Structure and dynamics of the Tetrahymena telomerase ribonucleoprotein

描述(申请人提供)：端粒酶核糖核蛋白(RNP)是维持端粒所必需的，端粒是保护真核细胞染色体末端免受异常加工和有害的端到端融合事件影响的特殊核蛋白结构。端粒酶通过一种特殊的催化机制来催化端粒DNA的延伸，这种催化机制需要端粒酶RNA、端粒酶逆转录酶(TERT)和几个额外的蛋白质亚基的强烈功能相互依赖。这一建议的主要目的是阐明端粒酶RNA和蛋白质亚单位中保守的结构域如何协调端粒酶RNP组装和催化的过程。为了解决与端粒酶结构分析相关的重大挑战，我们将使用多方面的实验策略，结合单分子生物物理技术与计算、生化和高分辨率结构方法，研究来自成熟的模式生物嗜热四膜虫的端粒酶复合体。在目标1中，我们将分别使用化学RNA探针和单分子Forster共振能量转移(SmFRET)来表征端粒酶RNA溶液的结构和动力学。这些实验中出现的距离约束将用于指导与尼古拉·乌里亚诺夫大学(UCSF)合作的RNA结构预测计算。在目标2中，我们将使用靶向羟基自由基探测、基于smFRET的结构测量和X射线结晶学来确定核心端粒酶RNP中保守的RNA和蛋白质结构域的三维组织。这项工作将与凯瑟琳·柯林斯(UCB)和哈里·诺勒(UCSC)合作进行。在目标3中，我们将开发一种新的单分子端粒酶结构-功能分析来批判性地评估现有的端粒DNA合成过程中端粒酶构象动力学的模型。在大多数细胞中，随着每一轮细胞分裂，端粒长度逐渐缩短，为细胞老化提供了分子信号，并调节进入永久性的细胞生长停滞。相反，具有高水平增殖能力的细胞(即干细胞)通过端粒酶的酶作用保持端粒长度。了解端粒酶的分子机制和调控具有直接的医学意义，因为端粒酶功能障碍会导致人类疾病，包括早衰综合征和大多数癌症。因此，端粒酶研究的目的是开发诊断和治疗端粒酶相关疾病的新方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) is required for maintaining telomeres, the specialized nucleoprotein structures that protect eukaryotic chromosome ends from aberrant processing and deleterious end-to-end fusion events. Telomerase catalyzes the processive extension of telomere DNA using a specialized catalytic mechanism that requires a strong functional interdependence of the telomerase RNA, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), and several additional protein subunits. The primary objective of this proposal is to elucidate how conserved structural domains within telomerase RNA and protein subunits coordinate the processes of telomerase RNP assembly and catalysis. To address the substantial challenges associated with structural analysis of telomerase we will study the telomerase complex from the well-established model organism Tetrahymena thermophila, using a multifaceted experimental strategy that combines single molecule biophysical techniques paired with computational, biochemical, and high-resolution structural approaches. In aim 1, we will use chemical RNA probing and single molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to characterize the telomerase RNA solution structure and dynamics, respectively. Distance constraints that emerge from these experiments will be used to guide RNA structure prediction calculations in collaboration with Nikolai Ulyanov (UCSF). In aim 2, we will determine the three dimensional organization of conserved RNA and protein domains within the core telomerase RNP using targeted-hydroxyl radical probing, smFRET-based structure measurements, and x-ray crystallography. This work will be conducted in collaboration with Kathleen Collins (UCB) and Harry Noller (UCSC). In aim 3, we will exploit a novel single molecule telomerase structure-function assay to critically evaluate existing models for telomerase conformational dynamics during processive telomere DNA synthesis. In most cells, a progressive shortening of telomere length with each round of cell division provides a molecular signal for cell aging and regulates entry into permanent cell growth arrest. In contrast, cells possessing a high level of proliferative capacity (i.e. stem cells) maintain telomere length through the enzymatic action of telomerase. Understanding the molecular mechanism and regulation of telomerase is of direct medical significance because telomerase dysfunction contributes to human disease, including premature aging syndromes and the majority of cancers. Thus, telomerase research is motivated by the goal of developing novel approaches for diagnosing and treating telomerase-associated diseases.