<p>The stringent response plays a significant role in the survival of bacteria during different environmental conditions. It is activated by the binding of stringent factor (SF) to stalled ribosomes that have an unacylated tRNA in the ribosomal A-site which leads to the synthesis of (p)ppGpp. ppGpp binds to the RNA polymerase, resulting in a rapid down-regulation of rRNA and tRNA transcription and up-regulation of mRNAs coding for enzymes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. The importance of the A-site and unacylated tRNA in the activation of SF was confirmed by chemical modification and subsequent primer extension experiments (footprinting experiments) which showed that binding of SF to ribosomes resulted in the protection of regions in 23S rRNA, the A-loop and helix 89 that are involved in the binding of the A-site tRNA. An in vitro assay showed that the ribosomal protein L11 and its flexible N-terminal part was important in the activation of SF. Interestingly the N-terminal part of L11 was shown to activate SF on its own and this activation was dependent on both ribosomes and an unacylated tRNA in the A-site. The N-terminal part of L11 was suggested to mediate an interaction between ribosome-bound SF and the unacylated tRNA in the A-site or interact with SF and the unacylated tRNA independently of each other. Footprinting experiments showed that SF bound to the ribosome protected bases in the L11 binding domain of the ribosome that were not involved in an interaction with ribosomal protein L11. The sarcin/ricin loop, in close contact with the L11 binding domain on the ribosome and essential for the binding and activation of translation elongation factors was also found to be protected by the binding of SF. Altogether the presented results suggest that SF binds to the factor-binding stalk of the ribosome and that activation of SF is dependent on the flexible N-terminal domain of L11 and an interaction of SF with the unacylated tRNA in the A-site of the 50S subunit.</p>

This thesis concerns different areas of biomolecular nuclearmagnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). In the first part of thethesis a new formalism for simulations of NMR pulse sequencesis introduced. The formalism is derived both from classicalmechanics and quantum mechanics and is presented forhomonuclear and heteronuclear spin systems. The formalism hasalso been adapted to systems in chemical exchange. Simulationsof pulse sequences should be more straightforward using the newformalism. In the second part of the thesis the NMR solution structuresof two ribosomal proteins are described. The ribosome isresponsible for protein production in all living cells and tounderstand the mechanism of the ribosome it is important toknow the three dimensional structure. In this thesis thestructures of S16 and S19, two of the proteins in the smallribosomal subunit, are presented. S16 is a mixed α /βprotein with a five-stranded parallel-antiparallel β-sheetand two α -helices. S19 is s mixed α/β proteinwith a three-stranded parallel-antiparallel β -sheet, oneα -helix and a short 310-helix. In the third part of the thesis a program for semiautomaticassignment of NMR-spectra is presented. Assigning resonances inthe NMR spectrum is a labor-intensive process, which can takelong time. In semiautomatic assignment a computer program aidsthe user in finding assignments but leaves all decisions to theuser, thus speeding up the process. The program described inthis thesis is a new version of ANSIG, called Ansig forWindows. The program runs on PCs under Windows and has severaltools for semiautomatic assignment. <b>Keywords:</b>nuclear magnetic resonance, structuredetermination, ribosomal proteins, NMR simulations, NMR theory,NMR assignment software, semiautomatic assignment

