Acing nucleic acids and chemistry : exogenous RNA/DNA acetylation and modeling universal data formats.

N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) is an epitranscriptomic RNA modification formed by the acetylation of the primary amine of cytosine by an N-acetyltransferase with acetyl-CoA as the acetyl donor. This highly conserved modification is involved in RNA stability and translation efficacy. The natural acetylation of RNA poses the question: can the nitrogenous bases of RNA and DNA nucleotides undergo exogenous acetylation due to pharmacons such as aspirin? This popular over the counter drug has been used as an analgesic for over one hundred years and is known to acetylate the side chain amine group of lysine residues in proteins. In this dissertation, I investigate the ability of three different pharmacons, acetic anhydride, acetylsalicylic acid, and sulfo-NHS acetate, to acetylate RNA and DNA. I then aim to determine the rate of the amide proton-solvent exchange rate of acetylated nucleic acids. Amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange has been studied on proteins for decades but has not been studied on RNA and DNA due to the relatively low abundance of naturally occurring acetylated nucleic acids. In chapters three and four, I discuss two projects involving universal design for data sharing, aimed at making data accessible to the blind and visually impaired.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Kirby, Emily A., 1998-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Shaw, Bryan Francis, 1976-

• N4-acetylcytidine.
• Universal design.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14749

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14749