Molecular Biology Commons^™

Insights Into De Novo Fes-Cluster Biogenesis Via The Eukaryotic Fes-Cluster (Isc) Pathway In Vitro, Stephen Paul Dzul

Wayne State University Dissertations

Fe-S clusters are iron-containing cofactors utilized by numerous proteins within several biological pathways essential to life. In eukaryotes, the primary pathway for Fe-S cluster production is the iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) pathway. The eukaryotic ISC pathway, localized primarily within the mitochondria, has been best characterized within Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In yeast, de novo Fe-S cluster formation is accomplished through coordinated assembly of the substrates iron and sulfur on the primary scaffold assembly protein “Isu1”. The sulfur used for cluster assembly is provided by the cysteine desulfurase “Nfs1”, a protein that works in union with its accessory protein “Isd11”. Frataxin “Yfh1” helps direct …

Characterization Of The Yeast Cysteine Desulfurase Complex Within The Mitochondrial Fe-S Cluster Biogenesis, Dulmini Pabasara Barupala

Wayne State University Dissertations

Disrupted iron homeostasis within the human body materializes as various disorders. Pathophysiology of many of them relates to iron induced oxidative damage to key cellular components caused by iron accumulation within the tissues. Pertaining to the growing occurrence, cost of patient care and devastating burden associated with these diseases, the call for understanding the role of iron homeostasis within these disorders becomes inevitable. Being an abundant iron containing cofactor, the role of Fe-S clusters in cellular iron homeostasis is indisputable in the case of Friedreich’s ataxia, a disease caused by a deficiency in the protein frataxin that is indispensable during …

A Protective Role Of Autophagy In A Drosophila Model Of Friedreich's Ataxia (Frda), Luan Wang

Wayne State University Dissertations

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease. It affects 1 in every 50,000 people in central Europe and North America. FRDA is caused by deficiency of Frataxin, an essential mitochondrial iron chaperone protein, and the associated oxidative stress damages. Autophagy, a housekeeping process responsible for the bulk degradation and turnover of long half-life proteins and organelles, is featured by the formation of double-membrane vacuoles and lysosomal degradation. Previous researches indicate that Danon’s disease, the inherited neural disorder disease that shares similar symptoms with FRDA, is due to the malfunction of autophagy. Based on this, we raise the …

Molecular Details Of The Mitochondrial Iron Sulfur Cluster Assembly Pathway, Swati Rawat

Wayne State University Dissertations

MOLECULAR DETAILS OF THE MITOCHONDRIAL IRON SULFUR CLUSTER ASSEMBLY PATHWAY

Iron-sulfur clusters are an important class of prosthetic group involved in electron transfer, enzyme catalysis, and regulation of gene expression. Their biosynthesis requires complex machinery located within the mitochondrion since free iron and sulfide are extremely toxic to the cell. Defects in this pathway results in several diseases such as Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA), Sideroblastic Anemia and ISCU Myopathy. Therefore molecular details of the biogenesis pathway will provide deep insight in the pathway and treatment options for these diseases. FRDA is caused by deficiency of a single protein called as `Frataxin'. …