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Department of
Biochemistry Ph.D. - University of Illinois Medical Center, 1970 Research: Transfer RNA is important in translation of the genetic message and in the regulation of gene expression. Each tRNA is synthesized as a precursor molecule which undergoes processing by nucleases and modification enzymes to produce the mature, functional product. This laboratory has been studying the role of certain of these base modification in determining the function of tRNA. Our approach is to prepare thionucleotide-deficient tRNA from a relA, Met Cys double auxotroph to be used as a substrate for the isolation of tRNA sulfurtransferases. This class of enzymes has been only partially characterized in the past, and none of them have been purified to homogeneity. Once purified, we plan to use these enzymes and undermodified tRNAs to determine the role of thionucleotides in tRNA function. A second interest of this laboratory is the cellular organization of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS). Recent work had demonstrated that high molecular weight aaRS complexes exist in both E. coli and yeast cells. We are now purifying these complexes to determine their composition and physiological significance. The finding of aaRS complexes in all classes of cells, from microorganisms to higher eukaryotes, indicates a fundamental role for this organization. Selected References:
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