Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology | Open Access Articles

Mitochondrial Metal Homeostasis: A Look Into Iron And Copper Mobilization Within Mitochondria, Jonathan Dietz

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cellular iron and copper homeostasis is interdependent with mitochondrial iron and copper homeostasis. Mitochondria must import iron to form iron-sulfur clusters and heme, while it must import copper for usage and storage. These cofactors are incorporated into mitochondrial proteins that support essential functions, including cellular respiration and maintaining redox homeostasis. In turn, mitochondria also provide heme to the cell and enables the biogenesis of cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster containing proteins, while also providing copper when needed. Due to both metals (and their modified species) reactivity, iron and copper are stored and trafficked within the mitochondria carefully. Although these cofactors are crucial …

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Mitochondrial Contact Site And Cristae Organizing System (Micos) Machinery Supports Heme Biosynthesis By Enabling Optimal Performance Of Ferrochelatase, Jonathan V. Dietz, Mathilda M. Willoughby, Robert B. Piel, Teresa A. Ross, Iryna Bohovych, Hannah G. Addis, Jennifer L. Fox, William N. Lanzilotta, Harry A. Dailey, James A. Wohlschlegel, Amit R. Reddi, Amy E. Medlock, Oleh Khalimonchuk

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Heme is an essential cofactor required for a plethora of cellular processes in eukaryotes. In metazoans the heme biosynthetic pathway is typically partitioned between the cytosol and mitochondria, with the first and final steps taking place in the mitochondrion. The pathway has been extensively studied and its biosynthetic enzymes structurally characterized to varying extents. Nevertheless, understanding of the regulation of heme synthesis and factors that influence this process in metazoans remains incomplete. Therefore, we investigated the molecular organization as well as the physical and genetic interactions of the terminal pathway enzyme, ferrochelatase (Hem15), in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biochemical and …

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Using Crispr-Cas9 To Construct Knockout Mutants In Dna-Repair Genes In Arabidopsis Thaliana, David Campbell

Honors Theses

The mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, and just like a real powerhouse, it can be a dangerous place to store sensitive information. Energy generation and redox reactions in the mitochondria can cause damage to the DNA stored there, resulting in a higher mutation rate. Compared to their animal counterparts, however, plant mitochondria exhibit a lower mutation rate and a higher recombination rate. It is hypothesized that the unique DNA repair methods present in plant mitochondria are responsible for the phenomena observed there. To study the mechanics of DNA-repair in this organelle, however, researchers must be able …

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Full-Text Articles in Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

Mitochondrial Metal Homeostasis: A Look Into Iron And Copper Mobilization Within Mitochondria, Jonathan Dietz

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Using Crispr-Cas9 To Construct Knockout Mutants In Dna-Repair Genes In Arabidopsis Thaliana, David Campbell

Honors Theses