Structure of RNA and its Binding Proteins

小行星9305271 这项资助的重点是增加我们对RNA的理解。 在这项工作中使用的主要方法是X射线衍射研究的RNA组分的单晶，以及RNA结合蛋白。 X射线衍射研究允许确定分子的三维结构。 这项工作的主要实验挑战是获得具有适当规则度的晶体，以便进行分析以揭示分子结构的细节。 % RNA在生物系统中起着非常重要的作用。 它不仅从DNA中传递信息，从而指导蛋白质的合成，而且还形成了许多构成细胞机器一部分的结构元件。 这项研究的目标是结晶RNA片段，包含各种结构基序。 这些元件决定了RNA自身折叠或形成许多不同构象的方式。 RNA最近被证明具有酶活性。 这些“核酶”的结构也将被研究。一般来说，理解RNA的三维结构可能会提高对分子在其生物学背景下如何发挥作用的认识。 了解与RNA结合的蛋白质的结构以及它们特异性相互作用的方式也增强了我们对其作用的理解。 ***

9305271 Rich This grant is focussed on increasing our understanding of RNA. The major approach used in this work is x-ray diffraction studies of single crystals of RNA components, as well as RNA binding proteins. X-ray diffraction studies allows one to determine the three-dimensional structure of the molecule. The major experimental challenge in this work is to obtain crystals that have suitable degrees of regularity, so that the analysis can be carried out to uncover fine details of molecular structure. %%% RNA plays a very important role in biological systems. Not only does it act to convey information from DNA that results in directing the synthesis of proteins, but it also forms a number of structural elements that form part of the machinery of the cell. The goal of this research is to crystallize segments of RNA that contain various structural motifs. These elements determine the way that RNA folds upon itself or forms in a number of different conformations. RNA has recently been shown to have enzymatic activity. The structure of these "ribozymes" will also be studied. In general, understanding the three-dimensional structure of the RNA may lead to an enhanced awareness of how the molecule functions in its biological context. Knowing the structure of proteins that bind to RNA and the manner in which they specifically interact also enhances our understanding of its role. ***