CAREER: Structural Basis of RNA Recognition

University Of Georgia Research Foundation Inc, Athens GA

Investigators

Abstract

Legault MCB 9984582 The goal of this project is to study substrate recognition by the Neurospora VS ribozyme using state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods in order to gain a better understanding of the structural basis of RNA recognition. Substrate recognition by the Neurospora ribozyme depends on an essential loop-loop tertiary interaction between stem-loop I from the substrate domain and stem-loop V from the catalytic domain. The work will focus on determining the high-resolution NMR structures of fragments of stem-loops I and V, the effects of divalent metal ions binding on their conformation, and on determining the NMR structure of a stable complex formed by these two stem-loops. This research will improve our fundamental understanding of RNA structure and dynamics and of the role of metal ions in RNA structure and catalysis. Undergraduate and graduate training programs in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and nucleic acid structure and function will be developed. Through teleconferencing technologies and web-based instructional material, the teaching activities will serve the instructional needs of the scientific community.