CONTROL OF GENETIC INFORMATION THROUGH
ANALYSIS OF mRNA BINDING PROPERTIES OF A
DEADENYLASE
KYRIAKOS KOKKORIS
Over the last years, scientific research has been focused on DNA analysis. DNA
carries the genetic information in all the cells. The messenger RNA (mRNA) mediates
the transfer of this genetic information and also serves as a template for the final encoded
product known as protein. Proteins are fundamental and essential components of all
living cells. Proteins include many valuable substances such as enzymes, hormones and
antibodies, thus providing proper function of organisms. There is a group of proteins that
bind, control and degrade the mRNA.
Ribonucleases are essential enzymes that play fundamental roles in regulation and
degradation of mRNA. In my project, I have focused on the understanding of the
mechanisms behind the properties of a specific ribonuclease, called PARN. The RNA
binding properties of PARN were analyzed by different sets of experiments. My studies
have shown that PARN binds 20 nucleotides long poly(A) most efficiently compared
with other RNA substrates. PARN also had high specificity and affinity for adenosines
(A). In these experiments, it was also shown that a specific domain of PARN harbours its
high specificity and affinity for poly(A) substrates.
As a conclusion the control of mRNA could open new windows for biological,
pharmaceutical, chemical, genomic and other fields of science.
binding
5’
mGpppG----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PARN
degradation
mRNA
3′
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.-------------------------- -----
Degree project in biology, 2006
Examensarbete i biologi 20p, 2006
Biology Education Center and Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Uppsala University
Supervisors: Anders Virtanen, Niklas Henriksson, Per Nilsson