Defining the Mechanistic Strategies of Defulfonation in the Alkanesulfonate Sulfonate Monooxygenase System

硫是所有生命所必需的元素。细菌通过不同的代谢途径在硫循环中发挥关键作用。当环境中的硫受到限制时，细菌会表达特定的蛋白质来保持细胞内的硫。烷基磺酸盐单加氧酶系统为细菌提供了在硫磺限制条件下获得替代硫源的途径。这些研究将阐明烷基磺酸盐单加氧酶系统在向细菌供应硫磺方面的重要作用。该项目的主要目标是全面建立烷基磺酸盐单加氧酶系统使用的机制，以更好地了解其在硫磺获取和整个硫循环中的生理作用。该项目的一个教育部分旨在鼓励科学中代表性不足的群体的学生参与奥本大学的研究。PI正在与科学与数学学院(COSAM)的少数族裔项目协调员合作，为计划主修科学、数学或预科课程的新生参加夏季桥梁计划。本科生将进行一场关于研究在本科教育中的重要性的互动演讲，随后将进行一项动手实验室实验，以激发学生对本科生研究的兴趣。这笔助学金将在每个资助年度为COSAM的一名少数族裔学生提供暑期研究奖学金。

Sulfur is an essential element for all life. Bacteria play a key role in the sulfur cycle through diverse metabolic pathways. When sulfur is limited in the environment, bacteria express specific proteins to retain intracellular sulfur. The alkanesulfonate monooxygenase system provides bacteria access to an alternative sulfur source under sulfur limiting conditions. These studies will elucidate the essential role of the alkanesulfonate monooxygenase system in supplying sulfur to bacteria. The broad objective of this project is to fully establish the mechanism used by the alkanesulfonate monooxygenase system to better understand its physiological role in sulfur acquisition and the overall sulfur cycle. An educational component of this project seeks to encourage students from underrepresented groups in the sciences to participate in research at Auburn University. The PI is collaborating with the Minority Programs Coordinator in the College of Science and Mathematics (COSAM) to participate in the Summer Bridge Program for incoming minority freshmen planning to major in sciences, mathematics, or pre-professional programs. An interactive talk on the importance of research in an undergraduate education will be presented followed by a hands-on laboratory experiment to stimulate interest in undergraduate research. The grant will provide a summer research fellowship to a minority student in COSAM for each funding year.