Nickel Superoxide Dismutase: Investigating How A Seemingly Ill-Suited Biological Motif Can Perform Superoxide Detoxification

Board Of Regents, Nshe, Obo University Of Nevada, Reno, Reno NV

Investigators

Abstract

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program supports the research of Professor Jason Shearer of the University of Nevada Reno to synthesize biomimetic metallopeptide and transition metal complexes aimed at elucidating key questions concerning the coordination environment and mechanisms of nickel superoxide dismutase (NiSOD). A total synthesis of NiSOD in conjunction with a cell-free protein expression of NiSOD and the native chemical ligation of NiSOD fragments are utilized to investigate the properties of the metalloenzyme. NiSOD is a superoxide radical scavenging enzyme which removes potentially toxic by-products in oxygen-metabolizing organisms; it is implicated in a number of human diseases including cancer and arthritis. Graduate and undergraduate students will be extensively trained in chemical biology protocols as well as in computational techniques.