Studies of the Structure of RNA and its Binding Proteins

生物系统中遗传转移的完整性取决于氨基酸转移到特定转移RNA(TRNA)分子上的保真度，tRNA分子随后参与蛋白质合成。这种偶联是通过一大类被称为氨基酰tRNA合成酶的异源蛋白质来实现的。这20种不同的氨基酸都有自己的tRNA分子亚家族和自己的合成酶。尽管人们对tRNA的三维结构知道很多，关于tRNA分子如何以如此高的特异性与其相应的合成酶结合仍不确定。*本项目的目标是研究三维不同构象的RNA分子的结构，要么单独作用，要么与蛋白质络合。晶体的X射线衍射分析是使用的主要技术。里奇博士将对RNA的核苷酸序列在控制其三维构象方面发挥作用的方式进行研究。他还计划研究蛋白质和RNA分子之间相互作用的性质。

The integrity of genetic transfer in biological systems depends upon the fidelity with which amino acids are transferred onto specific transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules which are subsequently engaged in protein synthesis. This coupling is carried out by means of a large heterogenous class of proteins called aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. The twenty different amino acids each have their own subfamily of tRNA molecules and their own synthetases as well. Even though a great deal is known about the three-dimensional structure of tRNA, there is still uncertainly concerning the manner in which the tRNA molecules combine with such great specificity with their corresponding synthetases.*** The goal of this project is to study the three-dimensional structure of RNA molecules in various conformations, either alone or complexed to proteins. X-ray diffraction analysis of crystals is the major technique being used. Dr. Rich will undertake an examination of the manner in which the nucleotide sequence of RNA plays a role in governing its three-dimensional conformation. He also plans to investigate the nature of the interactions between proteins and RNA molecules.***