Date of Award
12-21-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
School of Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Christopher S. Weitzel
Abstract
An ancient and ubiquitous set of enzymes known as the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are required for the viability of all organisms. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases catalyze the attachment of amino acids onto tRNA molecules. The aminoacylated, or charged, tRNA is then transported and utilized at the ribosome for the synthesis of proteins. The genome of the hyperthermophilic microorganism Sulfolobus islandicus (S. islandicus) harbors a unique leucyl-tRNA synthetase paralog, LeuRS-I, of unknown function. While its duplicate, LeuRS-F, carries out all the classical functions of LeuRS-family enzymes, LeuRS-I fails to charge leucine onto tRNALeu, despite its ability to activate this amino acid and bind this tRNA substrate. To begin to understand the molecular function of this unusual LeuRS within S. islandicus, new approaches of inquiry are needed. A variety of biotechnological methods were developed in an attempt to piece together the activity of this paralogous synthetase and understand the role it plays within S. islandicus.
Recommended Citation
Bretz, Nicholas Michael, "A Molecular Toolset for the in Vivo Detection of a Sulfolobus Islandicus Leucyl Trna Synthetase Paralog" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 1354.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/1354
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2021.20210719070603170967.93
Page Count
111
Included in
Biochemistry Commons, Cell Biology Commons, Genetics Commons
Comments
Imported from Bretz_ilstu_0092N_11845.pdf