Kathleen B. Hall, Ph.D.
Professor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Computational and Molecular Biophysics Program
Biochemistry Program
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Office Phone: 314-362-4196
Lab Phone: 314-362-8885
Other Phone:
FAX: 314-362-7183
Box: 8231
Lab Address: 2816 North Building
Email: kathleenhal@gmail.com
Website: http://www.biochem.wustl.edu/kbhlab/
Keywords: RNA; NMR; RNA:protein interactions; fluorescence
Short Research Description: We study the interactions between RNA and its binding proteins. |
Research Abstract:
We study the structure and dynamics of RNA and RNA:protein complexes, with the goal of describing the basis of molecular recognition in these fascinating complexes. We have focused on the human U1A protein bound to its two RNA targets, but are now using what we have learned to describe the interactions between the Drosophila protein snf and the two RNA hairpins that it binds. These studies use NMR, fluorescence, and computational methods, as well as biochemical techniques. We are also looking at the large RNA:protein complexes formed on pre-mRNA intron/exons by the human polypyrimidine tract RNA binding protein (PTB). PTB contains four RNA binding domains, one or more of which could bind to any given RNA sequence. Co-transcription RNA folding of prokaryotic riboswitches is one of our new ventures. |
Selected Publications:
Clerte C, Hall KB.The domains of polypyrimidine tract binding protein have distinct RNA structural preferences. Biochemistry, 2009 48(10): 2063–2074
Hall, KB RNA in Motion. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2008 Dec;12(6): 612-8.
Showalter, SA, Baker, NA, Tang, C, Hall, KB. Iron responsive element RNA flexibility described by NMR and isotropic reorientational eigenmode dynamics. J Biomol NMR 2005 23:179-193.
Showalter, SA & Hall, KB. Correlated motions in the U1 snRNA stemloop 2:U1A RBD1 complex. Biophysical J 2005 89: 2046-2058.
Hall KB, Williams DJ. Dynamics of the IRE RNA hairpin loop probed by 2-aminopurine fluorescence and stochastics dynamics simulations. RNA 2004 10: 34-47. |