Conference on Structure and Function of Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases, October 10-15, 1998 near Strasbourg, France

9804921 Musier-Forsyth该奖项是对氨酰-tRNA合成酶的结构和功能会议的部分支持。 氨酰-tRNA合成酶是蛋白质生物合成的关键酶。它们通过其同源tRNA的氨酰化将氨基酸与特定的三核苷酸相关联，从而充当遗传密码的解释者。这些酶被分为两个完全不同的家庭的基础上，其催化核心的建筑组织，因此是特殊的模型蛋白质结构/功能关系的演变。合成酶领域是一个发展迅速的研究领域。 研究人员正在使用不同的，多学科的方法来理解从各种角度，包括基础酶学，RNA-蛋白质相互作用，甚至进化生物学的结构-功能关系。在短时间内，所有20种合成酶的高分辨率晶体结构都是可用的。拟议的会议将提供一个平衡的科学计划，将强调传统的主题，如合成酶结构多样性，机制，编辑，tRNA识别，翻译中的tRNA和合成酶，以及该领域的新方向，如合成酶进化，药物设计，替代功能和人工氨酰化系统。 核酸是生物分子，编码生物体运作和生存所需的所有信息。核糖核酸（RNA）在化学上与脱氧核糖核酸（DNA）非常相似，脱氧核糖核酸是遗传密码的储存分子。在活细胞中，RNA几乎总是与蛋白质复合。遗传密码的非生物学解释需要通过一类称为氨酰-tRNA合成酶的蛋白质特异性识别60多个细胞转移RNA（tRNA）分子中的每一个。 与我们对DNA-蛋白质相互作用的了解相比，我们对RNA-蛋白质相互作用的了解仍然相当有限。由于tRNA和氨酰-tRNA合成酶之间的高度特异性，这些分子是研究蛋白质-RNA识别原理的极好靶标。拟议会议的组织将允许年轻科学家，包括学生和博士后的高水平参与。这种会议形式还将为年轻科学家和该领域更高级的领导人之间的非正式交流提供一个理想的框架，并确保年轻科学家获得尽可能有益的经验。

9804921 Musier-Forsyth This award is for partial support for a Conference on Structure and Function of Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are key enzymes in protein biosynthesis. They act as interpreters of the genetic code by relating amino acids to specific trinucleotides through the aminoacylation of their cognate tRNAs. These enzymes are divided into two entirely distinct families on the basis of the architectural organization of their catalytic cores and thus are exceptional models for the evolution of protein structure/function relationships. The synthetase field is a rapidly progressing research area. Researchers are using diverse, multidisciplinary approaches to understand structure-function relationships from a variety of perspectives, including fundamental enzymology, RNA-protein interactions, and even evolutionary biology. In a short period of time high resolution crystal structures should be available for all 20 synthetases. The proposed conference will offer a well-balanced scientific program, which will emphasize traditional topics such as synthetase structural diversity, mechanisms, editing, tRNA recognition, and tRNAs and synthetases in translation, as well as newer directions in the field such as synthetase evolution, drug design, alternate functions, and artificial aminoacylation systems. Nucleic acids are biological molecules that encode all of the information necessary for living organisms to function and survive. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is chemically very similar to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the storage molecule for the genetic code. In living cells, RNA is almost always found complexed with proteins. Unambiguous interpretation of the genetic code requires specific recognition of each of the more than 60 cellular transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules by a class of proteins known as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. In comparison to our knowledge of DNA-protein interactions, our understanding of RNA-protein interactions is s till quite limited. Due to the high degree of specificity between tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, these molecules are excellent targets for studying the principles of protein-RNA recognition. The proposed meeting will be organized to allow a high level of participation of younger scientists, including students and postdoctorals. The meeting format will also provide an ideal framework for informal exchanges between younger scientists and more senior leaders in the field, and ensure that young scientists have the most rewarding experience possible.