MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF DNA PROTECTION IN SPORES OF BACILLUS SPECIES

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 这项研究的目的是研究一组新的DNA结合蛋白，称为α/β型小分子酸溶蛋白(SASP)如何保护休眠芽胞中的DNA免受各种损害剂的伤害，以及这些蛋白是如何在孢子生长过程中被移除的。这些研究将包括对α/阿尔法型SASP的生化和生物物理性质的阐明，以及这些蛋白质与DNA的复合体的性质，以及在孢子生长过程中启动SASP降解的孢子蛋白酶GPR的特征。拟议研究的一个主要目标是对所有这些组分进行表征，包括用X射线结晶学阐明它们的三维结构。成功地实现这一目标将导致在分子水平上理解休眠孢子中DNA保护的机制，以及在孢子萌发和生长过程中导致DNA保护丧失的机制。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The objectives of the research proposed in this application are to investigate the mechanisms whereby a group of novel DNA-binding proteins, termed alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) protect DNA in dormant spores of Bacillus species against a variety of damaging agents, and how these proteins are subsequently removed during spore outgrowth. The studies will involve biochemical and biophysical elucidation of the properties of the alpha/alpha-type SASP and the complexes of these proteins with DNA, as well as the characterization of the spore protease, termed Gpr, that initiates SASP degradation during spore outgrowth. A major goal of the proposed research is the characterization of all of these components including elucidation of their three-dimensional structures by x-ray crystallography. Success in achieving this goal will lead to an understanding at the molecular level of the mechanisms of DNA protection in dormant spores, as well the mechanisms responsible for the loss of this DNA protection during spore germination and outgrowth.