Developing Connections Between LINC00298 RNA and Alzheimer's Disease Through Mapping Its Interactome and Through Biochemical Characterization.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs are ubiquitous throughout the human system, yet many of their biological functions remain unknown. LINC00298 RNA, a long intergenic non-coding RNA, has been shown to have preferential expression in the central nervous system where it contributes to neuronal differentiation and development. Furthermore, previous research has indicated that LINC00298 RNA is known to be a genetic risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Characterization of tRNA binding interactions with Cu and Pb and their biological implications.

RNA is known to interact with Mg when assuming higher-ordered tertiary configurations. Structurally, when tRNA molecules interact with Mg, they consistently form a "L-shape" conformation each time they are synthesized. Therefore, if Mg can induce tertiary structure formation, then binding to alternative cations could produce alternative tertiary configurations.

Zinc is the molecular "switch" that controls the catalytic cycle of bacterial leucyl-tRNA synthetase.

The Escherichia coli (E. coli) leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) enzyme is part of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) family. LeuRS is an essential enzyme that relies on specialized domains to facilitate the aminoacylation reaction.