Structural Study of Biological Phenomena Regulated by Post-transcription and Post-translational Modifications

The genetic information encoded in DNA is transcribed into mRNA and then translated into protein. DNA, RNA, and proteins are modified by various enzymes and change their functions by the modifications. Phosphorylation or methylation are well-known modifications. Modifications to mRNA are called post-transcriptional modifications, and those to proteins are called post-translational modifications. Enzymatic modifications are essential to maintain the normal function of the cells and must be strictly controlled. Their failure causes serious diseases. Establishing the structural base to understand the catalytic mechanism of modification enzymes or functional changes of proteins induced by modifications is very important, not only for basic research but also for drug discovery. In this article, I would like to introduce my recent studies relating to the post-translational and post-transcriptional modifications.