RUI: Energetics and Dynamics of an Electron-Transfer Protein from a Psychrophilic, Hydrocarbonoclastic Microorganism

NSF化学部生命过程化学计划的这一奖项资助巴纳德学院的John Magyar博士研究来自嗜冷（嗜冷）微生物Colwellia psychrerythraea的细胞色素c的能量学和动力学。 蛋白质将通过各种结构和光谱方法进行研究，包括紫外可见吸收，荧光，圆二色性和NMR光谱; X射线晶体学;和电化学。 特别地，非共价相互作用（例如，氢键和阳离子-π相互作用）和配体取代反应在嗜冷蛋白质折叠将被研究。这项工作将提供深入了解细胞过程，如电子转移和能量储存如何发生在合理的速率在降低的温度。Colwellia psychrerythraea，生物体的蛋白质在这里进行了研究，发挥了重要作用，在天然碳氢化合物降解过程后，2010年墨西哥湾漏油事件。与以往大多数主要影响海面和海岸线的石油泄漏不同，2010年墨西哥湾的石油泄漏发生在深水和冷水中。 在这种不寻常的环境中，不同的微生物参与了自然清理。该奖项资助的工作增加了对微生物如何在低温下生存和繁殖的科学理解。 这些见解将导致更好地了解蛋白质动力学和分子内相互作用，与生物修复，太阳能利用和全球生物地球化学循环。此外，该项目将为巴纳德学院的女本科生提供研究经验，并为纽约市的小学生和中学生提供科学推广活动。

This award from the Chemistry of Life Processes Program in the NSF Chemistry Division funds Dr. John Magyar from Barnard College to study the energetics and dynamics of cytochrome c from the cold-loving (psychrophilic) microorganism Colwellia psychrerythraea. The protein will be studied by a variety of structural and spectroscopic methods, including UV-visible absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and NMR spectroscopies; X-ray crystallography; and electrochemistry. In particular, roles of noncovalent interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonds and cation-pi interactions) and ligand substitution reactions in psychrophilic protein folding will be investigated. This work will provide insights into how cellular processes such as electron transfer and energy storage occur with reasonable rates at decreased temperatures.Colwellia psychrerythraea, the organism whose protein is investigated here, played a major role in natural hydrocarbon degradation processes following the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Unlike most previous oil spills, which primarily affect the ocean surface and the shoreline, the 2010 Gulf of Mexico spill occurred in deep, cold water. In this unusual environment, different microorganisms were involved in the natural cleanup. The work funded by this award adds to the scientific understanding of how microorganisms can live and thrive at low temperatures. These insights will lead to greater understanding of protein dynamics and intramolecular interactions, with relevance to bioremediation, solar energy utilization, and global biogeochemical cycling. In addition, the project will provide research experiences for undergraduate women at Barnard College and science outreach efforts to elementary and secondary students in New York City.