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

这项由美国国家科学基金会化学部生命过程化学计划颁发的奖项资助了巴纳德学院的John Magyar博士，他研究了嗜寒(嗜冷)微生物Colwell liaresrerythraea的细胞色素c的能量学和动力学。该蛋白质将通过各种结构和光谱方法进行研究，包括紫外可见吸收光谱、荧光光谱、圆二色谱和核磁共振光谱、X射线结晶学和电化学。特别是，非共价相互作用(如氢键和阳离子-pi相互作用)和配体取代反应在嗜冷蛋白质折叠中的作用将被研究。这项工作将为人们深入了解细胞过程，如电子转移和能量存储如何在较低的温度下以合理的速度发生。在2010年墨西哥湾漏油事件后，其蛋白质被研究的生物体Colwell lia cirerythraea在自然碳氢化合物降解过程中发挥了重要作用。与之前大多数主要影响海洋表面和海岸线的漏油事件不同，2010年的墨西哥湾漏油事件发生在又深又冷的水域。在这种不同寻常的环境中，不同的微生物参与了自然清理。这项由该奖项资助的工作增加了对微生物如何在低温下生存和茁壮成长的科学理解。这些见解将有助于更好地理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有关。此外，该项目将为巴纳德学院的女本科生提供研究经验，并为纽约市的中小学生提供科学推广工作。

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.