The Activity of LSM-11, ZFP100, and SLBP_x000D_ Pre-mRNA Processing of Human Histone Protein and its Application to Cancer Treatment Development._x000D_ " (2006)
Undergraduate: Alexander Berkow
Faculty Advisor: William Marzluff
Department: Biology
The human genome is made up of over 3 million base pairs, and within these bases are some 30,000 sequences called genes. These genes are copied into RNA by cellular machinery and then the RNA is used as a template to create proteins, the primary building block of the human body. Multiple modifications must be made to RNA in order to be able to create a protein from it, and this process is known as pre-mRNA processing. One vital protein in DNA production and packaging is called a histone, and the pre-mRNA processing of this protein is heavily regulated by the stem loop binding protein (SLBP). It is known that many proteins aid SLBP in the action of pre-mRNA processing. This project is designed to determine how these other proteins help SLBP regulate the production of histones. The proteins being investigated are Lsm11, ZFP100, and SLBP, itself. It is believed that these proteins bind in a complex on the histone pre-mRNA and contribute to pre-mRNA processing. In order to determine their specific contributions to the 3' splicing of histone mRNA, fusions of each protein and MS2 coat protein will be created. The MS2 coat protein will bind to specific sites on either side of the histone mRNA stem-loop structure and the fused protein will be given ready access to the sequence that is theorized to be spliced. The resulting length of the mRNA as seen on the urea gel will reveal the splicing activity of each individual protein.