ACTIVE SITES OF GLYCYL-TRNA SYNTHETASE--EXTRACELLULAR SEA URCHIN EMBRYO PROTEINS

学生将在两个广泛的研究领域工作。在第一个项目中， 甘氨酰-tRNA合成酶的结构和功能 为了提供有关基本分子的信息而进行的研究 蛋白质合成的机制。这项工作将特别集中 论不同亚基在认知和识别中的作用 TRNA和ATP的激活。将使用亲和标记试剂 探索该酶的识别位点和分离到的修饰多肽 在酶的活性部位定位必需的氨基酸残基。 随后的研究将针对一种密切相关的酶， 苯丙氨酰-tRNA合成酶。计算机分析将比较氨基酸 与其他氨酰-tRNA合成酶的序列相同，以 更好地理解这些酶作为一个整体是如何完成它们的基本功能的 在活体中的作用。 在第二个项目中，形成细胞外基质的蛋白质 受精后的海胆胚胎将被研究。通过 透明层蛋白质组分的提纯和 受精包络，希望能为大家提供一个了解 胚胎中细胞组织的分子机制和方式 在此过程中完成了对多精受精的阻断。一位少校 这项工作的目标是提供有关氨基酸的信息 学生在实验室中已经分离出的三种蛋白质的序列。 这项工作的目的是将蛋白质的氨基酸序列与DNA相关联 透明蛋白相关蛋白的序列目前在其他 实验室。总而言之，这些数据可以帮助理解这三个因素是如何 蛋白质之间相互关联，并与其他钙结合和 细胞外基质蛋白以及这些蛋白的调控方式 以及它们如何发挥其基本的生物学作用。这个 该项目的主要目标是提供一个科学的环境， 让这些学生有机会作为年轻的科学家和 支持和鼓励学术参与的氛围，以及 成就。我们实验室的学生已经建立了强大的 成就记录。在完成学业的59名学生中 自1980年以来的项目中，44%进入了研究生或专业课程。

Students will work in two broad research areas. In the first project, structure and functions of the enzyme glycyl-tRNA synthetase will be investigated in order to provide information concerning basic molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis. This work will concentrate particularly on the role placed by dissimilar subunits in the recognition and activation of tRNA and ATP. Affinity labeling reagents will be employed to probe the enzyme's recognition sites and modified peptides isolated to locate essential amino acid residues in the active site of the enzyme. Subsequent studies will be directed at a closely related enzyme, phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. Computer analysis will compare amino acid sequences so identified with those of other aminoacyl -tRNA synthetases to better understand how these enzymes as a group accomplish their essential role in vivo. In the second project, the proteins forming the extracellular matrix of sea urchin embryos following fertilization will be investigated. By purifying the protein components of the hyaline layer and the fertilization envelope, we hope to provide an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cellular organization in the embryo and the manner in which the block to polyspermic fertilization is accomplished. A major goal of this work is to provide information regarding the amino acid sequence of three proteins already isolated by students in the laboratory. This work aims to correlate amino acid sequences of the proteins with DNA sequences of hyalin-associated proteins presently being completed in other laboratories. Together, these data can serve to understand how the three proteins are related to one another and to other calcium-binding and extracellular matrix protein as well as how these proteins are regulated developmentally and how they perform their essential biological role. The primary goal of this project is to provide a scientific environment which gives these students the opportunity to succeed as young scientists and an atmosphere which supports and encourages academic involvement and achievement. Students form our laboratory have established a strong record of accomplishment. Of the fifty-nine students who have completed projects since 1980, 44% have entered graduate or professional programs.