Roger Wartell, Professor

About Roger Wartell

Publications

Ph.D., Physics, University of Rochester, 1971

Phone: 404-894-8421
Fax: (404) 894-0519
Office: (IBB) 1307/1205

Research Interests

RNA based regulation of gene expression. RNA-protein interaction. Thermodynamics of DNA and RNA structural motifs. Factors governing RNA structural transitions and function.

Current Research

Current research is directed at understanding the interaction of the RNA-binding protein Hfq with short regulatory RNAs and its specific RNA target sites. Short non-coding regulatory RNAs (sRNA) are important elements in the regulation of gene expression for bacteria. Hfq is a bacterial RNA-binding protein that facilitates the hybridization of sRNAs to their target regions on specific mRNAs. Hfq is highly conserved in bacterial phyla and has been shown to be a virulence factor in several bacterial species. The interactions of wild type and mutant Hfq proteins with specific RNAs are being examined. Biochemical/biophysical methods such as qPCR, electrophoresis mobility shift assays and fluorescence spectroscopy are being employed. Another collaborative research project involving small regulatory RNAs is exploring the role of ‘microRNAs’ (21-24 bp long) on the stages of embryo development of loblolly pine.

A second area of research is directed at improving the understanding of factors governing the stability and conformation of RNA and DNA sequences. The ability to predict RNA structure from sequence for structure function studies depends in large measure on thermodynamic parameters of known RNA structural motifs such as internal loops, base mismatches, and base bulges. DNA hybridization is also a key factor in many biotechnology applications. UV absorbance monitored transitions and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis are being employed to determine the stability and conformational switching of structural motifs in RNA and DNA.

Selected Publications

“Hfq mediated pairing of the RprA small RNA and RpoS mRNA: Influence of the 5’ RpoS mRNA leader region and Hfq concentration on RprA-RpoS formation.” T. Updegrove, N. Wilf, X. Sun, and R.M. Wartell 2008. submitted

“Evidence for Stage-specific Modulation of Specific microRNAs (miRNA) and miRNA Processing Components in Female Gametophyte Tissues during Embryogenesis of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)” T. J. Oh, R. M. Wartell, J. Cairney, and G. S. Pullman New Phytologist 2008 (in press)

“Conversion of Stable RNA Hairpin to a Metastable Dimer in Frozen Solution” 2007 X. Sun, J.M. Li, and R.M. Wartell RNA 13, 2277-2286,

Sun, X. and R.M. Wartell 2006. E coli Hfq Binds A18 and DsrA-domain II with Similar 2 Hfq6:1 RNA Stoichiometry Using Different Surface Sites Biochemistry 45, 4875-4887.

B. N. Bourdelat-Parks, B. N. and R.M. Wartell 2005. Thermodynamics of RNA Duplexes with Tandem Mismatches Containing a Uracil-Uracil Pair Flanked by CG/GC or GC/AU Closing Base Pairs Biochemistry 44, 16710-16717.

B. N. Bourdelat-Parks, B. N. and R.M. Wartell 2004. Thermodynamic Stability of DNA Tandem

“Melting of Cross Linked DNA caused by local stabilization.” 2003 A. Friedman, V. Brabec, S. Harouhoutan, R. M. Wartell, D. Lando J. Biomolecular Ster. Dynamics 20, 533,

Li J, Bourdelat-Parks B, Boatright JH, Wartell R M. 2003 Targeting degradation of RNA by RNase H using DNA hairpins Biochemistry 42, 10945-54.

Sun, X., I. Zhulin, and R. M. Wartell. 2002. Predicted structure and phyletic distribution of the RNA binding protein Hfq. Nuc. Acids Res. 30:3693-3700.