Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Conditional protein splicing in an essential DNA helicase from the deep sea hydrothermal archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Biology/Pre-Dental
Minor
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Christopher Lennon
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Inteins are known as intervening proteins that are translated in other organisms and removed through a self-catalyzed protein splicing reaction. Inteins are widespread in prokaryotes, being present in about half of archaea and a quarter of bacteria. They are known as mobile genetic elements, but they tend to cluster around specific types of genes, typically involved with DNA replication, recombination, and repair. While traditionally assumed to be molecular parasites, work over the last decade has demonstrated that some inteins function as adaptive post-translational regulatory elements, whereby splicing is responsive to environmental conditions. For instance, the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis has two inteins in a crucial DNA replication protein called helicase MCM. Our study shows that these two MCM inteins, both produced within the same protein, have variable splicing rates. One of these inteins, located in the active site of MCM, only becomes active at higher temperatures, which is a condition relevant to T. kodakarensis. These findings support the idea that evolution has repurposed or "exapted" some inteins, transforming them from being considered parasites to beneficial regulatory elements.
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Conditional protein splicing in an essential DNA helicase from the deep sea hydrothermal archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis
Inteins are known as intervening proteins that are translated in other organisms and removed through a self-catalyzed protein splicing reaction. Inteins are widespread in prokaryotes, being present in about half of archaea and a quarter of bacteria. They are known as mobile genetic elements, but they tend to cluster around specific types of genes, typically involved with DNA replication, recombination, and repair. While traditionally assumed to be molecular parasites, work over the last decade has demonstrated that some inteins function as adaptive post-translational regulatory elements, whereby splicing is responsive to environmental conditions. For instance, the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis has two inteins in a crucial DNA replication protein called helicase MCM. Our study shows that these two MCM inteins, both produced within the same protein, have variable splicing rates. One of these inteins, located in the active site of MCM, only becomes active at higher temperatures, which is a condition relevant to T. kodakarensis. These findings support the idea that evolution has repurposed or "exapted" some inteins, transforming them from being considered parasites to beneficial regulatory elements.