Misaminoacylation in Protein Biosynthesis

将对从谷氨酸到β-氨基乙酰丙酸的生物合成途径进行详细的研究，三角洲-氨基乙酰丙酸是植物中最早确定的叶绿素前体。随着最近发现一种特殊的叶绿体转移RNA参与这一过程，这个话题引起了人们的兴趣。利用分子生物学、蛋白质生物化学和酶学技术，克隆和鉴定参与这一过程的酶和tRNAs的基因，以详细研究这些分子的作用机制和调控。实验系统将是蓝藻聚胞藻6803，莱茵衣藻，或大麦。这些研究应该揭示关于RNA作为代谢转换辅助因子的作用的新原理，并将对未来植物分子生物学的计划非常重要。

A detailed investigation of the biosynthetic pathway leading from glutamate to delta-aminolevulinic acid, the earliest committed chlorophyll precursor in plants will be carried out. The topic is of current interest with the recent discovery of the involvement of a special chloroplast transfer RNA in this process. Using the techniques of molecular biology, protein biochemistry and enzymology, the genes for the enzymes and tRNAs involved in this process will be cloned and characterization in order to investigate in detail the mechanism of action and regulation of these molecules. The experimental systems will be the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, or barley. These studies should uncover novel principles regarding the role of RNA as a cofactor in metabolic conversions, and will be important to future programs in plant molecular biology.