Research Symposium

BIO

Hello, I'm Alexandra Hatzidakis and I'm from Ft. Lauderdale. I'm currently a sophomore studying biology on a pre-dental track. My project focuses on LARP1, a lupus antigen related protein involved in mRNA regulation. Specifically we've been looking at the interactions between the intrisincally unstructured region (IUR) and the MLLE domain. Through studying these interactions we aim to gain new insights into LARP1's role in regulating the translation of mRNA.

Investigating the Interaction Between the Intrinsically Unstructured Region (IUR) and MLLE Domain of LARP1 Using Biophysical Approaches.

Abstract

LARP1 (La-related protein 1) is an RNA-binding protein involved in translational regulation, particularly in the 5′TOP mRNA pathway. The intrinsically unstructured region (IUR) of LARP1 is thought to play a crucial role in modulating interactions with RNA and other proteins, including the MLLE domain. However, the molecular details of this interaction remain unclear. In this study, we purified recombinant IUR and MLLE domains of LARP1 using affinity and size-exclusion chromatography to ensure high purity and homogeneity. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSA) were performed to assess the RNA binding of these domains, revealing key differences in their affinities. Additionally, NMR was used to quantify the binding interactions between IUR, MLLE, and RNA. Our results suggest that the IUR influences RNA binding in a manner dependent on its interaction with MLLE, providing new insights into the dynamic regulatory role of LARP1.

Keywords: LARPs, RNA, NMR