Mohan &
Strassler
Artist
Ananya Mohan
- Undergraduate Artist
- Emory University
Scientist
Sarah Strassler
Graduate student
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Emory University
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'Structure Solving'
by Ananya Mohan
Medium: acrylic paint
Artist's narrative
By Ananya Mohan
Structure Solving is an abstract narrative on protein folding and three-dimensional structure. Placing equal emphasis on the object of study as well as the methodology, this piece depicts a stylized version of particle-picking and 2D classification, which are steps in the Cryo-EM process that help ‘solve’ the protein structure. The separate elements of this work are unified by the centerpiece, which is a reproduction of an interaction between Trm-10 and tRNA. The use of strong, simple shapes in a vibrant color palette is intended to present this clever, complex mechanism in a striking way.
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Abstract
by Sarah Strassler
Trm10 is an RNA-modifying enzyme that is evolutionarily conserved across eukaryotes (including humans) and archea. Trm10 specifically modifies the 9th guanosine nucleotide of transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which are essential for translating the DNA code into a protein sequence during the process of gene expression. Trm10 only modifies a unique subset of tRNA molecules and no common features have been identified among these tRNAs. Therefore, my project focuses on identifying how Trm10 is able to recognize the correct tRNAs for modification. One approach I am using for my project is cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) which allows us to collect high-resolution images of the Trm10-tRNA complex. Once these images are collected, we can select our particles of Trm10-tRNA from these images through a process called particle picking. Particles which are in a similar orientation are grouped together during 2D Classification, allowing us to generate a 3D model of Trm10 bound to tRNA and solve the structure. This structure will help us understand the specific interactions between Trm10 and tRNA and will uncover a novel mechanism of RNA recognition which may apply to other RNA-modifying enzymes as well.