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Faculty
Arlen Johnson
Professor In Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Under Graduate Advisor

Email: Arlen@austin.utexas.edu
Website
Main Office: NMS 1.126
Phone: (512) 475-6350

Alternate Office: NMS 1.246
Alt. Phone: (512) 475-9729

Mailing Address
The University of Texas at Austin
Section of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
2506 Speedway Stop A5000
Austin ,TX 78712-1191
Arlen Johnson

Research Summary

Since working out the pathway for nuclear export of the large ribosomal subunit more than 10 years ago, we have continued to study both nuclear and cytoplasmic events of making ribosomes. We have become interested in the general question of how the newly made ribosome is checked for function. We have found that the proper assembly of the P-site, close to the catalytic center of the ribosome is assessed by several proteins that appear to be mimics of translation factors. This has led us to propose that the 60S subunit undergoes a "test drive' that involves a pseudo translocation event before it is released into the pool of active ribosomes. We are continuing to pursue this interface between ribosome biogenesis and translation. On going collaborations with structural biology labs will take our molecular genetic analysis to a structural level. In contrast to the large subunit of the ribosome, which catalyzes polypeptide synthesis, the small subunit is responsible for decoding. Projects related to the small subunit are directed at understanding two major transitions during its biogenesis: the separation of the small subunit from the nascent large subunit in the nucleus as well as protein rearrangements in the cytoplasm that release the transport factors from the nascent subunit.