POWRE: The Calvin Cycle: Evolution and Catalytic Function of Phosphoribulo Kinase in a Marine Chromophyte

卡尔文循环是一个生物过程，通过这个过程，大气中的二氧化碳中的碳被转化为碳水化合物，在光生氧细胞中已经发挥作用超过35亿年。磷酸核酮糖激酶（Phosphoribulokinase，简称CPK）是一种调节生化途径进展的节流阀。本项目的目的是探讨色素藻异弯藻（Heterosigma carterae）中的β-淀粉酶的进化起源和催化功能。有色植物对全球CO2循环有着广泛的贡献，目前还没有关于这组生物中的CO2的生物化学信息。金褐色异弯藻在全球范围内形成有毒有害的水华，这是了解这种生物的生物学对人类如此重要的另一个原因。在本奖项期间，研究人员的实验室将完成异弯藻的基因测序。 通过同源性建模，研究者将确定可能对酶功能至关重要的残基;将来，这些氨基酸将被诱变以确定其对功能的影响。 此外，还将对酶进行表征。 异弯藻基因将在酵母中过表达以产生大量的酶。 将开发一种用于测定酶活性的测定方法，并用于测量温度、pH值、抑制剂和底物的影响。这些研究完成后，将形成一个参考数据库的色素植物的功能。这是一个权力项目。 在该奖项支持的休假期间，研究人员将有机会学习新技术并更加熟悉科学公司的文化和需求。 新的知识将提高调查员自己的研究和她的价值作为一个导师，并作为一个贡献者的大学社区。

CattolicoThe Calvin cycle, the biological process by which carbon in atmospheric CO2 is converted into carbohydrate, has functioned in photo-oxygenic cells for over 3.5 billion years. Phosphoribulokinase (PRK) acts as a throttle that governs the progression of this biochemical pathway. The goal of this project is to probe the evolutionary origin and catalytic function of PRK in the chromophytic alga Heterosigma carterae. Chromophytic plants contribute extensively to global CO2 cycling, and currently there is no biochemical information on PRK in this group of organisms. The formation of toxic and noxious algal blooms world-wide by Heterosigma carterae, a golden-brown alga, is another reason that understanding the biology of this organism is so important to mankind.During the term of this award the investigator's laboratory will finish sequencing the gene for Heterosigma PRK. Through homology modeling the investigator will identify residues likely to be crucial for enzymatic function; in the future these amino acids will be mutagenized to determine their effects on function. In addition, the enzyme will be characterized. The Heterosigma PRK gene will be over-expressed in yeast to produce large quantities of the enzyme. An assay for PRK activity will be developed and used in measuring the effects of temperature, pH, inhibitors, and substrates. These studies, when complete, will form a reference database for PRK function in chromophytic plants. This is a POWRE project. During the sabbatical supported by this award, the investigator will have the opportunity to learn new techniques and to become more familiar with the culture and needs of scientific companies. The new knowledge will enhance the investigator's own research and her value as a mentor and as a contributor to the university community.