasmid recipients will be employed to explore the nucleic acid targets of intron transposition and the dependency on the processes of replication and/or transcription. I will therefore understand the basic principles of group II intron biology and their relationship, as appropriate, to non-LTR retrotransposons and spliceosomal introns. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM068370-02
Application #
6845235
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F08 (20))
Program Officer
Portnoy, Matthew
Project Start
2004-02-01
Project End
2006-01-31
Budget Start
2005-02-01
Budget End
2006-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$48,296
Indirect Cost
Name
Wadsworth Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
153695478
City
Menands
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
12204
Conlan, Lori H; Stanger, Matthew J; Ichiyanagi, Kenji et al. (2005) Localization, mobility and fidelity of retrotransposed Group II introns in rRNA genes. Nucleic Acids Res 33:5262-70