BIOL 173 |
| Eukaryotic pre-mRNA splicing is a complex process that requires a balance of specificity and plasticity to properly identify and remove introns and splice exons together to form mature translationally competent mRNA transcripts. Several small ribonuclear particles (snRNPs – U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6) and numerous proteins are necessary to facilitate the structural rearrangements involved in this process. A critical rearrangement occurs when the interaction between the U4 and U6 snRNAs is disrupted to allow formation of the catalytically active U2/U6/pre-mRNA complex. This important modification requires recognition of the U4 snRNA by the small highly conserved RNA binding protein Snu13p. Recent studies have shown that upon binding, a sharp kink (K-turn) is formed in the 5' stem loop of U4 snRNA (U4SL). Our results focus on current studies of the free form of the U4SL and Snu13p using solution NMR to elucidate the mechanism of recognition in this vital protein/RNA interaction. |
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Frontiers in Chemical Biology
5:00 PM-7:00 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Division of Biological Chemistry |