Project Details
Projekt
Characterization of the endo/exonuclease Tb08 as a core component of the RNA editing RNP in African trypanosomes
Applicant
Professor Dr. H. Ulrich Göringer
Subject Area
Cell Biology
Term
from 2001 to 2009
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5468076
The mitochondria of trypanosomatid protozoa poses a unique mechanism for the maturation of pre-mRNAs which is known as kinetoplastid (k)-RNA editing. In this process, uridylate residues are inserted into and deleted from otherwise non-translatable mRNAs. The reaction is catalyzed by a high molecular mass ribonucleoprotein complex that includes a site-specific endoribonuclease, an RNA ligase and a terminal urdiylnucleotidyl transferase among its essential acitivities. Neither of these activities has been identified on the protein level nor has the full protein composition of the complex been assessed. Also, factors that only transiently interact with the editing complex have not been characterized. The aim of this research proposal is to identify the function and molecular interactions of several uncharacterized polypeptides. Based on indirect experimental evidence they are considered candidates for either being integral components of the editing machinery or complex-associated factors. The analysis will be performed by a combination of genetic and biochemical methods.
DFG Programme
Research Units
