The Role of Supernumeral Subunit of Bacterial Cytochrome b-c1 Complex

9305455 Yu本研究的总体目标是阐明额外亚基IV(Mr=14,384)在光合细菌球形红假单胞菌细胞色素bc1复合体中的作用。尽管先前的研究表明IV亚基是这个细菌Bc1复合体的组成部分，并参与Q结合，但该亚基的结构和其他功能(S)尚未确定。PI旨在通过基因缺失、互补以及结合物理、化学和生物学特性进行体外定点和/或随机突变来研究该蛋白的作用和结构-功能关系。这个项目的成功将增加对这种光合细菌Bc1复合体的结构-功能和机制的了解。通过本研究获得的知识将有助于更好地了解光合作用装置中的能量传递机制，从而提高光合作用效率和除草剂设计，并将增进对线粒体生物能量学的理解。这样的理解可以提高光合作用的效率，从而增加可再生能源。***

9305455 Yu The overall objective of this research is to elucidate the role of supernumeral subunit IV (Mr = 14,384), in the cytochrome bc1 complex of a photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Although previous studies indicate that subunit IV is an integral part of this bacterial bc1 complex and is involved in Q-binding, the structure and other function(s) of this subunit are yet to be established. The PI intends to investigate the role and structure- function relationship of this protein through gene deletion, complementation, and site-directed and/or random in vitro mutagenesis in concert with physical, chemical, and biological characterizations. %%% The success of this project will increase understanding of the structure-function and mechanism of this photosynthetic bacterial bc1 complex. The knowledge gained from this research will provide a better understanding of energy transduction mechanisms in the photosynthetic apparatus, and thus improvement in photosynthetic efficiency and herbicide design, and will enhance understanding of mitochondrial bioenergetics. Such an understanding could lead to increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis and thus increase the renewable energy sources. ***