The stringent response plays a significant role in the survival of bacteria during different environmental conditions. It is activated by the binding of stringent factor (SF) to stalled ribosomes that have an unacylated tRNA in the ribosomal A-site which leads to the synthesis of (p)ppGpp. ppGpp binds to the RNA polymerase, resulting in a rapid down-regulation of rRNA and tRNA transcription and up-regulation of mRNAs coding for enzymes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. The importance of the A-site and unacylated tRNA in the activation of SF was confirmed by chemical modification and subsequent primer extension experiments (footprinting experiments) which showed that binding of SF to ribosomes resulted in the protection of regions in 23S rRNA, the A-loop and helix 89 that are involved in the binding of the A-site tRNA. An in vitro assay showed that the ribosomal protein L11 and its flexible N-terminal part was important in the activation of SF. Interestingly the N-terminal part of L11 was shown to activate SF on its own and this activation was dependent on both ribosomes and an unacylated tRNA in the A-site. The N-terminal part of L11 was suggested to mediate an interaction between ribosome-bound SF and the unacylated tRNA in the A-site or interact with SF and the unacylated tRNA independently of each other. Footprinting experiments showed that SF bound to the ribosome protected bases in the L11 binding domain of the ribosome that were not involved in an interaction with ribosomal protein L11. The sarcin/ricin loop, in close contact with the L11 binding domain on the ribosome and essential for the binding and activation of translation elongation factors was also found to be protected by the binding of SF. Altogether the presented results suggest that SF binds to the factor-binding stalk of the ribosome and that activation of SF is dependent on the flexible N-terminal domain of L11 and an interaction of SF with the unacylated tRNA in the A-site of the 50S subunit.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a severe congenital anemia characterized by a defect in red blood cell production. The disease is associated with growth retardation, malformations, a predisposition for malignant disease and heterozygous mutations in either of the ribosomal protein (RP) genes RPS7, RPS17, RPS19, RPS24, RPL5, RPL11 and RPL35a. In a cellular model for DBA, siRNA knock-down of RPS19 results in a relative decrease of other ribosomal (r) proteins belonging to the small subunit (RPS20, RPS21, RPS24) when compared to r-proteins from the large ribosomal subunit (RPL3, RPL9, RPL30, RPL38). RPS19 mutant cells from DBA patients show a similar and coordinated down-regulation of small subunit proteins. The mRNA levels of the small subunit r-proteins remain relatively unchanged. We also show that RPS19 has an extensive number of transcriptional start sites resulting in mRNAs of variable 5’UTR length. The short variants are translated more efficiently. Structural sequence variations in the 5’UTR of RPS19 found in DBA patients show a 20%-30% reduced translational activity when compared to normal transcripts. Primary fibroblast from DBA patients with truncating mutations in RPS19 or RPS24 showed specific cell cycle defects. RPS19 mutant fibroblasts accumulate in the G1 phase whereas the RPS24 mutant cells show a defect in G2/M phase. The G1 phase arrest is associated with a reduced level of phosphorylated retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, cyclin E and cdk2 whereas the G2/M phase defect is associated with increased levels of p21, cyclin E, cdk4 and cdk6. RPS19 interacts with PIM-1 kinase. We investigated the effects of targeted disruptions of both Rps19 and Pim-1 in mice. Double mutant (Rps19+/-, Pim-1-/-) mice have increased peripheral white- and red blood cell counts when compared to the wild-type mice (Rps19+/+, Pim-1+/+). Bone marrow cells in Rps19+/-, Pim-1-/- mice showed up-regulated levels of c-Myc and the anti-apoptotic factors Bcl2, Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 and reduced levels of the apoptotic factors Bak and Caspase 3 as well as the cell cycle regulator p21. In summary, this thesis clarifies several mechanisms in the pathogenesis of DBA. Mutations in RPS19 results in coordinated down-regulation of several small subunit r-proteins causing haploinsufficiency for the small ribosomal subunit. RPS19 have multiple transcriptional start sites and mutations in the RPS19 5’UTR found in DBA patients result in reduced translational activity. At the cellular level, mutations in RPS19 and RPS24 cause distinct cell cycle defects and reduced cell proliferation. Finally, PIM-1 kinase and RPS19 cooperates in the proliferation of myeloid cells.

