# Structural and Functional Studies of Mtr4 and the TRAMP RNA Surveillance Complex

> **NIH NIH R15** · UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $430,125

## Abstract

Project Summary
Nuclear RNA processing and surveillance is a complex process involving multiple proteins and protein
assemblies that identify and eventually degrade targeted RNA substrates. The RNA helicase, Mtr4, plays
a central role in this process by providing a bridge between substrate targeting and RNA decay by the
RNA exosome. RNA recognition is performed directly by Mtr4 and by various adaptor proteins that recruit
Mtr4 to targeted substrates. A major challenge is to understand the molecular details of how these
proteins interact with RNA substrates and with each other to achieve substrate specificity. Additionally,
accessory domains within Mtr4 play important but poorly defined roles in substrate recognition and
processing. Notably, the available structural data demonstrate that Mtr4 is a highly dynamic protein, but it
is not known how protein dynamics relate to helicase function. This project seeks to define the molecular
basis for Mtr4 function by employing a variety of biochemical, biophysical and structural approaches,
supported by in vivo genetic analyses. The specific aims of this project are to (1) describe the role of
Mtr4 accessory domains and (2) characterize interactions within the TRAMP (Trf4-Air2-Mtr4) complex.
Undergraduate and graduate researchers with interests in future careers in biomedical research or
medicine will be involved in the project.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10580424
- **Project number:** 1R15GM148949-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SEAN J JOHNSON
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $430,125
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-10 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10580424

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10580424, Structural and Functional Studies of Mtr4 and the TRAMP RNA Surveillance Complex (1R15GM148949-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10580424. Licensed CC0.

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