Sensing atmosphere: Understanding the HNOX-protein gas-sensing capability and how it is affected by heme-oxidation.

该项目研究了来自新型HNOX（血红素-一氧化氮）家族的气体传感血红素蛋白如何能够区分不同的气体配体，如O2和NO，以及血红素的氧化如何改变这种反应。HNOX蛋白的气体传感能力对于从细菌到人类的生物体至关重要。因此，了解这些信号机制将对从病原体生长控制到人类血压调节的许多科学领域产生重大影响。这项合作将使澳大利亚科学家成为NO和氧化还原信号领域的世界领先者。这一发展也将大大有利于培养下一代澳大利亚学生和科学家。

The project investigates how gas sensing heme-proteins from the novel HNOX (Heme-Nitric Oxide) family are able to discriminate between different gaseous ligands such as O2 and NO and how oxidation of the heme alters this response. The gas-sensing capability of the HNOX proteins is crucial for organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Thus, understanding of these signalling mechanisms will have a strong impact on many scientific fields from the control of pathogen growth to human blood pressure regulation. This collaboration will establish Australian scientists and as world-leading in the field of NO and redox signalling. This development will also be of substantial benefit for the training of the next generation of Australian students and scientists.