VIRAL, NUCLEAR RNA

RNA-蛋白质相互作用在许多病毒的生命周期中起着关键作用。例如，包括转录、翻译、定位和稳定性在内的广泛的活性可以通过这样的相互作用介导。一些RNA-蛋白质复合物的基本功能使它们成为抗病毒药物和抑制剂的有吸引力的靶点。因此，与这些相互作用的结构和功能关系的详细表征是设计潜在的病毒抑制剂的重要步骤。已经鉴定了一类新的病毒RNA，其大量表达，但非编码且位于核内。虽然这些RNA的功能可能因病毒而异，但对这类RNA的转录或其在病毒生命周期中的作用知之甚少。其中一种称为not1的RNA是从卡波西肉瘤相关疱疹病毒（KSHV/HHV 8）中克隆的，并且是表达最丰富的裂解性转录nut1形式核糖核蛋白（RNP）复合物，但相互作用蛋白的鉴定和这些复合物的功能尚不清楚。nut1将用于两个专门设计用于识别结合RNA的蛋白质的遗传系统。哺乳动物Tat-杂交系统和酵母3-杂交系统。鉴定与nut1相互作用的蛋白质将是了解其功能的第一步。新型nut 1-蛋白质相互作用将使用生化、生物物理和遗传测试进行详细表征。这种分析应该有助于我们更好地定义核RNA的功能，并可能有助于KSHV抑制剂的设计。

DESCRIPTION RNA-protein interactions play a critical role in the life cycle of many viruses. For example, a wide range of activities including transcription, translation, localization, and stability can be mediated through such interactions. The essential function of some RNA-protein complexes make them attractive targets for anti-viral drugs and inhibitors. Thus, a detailed characterization of the structural and functional relationship involved with these interactions is an essential step towards the design of potential virus inhibitors. A novel class of viral RNAs has been identified that is abundantly expressed, yet non-coding and nuclear localized. Although the functions of these RNAs may vary from virus to virus, little is known about this class or transcription or their role in the viral life cycle. One such RNA called not1 was cloned from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV8) and is the most abundantly expressed lytic transcription nut1 forms ribonuclear protein (RNP) complexes, but the identify of the interaction proteins and the function of these complexes is not known. nut1 will be used in two genetic systems that have been designed specifically to identify proteins that bind RNA. The mammalian Tat-hybrid system and the yeast 3- hybrid system. Identification of the proteins that interact with nut1 will be the first step towards understanding its function. Novel nut1- protein interactions will be characterized in detail using biochemical, biophysical, and genetic tests. This analysis should help us better define the functions of nuclear RNAs and may aid in the design of KSHV inhibitors.