Nucleolar Essential Protein 1 (Nep1) is required for small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) maturation and is mutated in Bowen-Conradi Syndrome. Although yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Nep1 interacts with a consensus sequence found in three regions of the SSU rRNA, the molecular details of the interaction are unknown. Nep1 is a SPOUT RNA methyltransferase, and can catalyze methylation at the N1 position of pseudouridine. Nep1 is also involved in assembly of Rps19, an SSU ribosomal protein, into the SSU. Mutations in Nep1 that result in decreased methyl donor binding do not result in lethality, suggesting that enzymatic activity may not be required for function, and RNA binding may play a more important role. To study these interactions, the crystal structures of the ScNep1 dimer and its complexes with RNA were determined. The results demonstrate that Nep1 recognizes its RNA site via base-specific interactions and stabilizes a stem-loop in the bound RNA. Furthermore, the observed RNA structure contradicts the structures of the Nep1-binding sites within mature rRNA, suggesting that the Nep1 changes rRNA structure upon binding. Finally, a uridine base is bound in the active site of Nep1, positioned for a methyltransfer at the C5 position, supporting Nep1's role as an N1-specific pseudouridine methyltransferase.

In addition to the work completed with the Nep1 project, structural characterization of Rio3 Kinase is reported, as well as collaborative work in the structure determination of Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin complexes and Iodotyrosine Deiodinase.