RUI: Investigation of the Relationship of Ferritin's Structure to Its Electron Transfer Reactions

无机，生物无机和有机化学计划的这一奖项支持了唐纳德·C教授对铁储存蛋白铁蛋白吸收和释放铁的机制的研究。科罗拉多-丹佛大学化学系的扎皮恩说。将确定蛋白质外壳响应核心铁氧化态变化的方式，以及蛋白质结构的差异如何影响铁蛋白的电化学反应性。采用的主要方法是循环伏安法的单层铁蛋白吸附在表面上的锡掺杂的氧化铟电极。在铁还原之前和之后的核心组成的变化将通过X射线光电子能谱法测定，并且通过免疫测定法测定蛋白质构象的变化。天然和重组铁蛋白将被检查，以阐明的H和L-链亚基方面的铁螯合和discharge.The本研究的目标是了解蛋白质铁蛋白如何执行其功能的作用。其主要功能是在生物细胞中吸收多余的铁，储存铁并在需要时提供。除了获得关于这一重要蛋白质的基本信息外，研究结果还将为非生物应用（如电化学测定）提供基础。这项研究在本科院校项目，采用综合化学和生物化学的方法，提供了一个很好的培训工具，为不同群体的本科生。他们将为工业就业或深造做好充分准备。

This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry program supports research on the mechanism(s) of iron uptake and release by the iron storage protein ferritin by Professor Donald C. Zapien of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado-Denver. The way in which the protein shell responds to changes in oxidation state of the iron in the core will be determined, as well as how the differences in protein structure affect the electrochemical reactivity of the ferritin. The principal methodology to be employed is cyclic voltammetry of a single layer of ferritin adsorbed on the surface of a tin-doped indium oxide electrode. Changes in composition of the core before and after iron reduction will be determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and changes in protein conformation by immunoassay. Both native and recombinant ferritins will be examined in order to elucidate the role of the H and L-chain subunits with regard to iron sequestration and discharge.The goal of this research is to understand how the protein ferritin carries out its functions. The principal functions are to take up excess iron in biological cells, store the iron and supply it when needed. In addition to obtaining fundamental information on this important protein, the results will provide a basis for non-biological applications such as electrochemical assays. This Research at an Undergraduate Institution project, employing an integrated chemical and biochemical approach, provides an excellent training vehicle for a diverse group of undergraduate students. They will be well-prepared for either industrial employment or advanced study.