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细菌和真核基因表达的调节中起着重要作用。人们对感知新生肽序列的分子机制和核糖体反应的机制知之甚少。此外，新生肽介导的基因表达调节的普遍性尚不清楚。该项目的主要目的是鉴定受核糖体停滞调节的新细菌基因，并更好地了解停滞机制。在该提案的第一个目标中，将鉴定普遍参与停滞反应的核糖体元件。然后，失速缺陷的突变体将用于全细胞蛋白质组学筛选，以筛选其表达受核糖体失速改变影响的基因。该研究的结果有望阐明蛋白质合成的基本方面之一。预期的发现也可能具有重要的实际意义，并且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场所。将学习与教学活动紧密结合起来。本科生、专业学生和研究生都将参与研究。我们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。研究结果将通过新闻稿、UIC播客和公开讲座向公众传播。

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.