"Determining Factors that Affect Gas Binding Specificity for the Carbon" by Alexa Lederhaus and Jaycie Thomas
 

Determining Factors that Affect Gas Binding Specificity for the Carbon Monoxide Sensor, CooA

Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Robert Clark

College

College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Discipline(s)

Biochemistry

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-24-2025

Abstract

CooA is a protein found in Rhodospirillum rubrum (Rr) and Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans (Ch) and naturally acts as a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor and transcription factor. When CO binds to the CooA heme, the protein undergoes a conformational change that enables it to bind to DNA. The broader goal of this research is to obtain a mechanistic understanding of how the CooA heme, along with the amino acids that are located near the heme, enable CooA to act as a CO-specific sensor. Our current project is to determine if a cysteine amino acid that is close to the heme group alters the specificity of the regulatory gas during the activation mechanism. Preliminary results from electronic absorbance spectroscopy indicate that this cysteine influences the coordination chemistry of the CooA heme, possibly enabling other gases like nitric oxide to activate the DNA binding function.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Alexa Lederhaus is a current junior chemistry and biology major from Fremont, Wisconsin. She is pursuing a career as a future physician. Jaycie Thomas is also a junior biology and chemistry major from Pierceton, Indiana. She is planning a career path in science education. They became interested in biochemistry research by talking to their mentor, Dr. Bob, and doing well in general chemistry and biochemistry.

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