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。酶是一种催化这种化学物质的蛋白质。 使有机体发挥作用的反应。几乎所有的生命过程都是由蛋白质控制的， 要正确理解蛋白质是如何工作的，我们使用一种名为蛋白质X射线结晶学的技术来研究 它们的结构以非常高的倍率。我的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，包括脱氢酶和硫氧还蛋白系统。IDH是一种参与肌醇代谢的模型蛋白质。了解这种酶的功能将使我们能够了解类似的酶。硫氧还蛋白系统在所有生物体中都有重要的作用来对抗氧化损伤。该系统正被用作研究蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用的模型。我们在这个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 dehydrogenases and the thioredoxin system. IDH is a model protein that is involved in the metabolism of inositol. Understanding the function of this enzyme will enable us to understand similar enzymes. 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 system will have an impact on future studies of protein-protein interactions.