|
Protein structure/function relationships, Molecular and cellular biology of meiosis, chromosome structure, chemical detoxification The goal of our research is to utilize modern biochemical, cellular and molecular techniques to investigate structure function relationships in proteins essential for cellular metabolism and chromosome function. We are especially interested in understanding processes involved in cellular division and chemical detoxification. One focus of our work involves the isolation and characterization of genes required for meiosis and the analysis of meiotic mutants of Arabidopsis to better understand proteins that control chromosome structure during meiosis. One family of genes currently under study is required for chromosome condensation and sister chromatid cohesion during meiosis and mitosis. A second set of genes under study is responsible for controlling meiotic gene expression. This project utilizes studies at the cellular, molecular and biochemical levels. A second focus of our laboratory involves studies on the glyoxalase pathway, which is involved in cellular detoxification and the regulation of cellular proliferation. Molecular, biochemical and structural studies are underway to more accurately determine the exact role(s) of glyoxalase II-like proteins in the cell. Structure/function studies on glyoxalase II-like proteins are also underway to identify and characterize the active site of the enzymes and understand their kinetic mechanisms. Goals of this work include the rational design and synthesis of glyoxalase II inhibitors that could be used as anti-cancer and anti-malarial agents and determination of the biochemical role of ETHE1, which is responsible for Ethylmalonic Encephalopathy, a complex metabolic disorder in humans. References L. Zhe and C. A. Makaroff, “Arabidopsis AtESP1 is an Essential Gene Required for the Release of Sister Chromatid Cohesion”, Plant Cell, 18, 1213-1225 (2006). D. Zou, X. Yang, Quan Li, L. Timofejeva, N. W. Rigel, H. Ma, and C. A. Makaroff, “ASK1, a SKP1-like Gene, is Required for Chromosome Pairing Condensation and Separation and Involved in SYN1 Cohesin Degradation During Meiosis”, Plant Mol. Biol., 63, 99-110 (2006). J. G. McCoy, C. A. Bingman, B. Eduard, M. M. Holdorf, C. A. Makaroff, and G. N. Phillips, “Structure of an ETHE1-like Protein from Arabidopsis thaliana”, Acta Crystallographica, Sec. D, 964-970 (2006). D. Zou, X. Yang, L. Timofejeva, H. Ma, and C. A.
Makaroff, “The Arabidopsis SKP1 Homologue ASK1 Controls
Meiotic Chromosome Remodeling and Release of Chromatin from the Nuclear
Membrane and Nucleolus”, J. Cell Sci., 19, 4025-4032 (2006). Yang, X., Makaroff, C.A., Ma, H. "Characterization of an Unusual Ds Element: Evidence for Insertion by a Circular Intermediate". Plant Mol. Biol. 55:751-763. 2004 Lam, W. S., Yang, X., Makaroff, C.A. " Characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana SMC: Evidence That AtSMC3 May Have Additional Roles Beyond Chromosome Cohesion". J. Cell Science, 118:3037-3048. 2005. Li, W., Yang, X., Lin, Z., Timofejeva L., Xiao, R., Makaroff, C.A., Ma, H. " Normal Meiotic Chromosome Pairing, double Strand DNA Break Repair, and Synapsis Requires the AtRAD51C gene in Arabidopsis". Plant Physiology, 138:965-976. 2005. Marasinghe, G. P. K., Sander,, I.M., Bennett, B., Periyannan, G., Yang, K.-W., Makaroff, C.A., Crowder, M.W. " Structural Studies On A Mitochondrial Glyoxlase II" J. Biol. Chem., 280: 40668-40675. 2005. |
|
This page was last modified on May 30, 2008. |