Two NIH-supported positions are available from October 2009 for studies on start codon selection by yeast ribosomes. The objective is to delineate key interactions between eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIF) or between eIF and the ribosome, critical for rapid and precise production of ribosome preinitiation complexes with start codon base paired with tRNAi anticodon.
The selected applicants will generate and characterize mutations mapping in yeast ribosomes or eIF. They will also purify and characterize protein complexes made from recombinant forms of yeast eIF or segments; a position may be filled with the applicant with knowledge in structural biology, aiming to determine the protein-protein interaction sites within the complexes using NMR methods. A Ph.D. in molecular biology or related field is required and experience with protein purification and/or knowledge of protein biosynthesis are preferred. Yeast geneticists are also welcome. However, priority will be given to applicants with the ability to conduct research independently.
To learn about our research, please refer to:
Katsura Asano and Matthew S. Sachs (2007). Translation factor control of ribosome conformation during start codon selection. Genes Dev. 21, 1280-1287.
Mikheil Reibarkh, Yasufumi Yamamoto, Chingakham Ranjit Singh, Federico del Rio, Bumjun Lee, Rafael Luna, Miki Ii, Gerhard Wagner, and Katsura Asano (2008). Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 1 carries two distinct eIF5-binding faces important for multifactor assembly and AUG selection. J Biol Chem 283, 1094-1103.
Tsuyoshi Udagawa, Naoki Nemoto, Caroline R. M. Wilkinson, Jana Narashimhan, Li Jiang, Stephan Watt, Aaron Zook, Nic Jones, Ronald C Wek, Jürg Bähler, and Katsura Asano (2008). Int6/eIF3e promotes general translation and Atf1 abundance to modulate Sty1 MAP kinase-dependent stress response in fission yeast. J Biol Chem 283, 22063-22075.
C. R. Singh, B. Lee, T. Udagawa, S, S. Mohammad-Qureshi, Y. Yamamoto, G. D. Pavitt, and K. Asano (2006). An eIF5/eIF2 complex antagonizes guanine nucleotide exchange by eIF2B during translation initiation. EMBO J. 25, 4537-4546.
Y. Yamamoto, C. R. Singh, A. Marintchev, N. S. Hall, E. M. Hannig, G. Wagner, and K. Asano (2005). The eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 5 HEAT domain mediates multifactor assembly and scanning with distinct interfaces to eIF1, eIF2, eIF3 and eIF4G. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102, 16164-16169.
Send curriculum vitae and the e-mail addresses of three references to:
Dr. Katsura Asano, Division of Biology, 258 Chalmers Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. Fax 785-532-6653, E-mail kasano@ksu.edu.
Review of applications will begin on September 28, 2009, and continue until position is filled. KSU is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees. Background check is required.
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