Detection of 1O2 mediated protein damage and strategies to optimise protective mechanisms

• Antragsteller: Dr. Christian Fufezan
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Biochemie und Biophysik der Pflanzen
• Förderung: Förderung von 2010 bis 2014
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 164088618

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is ubiquitous, yet the damage it causes and its biological use are not fully explored. Structural factors that hinder or enhance 1O2 production on a molecular level will be investigated. Myoglobin and some variants of it will be used as model systems. Its heme group can easily be replaced by a highly active 1O2 producing protoporphyrin derivative (e.g. Zn-protoporphyrin). Thus turning the model system into a 1O2 producer. A survey of heme-binding proteins shows a common globin motif that we call the chopstick motif . Although myoglobin itself can be used as a model system, efforts will be put into place in order to reduce the size of the protein matrix around the cofactor to a minimum to facilitate the search for structural factors that influence the 1O2 production yield. By combining bioinformatic knowledge based approaches, genetic engineering and biophysical characterisation, we will determine structural factors that modulate 1O2 production and/or damage to our model complexes. Furthermore, a organelle focused proteomics approach is envisioned using the new mass spectrometry techniques presented here. This will help us to find other proteins that are e.g. heavily targeted by 1O2, giving this work potential to help design variants of the chopstick motif as well as to be extended to future research and applications.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen
• Internationaler Bezug: USA
• Beteiligte Person: Professorin Dr. Juliette T.J. Lecomte