The assembly of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) into ribosomal subunits (30S and 50S) is a complex process. Transcription of rRNA requires antitermination proteins and the primary transcripts are processed by ribonucleases. R-proteins and rRNAs are chemically modified, the r-proteins bind to the rRNAs and the formed RNA-protein complexes are folded into mature ribosomal subunits. All these processes are well-coordinated and overlapping. Non-ribosomal factors are required for proper assembly and maturation of the ribosomal subunits. Two of these factors are the RimM and RbfA proteins, which bind to 30S subunits and are important for efficient processing of 16S rRNA. Lack of either RimM or RbfA results in a reduced amount of polysomes and a lower growth rate. An increased amount of RbfA can partially compensate for deficiencies shown by a RimM lacking mutant. Here, mutations that alter phylogenetically conserved amino acids in RimM have been constructed. One of these (rimM120), which resulted in the replacement of two adjacent tyrosines by alanines, reduced the growth rate three-fold and also decreased the processing efficiency of 16S rRNA. The RimM120 mutant protein showed a much reduced binding to the 30S subunits. Suppression of the rimM120 mutant was achieved by increased amount of the RimM120 protein, by overexpression of rbfA, or by mutations that changed r-protein S19 or 16S rRNA. A variant of r-protein S13, which was previously isolated as a suppressor to a deletion of rimM (∆rimM), suppressed also the rimM120 mutation. The wild-type RimM protein, but not the RimM120 protein, was shown to bind r-protein S19 in the 30S subunits. The changes in S13, S19 and 16S rRNA that compensated for the deficiencies shown by the rimM mutants are all located within a small region of the head of the 30S subunit, suggesting that this region is the likely target for the RimM action. To isolate RbfA variants that show reduced association with the 30S subunits, phylogenetically conserved, surface exposed amino acid residues of RbfA were changed to alanines or, in some instances, to amino acids of the opposite charge to that in the wild-type protein. Alterations of F5, R31, D46 and D100 had the largest effect on growth. Mutations in the metY-nusA-infB operon, isolated as suppressors to the ∆rimM mutant, were shown to increase the amounts of RbfA. In a ∆rimM mutant, all RbfA protein was found associated with the 30S subunits and no free RbfA was detected. The RlmB protein was shown to be the methyltransferase responsible for the formation of Gm2251 in 23S rRNA in Escherichia coli. Unlike a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant that lacks the orthologue to RlmB, Pet56p, which methylates mitochondrial rRNA, a ∆rlmB mutant did not show any defects in ribosomal assembly.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the telomeres and rDNA repeats are repetitive silent chromatin domains that are tightly regulated to maintain silencing and genome stability. Disruption of the Cohibin complex, which maintains rDNA silencing and stability, also abrogates telomere localization and silencing. Cohibin-deficient cells have decreased Sir2 localization at telomeres, and restoring telomeric Sir2 concentrations rescues the telomeric defects observed in Cohibin-deficient cells. Genetic and molecular interactions suggest that Cohibin clusters telomeres to the nuclear envelope by binding inner nuclear membrane proteins. Futhermore, telomeric and rDNA sequences can form G-quadruplex structures. G-quadruplexes are non-canonical DNA structures that have been linked to processes affecting chromosome stability. Disruption of the G-quadruplex stabilizing protein Stm1, which also interacts with Cohibin, increases rDNA stability without affecting silent chromatin formation. In all, our findings have led to the discovery of new processes involved in the maintenance of repetitive silent chromatin domains that may be conserved across eukaryotes.

Canine babesiosis is an important worldwide disease caused by protozoan hemoparasites of the genus Babesia, which are primarily transmitted to a dog by the bite of an Ixodid tick, although vertical transmission has recently been reported. The disease is typically characterized by hemolytic anemia, fever, splenomegaly, and thrombocytopenia, with clinical signs ranging from clinically normal to acute anemia. Death may even result in some severe cases. Two species of Babesia, Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis, have long been known to cause babesiosis in dogs. To date, almost all B. gibsoni infections in the United States have been reported in American Pit Bull Terriers or in dogs associated with the breed through either transfusion or fighting. Dog blood samples received from kennels, shelters, and veterinary clinics throughout Texas were tested for the presence of B. gibsoni and B. canis. A total of 254 samples were tested for B. gibsoni and B. canis by light microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Babesia gibsoni was detected in four of the dogs tested and B. canis was detected in one of the dogs tested. The average packed cell volumes (PCVs) of infected dogs were compared with those of uninfected dogs, with the infected, on average, having lower PCVs. Molecular characterization of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and the ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer regions was performed on all sequences obtained in this study, and results were consistent with those previously reported for B. gibsoni and B. canis. Also, positive samples and additional samples provided by North Carolinia State University were used to initiate in vitro cultures of the parasites. To date, one isolate of a large unknown Babesia sp. from a North Carolina dog was successfully established in vitro. The establishment of Babesia spp. parasites in culture may aid in the development of a vaccine for babesiosis and will also be beneficial in improving diagnostic tests for the parasite.

