Date of Award
5-2009
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biological Science
Abstract
Transfer RNA(tRNA) is a small chain of nucleotides that participates in protein synthesis by pairing its anticodon with an mRNA codon and transferring an amino acid to a growing polypeptide chain. tRNA methyltransferases are a group of enzymes that can modify nucleosides in or around the anticodon, as well as at other parts of the tRNA. Recently, some of these modifications have been reported to enhance the translation of proteins that help the cell respond to and/or repair DNA damage. We hypothesize that the modifications catalyzed by some of the tRNA methyltransferases (Trms) stabilize the interaction between the mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon thus enhancing the translation of transcripts with specific codon usage patterns. This enhanced translation may increase the levels of certain proteins necessary for the cell to respond to stress. Furthermore, we predict that their activity will dictate cellular responses to environmental carcinogens and chemotherapeutics.
Recommended Citation
Daly, Margaret, "The Role of tRNA Modification Systems in the Cellular Stress Response" (2009). Biological Sciences. 3.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/honorscollege_biology/3