Terry Platt
Professor of Biochemistry and Biology
Contact Information:
University of Rochester
Department of Biology
River Campus Box 270211
Rochester,
New York 14627-0211
Hutchison 444
tpla@mail.rochester.edu
585-275-8244
Research Overview
Molecular mechanisms of gene expression; transcription termination and mRNA 3' and formation in Escherichia coli and yeast; protein-nucleic acid.
Our major research interest concerns the molecular mechanisms governing termination of transcription by RNA polymerase and the formation of mature messenger RNA 3' ends by RNA processing events. Studies in both E. coli and yeast combine genetic and biochemical approaches to examine the nature of the termination sites in the DNA or RNA, the characteristics of the proteins involved, and their role in recognizing the encoded signals and catalyzing termination. Observations indicate that termination sites may be more complex than previously imagined and that prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms share conceptually similar features that participate in controlling gene expression and that are integrated with requirements for messenger RNA activity turnover.
Selected Publications
- 2003. An Innovative Selection and Training Program for Problem-based Learning (PBL) Workshop Leaders in Biochemistry. Biochem & Mol. Biol. Education 31: 132-136.
- 1998. RNA Structure in Transcription Elongation, Termination, and Antitermination. RNS Structure and Function R. Simons & M. Grunberg-Manago, eds. (Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY): 541-574.
- 1998. Escherichia coli rho factor induces release of yeast RNA polymerase II but not polymerase I or III. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95: 4900-4905.
- 1996. RNA binding analysis of yeast REF2 and its two-hybrid interaction with a new gene product, FIR1. Gene Expr. 6: 241-258.
- 1995. REF2 encodes an RNA-binding protein directly involved in yeast mRNA 3'-end formation. Mol. Cell Biol. 15: 1689-1697.