Specific Interactions of the Ribosome with the Nascent Peptide

核糖体与新生肽的特异性相互作用在调节细菌和真核生物基因的表达中起着重要作用。对新生肽序列的分子机制和核糖体反应的机制了解甚少。此外，新生的多肽介导的基因表达调控的普遍性尚不清楚。该项目的主要目的是鉴定受核糖体延迟调控的新细菌基因，并更好地了解延迟机制。在提议的第一个目标，核糖体元件普遍参与拖延反应将被确定。缺乏延迟的突变体将用于全细胞蛋白质组学筛选，以寻找表达受核糖体延迟改变影响的基因。这项研究的结果有望阐明蛋白质合成的一个基本方面。预期的发现也可能具有重要的实际意义，并可以为生物技术和医学目的调节细菌和真核细胞中的基因表达开辟新的领域。研究将与教学活动紧密结合。本科生、专业学生和研究生将参与研究。将尽一切努力继续让代表性不足的少数群体参与实验研究。研究结果将会透过新闻稿、资讯科技中心的广播及公开讲座向公众公布。

The specific interaction of the ribosome with the nascent peptide plays an important role in the regulation of expression of bacterial and eukaryotic genes. The molecular mechanisms of sensing the sequence of the nascent peptides and the mechanics of the ribosome response are poorly understood. Furthermore, the generality of the nascent peptide-mediated regulation of gene expression is unknown. The main aim of the project is to identify new bacterial genes regulated by ribosome stalling and to better understand the stalling mechanisms. In the first aim of the proposal, ribosomal elements which are universally involved in the stalling response will be identified. The mutants deficient in stalling will be then used in a whole-cell proteomics screen for genes whose expression is affected by altered ribosome stalling.The results of the study are expected to illuminate one of the basic aspects of protein synthesis. The anticipated findings may also have important practical implications and can open new venues for regulating gene expression in bacterial and eukaryotic cells for biotechnological and medical purposes. The study will be closely integrated with teaching activities. Undergraduate, professional and graduate students will be involved in research. All efforts will be made to continue engaging underrepresented minorities in experimental research. The results of the study will be disseminated to the general public through press releases, UIC podcasts, and public lectures.