The C-terminal domains of leucyl-tRNA synthetases

Frimel, Aaron Michael

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/95620 Copy

Description

Title

The C-terminal domains of leucyl-tRNA synthetases

Author(s)

Frimel, Aaron Michael

Issue Date

2016-12-08

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Martinis, Susan A.

Department of Study

Biochemistry

Discipline

Biochemistry

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Leucyl-tRNA synthetase
• Mitochondria
• C. elegans

Abstract

The mitochondrial Leucyl-tRNA synthetase (mtLeuRS) of certain Caenorhabditis species contains an idiosyncratic C-terminal addition. Bioinformatic analyses identified this domain in the mtLeuRS and also four putative nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) encoded within the domain (Ezak, Hong, Chaparro-Garcia, & Ferkey, 2010). This C-terminal extension of Caenrhabditis mitochondrial LeuRS, or CECL domain, is highly positively charged and shows no obvious homologs in protein databases. Bioinformatic and computational modeling suggest that CECL is an added domain rather than being a part of the canonical C-terminal domain. An annotated splice-variant of the mitochondrial LeuRS hints at a mechanism for subcellular localization. Deletion of CECL from the chromosome prevents homozygous worms from surviving fertilization in most cases. From these observations, we hypothesize that the mitochondrial LeuRS of C. elegans performs an alternate nuclear function, perhaps carried out specifically in the neurons of the animal.

Graduation Semester

2016-12

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/95620

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 Aaron Frimel

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