The Influence of pH Variation on CooA Activity
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Robert Clark
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Chemistry
ORCID Identifier(s)
0000-0003-3030-725X (Rachael DeVries), 0000-0001-6991-014X (Brian Weaver)
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-28-2015
Abstract
A bacterial heme protein, CooA, changes shape to bind DNA and activate transcription. Previous research indicated gas molecule (e.g. carbon monoxide) binding to CooA is essential to initiate protein shape change, but recent studies suggested the protein may be able to bind DNA without gas in acidic conditions. To investigate this, CooA was subjected to an acid range of 4-10 pH units and DNA binding was measured via a fluorescence anisotropy assay. From these studies, pH dependent DNA binding was observed, and optimal binding was achieved in the pH 4-6 range. Addition of gas did not improve DNA binding at these pH values. Ongoing studies are investigating the molecular basis of this effect.
Recommended Citation
DeVries, Rachael M. and Weaver, Brian R., "The Influence of pH Variation on CooA Activity" (2015). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 481.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/481
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Rachael DeVries is a junior biology and chemistry major, and has been doing research on CooA for a little over a year. As an aspiring medical student, she found the biochemical basis of the project and the subject (heme proteins) to be intriguing. She hopes to continue working on this project into the school year, and would like to achieve publication worthy results.
Brian Weaver is a junior biochemistry major. He started on this particular project at the end of June 2015. Brian is an ambitious student, whose thirst for knowledge is tough to match. He finds CooA research especially appealing due to the fact that it combines two seemingly unrelated fields, inorganic and biological chemistry. His future career plans include attending graduate school to study biochemistry. Like Rachael, he hopes to continue on the project into the school year, publish in a reputable journal as well as speak at a biochemistry conference during the upcoming spring semester.