Molecular Basis for RNA Dynamic Function

The aim of this research project is to establish the molecular basis of RNA dynamic functions in the phenomena of life by systematizing the RNA dynamic functions through revealing the molecular mechanisms of catalytic functions of RNA and high-level control functions of information expression, and searching and artificially producing ribozymes catalyzing new reaetions. On the basis of the results obtained by these researches, molecular mechanisms of high-level phenomena of life such as development, differentiation and disease will be pursued and many unknown RNA functions will be elucidated. In parallel with these achievements new methods for analyzing RNA dynamic functions will be developed. For this purpose three research groups and one special team were organized under a master group. The first, 「RNA dynamic functions」 group succeeded in determination of a minimal functional region of group I intron possessing the splicing function, construction of dimeric hammerhead ribozyme (maxiz … More yme) providing both sequence recognition and RNA scission activities, and expression of the complex of the maxizyme with a helicase in cells. The second, 「RNA information fuctions」group obtained a highly appreciated result of discovery of tRNA molecular mimicry by translation factors」 which leads to elucidating the basic principle of the translation reaction. In research for RNA recognition mechanisms by proteins, NMR analysis of a complex of sxl protein with a single-stranded RNA and X-ray analysis of a complex of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNA succeeded in elucidating molecular recognition mechanisms of RNA by proteins. The third, 「RNA high-level functions」 succeeded in constructing a mitochondrial gene-introduced mouse useful for elucidating the cause of disease and mechanism of senescence. It was found that mitochondrial diseases are caused by lacking in the taurine-modification at the anticodon first position of mitochondrial tRNAs. The elucidation of functional structures of tmRNA was also successful. The research project has been progressing well and it is estimated that about 75% of the original aims have been achieved. During progress in the research project Japan RNA Society, a supporting system for supporting the RNA research in Japan was established on the basis of the project. Less

The aim of this research project is to establish the molecular basis of RNA dynamic functions in the phenomena of life by systematizing the RNA dynamic functions through revealing the molecular mechanisms of catalytic functions of RNA and high-level control functions of information expression, and searching and artificially producing ribozymes catalyzing new reaetions. On the basis of the results obtained by these researches, molecular mechanisms of high-level phenomena of life such as development, differentiation and disease will be pursued and many unknown RNA functions will be elucidated. In parallel with these achievements new methods for analyzing RNA dynamic functions will be developed. For this purpose three research groups and one special team were organized under a master group. The first, 「RNA dynamic functions」 group succeeded in determination of a minimal functional region of group I intron possessing the splicing function, construction of dimeric hammerhead ribozyme (maxiz … More yme) providing both sequence recognition and RNA scission activities, and expression of the complex of the maxizyme with a helicase in cells. The second, 「RNA information fuctions」group obtained a highly appreciated result of discovery of tRNA molecular mimicry by translation factors」 which leads to elucidating the basic principle of the translation reaction. In research for RNA recognition mechanisms by proteins, NMR analysis of a complex of sxl protein with a single-stranded RNA and X-ray analysis of a complex of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase with tRNA succeeded in elucidating molecular recognition mechanisms of RNA by proteins. The third, 「RNA high-level functions」 succeeded in constructing a mitochondrial gene-introduced mouse useful for elucidating the cause of disease and mechanism of senescence. It was found that mitochondrial diseases are caused by lacking in the taurine-modification at the anticodon first position of mitochondrial tRNAs. The elucidation of functional structures of tmRNA was also successful. The research project has been progressing well and it is estimated that about 75% of the original aims have been achieved. During progress in the research project Japan RNA Society, a supporting system for supporting the RNA research in Japan was established on the basis of the project. Less