Structure/function studies of novel enzymes and enzyme complexes

蛋白质是所有生命系统中的关键化合物。酶是一种蛋白质，它催化化学反应，使有机体发挥作用。几乎所有的生命过程都是由蛋白质控制的，为了正确了解蛋白质的工作原理，我们使用一种名为蛋白质X射线结晶学的技术以非常高的倍数研究它们的结构。我研究的广泛目标是增加我们对蛋白质如何识别它们结合的化合物的理解。这个目标是通过使用不同的技术来分析蛋白质识别其他分子的程度来实现的。然后我们可以将这些信息与这些络合物的结构进行比较。我们的工作旨在确定结构在识别过程中所起的作用。该计划强调发现，研究蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用的模型系统，以及鲜为人知的功能的酶。这项工作的成果将包括结构辅助药物设计，以及理解其他蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用系统的模型系统。我们的实验室研究了几种不同的蛋白质系统，包括UGM和硫氧还蛋白系统。UGM是细菌形成其保护细胞壁所需的一种酶。这种反应是这种酶所独有的，我们的持续工作将对开发新的抗微生物药物产生影响。硫氧还蛋白系统在所有生物体中都具有重要的作用，用于对抗氧化损伤。该系统正被用作研究蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用的模型。我们在该系统上的工作将对未来蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用的研究产生影响。

Proteins are critical compounds in all living systems. Enzymes are a type of protein that catalyze the chemical reactions that allow an organism to function. Virtually all life processes are controlled by proteins and to properly understand how proteins work, we use a technique called protein X-ray crystallography to examine their structures at very high magnification.The broad objective of my research is to increase our understanding of how proteins recognize the compounds that they bind. This objective is approached by using different techniques to analyze how well proteins recognize other molecules. We can then compare this information with the structures of these complexes. Our work is aimed at determining the role that structure has in the recognition process. This program emphasizes discovery, studying both model systems for protein-protein interactions, and enzymes of poorly understood functions. Outcomes of this work will include structure-assisted drug design, and a model system for understanding other protein-protein interaction systems.Our lab studies several different protein systems, including 'UGM'and the thioredoxin system. UGM is an enzyme that is required by bacteria to form their protective cell wall. The reaction is unique to this enzyme and our continued work will have an impact on developing novel antimicrobial drugs. The thioredoxin system has an important role in all organisms for combating oxidative damage. The system is being used as a model for studying protein-protein interactions. Our work on this sytem will have an impact on future studies of protein-protein interactions.