Section on Molecular and Cell Biology

Head: Richard J. Maraia

This group studies basic mechanisms of transcription by RNA polymerase III, the polymerase responsible for synthesis of tRNA and small ribosomal RNAs. Attention is focused on transcription termination and re-initiation, using both human cell-free and in vivo systems. A novel tRNA opal suppressor-reporter system is used in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The group also studies the expression of human Alu elements. Active Alu retroposons contain pol III promoters and are mobile within the human genome.

Resources

• Employee Listing
• E-Mail the Lab: maraiar@mail.nih.gov
• SMCB Home Page