Chromatin structure is a fundamental determinant of eukaryotic gene expression and it is composed of two chromatin environments, euchromatin and heterochromatin. Euchromatin provides an accessible platform for transcription factors; hence it is permissive for gene expression. Heterochromatin on the other hand is highly compacted and inaccessible, which in most cases leads to transcriptional repression. A locus that is composed of both of these environments is the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). In eukaryotes the rDNA is composed of hundreds to thousands of tandemly repeated genes where maintaining both silent and active copies is fundamental for the stability of the genome. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of the rDNA in gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster. In D. melanogaster the rDNA loci are present on the X and Y chromosomes. This research used the Y-linked rDNA array to investigate the role of this locus on gene expression. A genetic and molecular strategy was designed to create and quantify specific, graded and isogenic Y- linked rDNA deletions. Then the deletions were used to address the effect of rDNA deletions on gene expression using reporter genes sensitive to Position Effect Variegation (PEV). In addition, the effect of the deletions in nucleolus size and structure as well as the effect of spontaneous rDNA deletions on gene expression were tested in this study. This research found that changes in rDNA size change the chromatin balance, which resulted in increased expression of the reporter genes, decreased nucleolus volume, and altered nucleolus structure. These findings prompted a further research question on whether this effect on gene expression occured globally in the genome. This was addressed by performing microarray analysis where the results showed that rDNA deletions affect about half of the genes on the genome. Presented in this dissertation is evidence that suggest a novel role for the rDNA is a global modulator of gene expression and also is a contributor to the gene expression variance observed in natural populations.

One of the fundamental questions in science is how chromatin transitions from actively transcribed euchromatin to silent heterochromatin, and what factors affect this transition. One area of my research has focused on understanding the differences in the chromatin structure of active and silent regions in the ribosomal DNA locus (rDNA), a heterochromatin region in S. cerevisiae. Secondly, I have focused on understanding a histone methyltransferase Set1, which is involved in both euchromatin and heterochromatin regions. To distinguish actively transcribed open regions of chromatin from silent and closed regions of chromatin, we have expressed a DNA methyltransferase M.CviPI in vivo to utilize its accessibility to GpC sites. We have used this technique to study changes in nucleosome positioning within the NTS2 region of the rDNA in two cases: as a result of a silencing defect caused by the loss of Sir2, a histone deacetylase involved in silencing at the rDNA, and as an indicator of active transcription by RNA Pol I. Using this technique, we observed differences between open and closed chromatin structure by changes in nucleosome positioning within NTS2. Additionally, we have observed the presence of bound factors within the 35S rRNA gene promoter that are unique to actively transcribed genes. The second area of my research focused on the protein methyltransferase Set1 that mono-, di-, and trimethylates lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) utilizing the methyl group from S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). Set1 is part of a multi protein complex called COMPASS (Complex associated with Set1), and is associated with both actively transcribed and silent regions. Thirty mutants of Set1 were made within the SET domain to learn more about the catalytic mechanism of Set1. The crystal structures of human SET domain proteins, as well as sequence alignments and a random mutagenesis of yeast Set1, were used to identify conserved amino acids in the SET domain of Set1. Mutants were analyzed for their effect on histone methylation in vivo, silencing of RNA Pol II transcription within the rDNA, suppression of ipl1-2, and COMPASS complex formation. Our results show that trimethylated H3K4 is required for silencing of RNA Pol II transcription at the rDNA. Overall, we have shown the importance of tyrosine residues in SET domain proteins. To summarize, my research has strived to understand chromatin structure and the factors that affect the transition between euchromatin and heterochromatin.

<p>This thesis concerns different areas of biomolecular nuclearmagnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). In the first part of thethesis a new formalism for simulations of NMR pulse sequencesis introduced. The formalism is derived both from classicalmechanics and quantum mechanics and is presented forhomonuclear and heteronuclear spin systems. The formalism hasalso been adapted to systems in chemical exchange. Simulationsof pulse sequences should be more straightforward using the newformalism.</p><p>In the second part of the thesis the NMR solution structuresof two ribosomal proteins are described. The ribosome isresponsible for protein production in all living cells and tounderstand the mechanism of the ribosome it is important toknow the three dimensional structure. In this thesis thestructures of S16 and S19, two of the proteins in the smallribosomal subunit, are presented. S16 is a mixed α /βprotein with a five-stranded parallel-antiparallel β-sheetand two α -helices. S19 is s mixed α/β proteinwith a three-stranded parallel-antiparallel β -sheet, oneα -helix and a short 3₁₀-helix.</p><p>In the third part of the thesis a program for semiautomaticassignment of NMR-spectra is presented. Assigning resonances inthe NMR spectrum is a labor-intensive process, which can takelong time. In semiautomatic assignment a computer program aidsthe user in finding assignments but leaves all decisions to theuser, thus speeding up the process. The program described inthis thesis is a new version of ANSIG, called Ansig forWindows. The program runs on PCs under Windows and has severaltools for semiautomatic assignment.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>nuclear magnetic resonance, structuredetermination, ribosomal proteins, NMR simulations, NMR theory,NMR assignment software, semiautomatic assignment</p>