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A structure-function characterization of the ER membrane protein atlastin
(2012)
The biogenesis and maintenance of the entire endomembrane system is dependent upon membrane fusion proteins. Mounting evidence indicates that the integral membrane GTPase Atlastin is a membrane fusion protein involved in ...
Structural and Functional Studies of the human cohesin subunits Rad21 and SA2
(2012)
The cohesin complex is responsible for the fidelity of chromosomal segregation during mitosis. It consists of four core subunits namely Rad21/Mcd1/Sccl, Smc1, Smc3 and one of the yeast Scc3 orthologs SA1 or SA2. Sister ...
A library approach to single site and combinatorial residue contributions to dimerization of BNIP3-like transmembrane domains
(2012)
A poly-leucine transmembrane domain library was randomized at positions corresponding to contact surfaces for a right-handed crossing of two helices to determine the significance of small residues, GxxxG motifs, and hydrogen ...
Developing Novel Protein-based Materials using Ultrabithorax: Production, Characterization, and Functionalization
(2011)
Compared to 'conventional' materials made from metal, glass, or ceramics, protein-based materials have unique mechanical properties. Furthermore, the morphology, mechanical properties, and functionality of protein-based ...
Experimental evolution of TetX2: Correlating changes in fitness to their structural and functional origins
(2012)
The study of protein evolution and adaptation resides at the junction between the disciplines of biological chemistry and evolutionary biology. We chose the B. thetaiotaomicron tetracycline resistant enzyme TetX2, as our ...
Influence of Peroxisomal Import and Receptor Recycling of Peroxisomal Function
(2011)
Peroxisomes compartmentalize a variety of important metabolic reactions including fatty acid β-oxidation and the related process of IBA β-oxidation. Peroxisomal proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and must be ...
Ligand Diffusion Pathways and Mechanisms for Regulating Oxygen Affinity in Two Model Invertebrate Globins: The E7 Gate and Apolar Tunnel
(2011)
The major pathway for O 2 binding to mammalian myoglobins (Mbs) and hemoglobins (Hbs) involves transient outward movements of the distal histidine (HisE7), which allows ligand migration into the distal portion of the heme ...
Negative Feedback Mechanisms Regulating Neurotransmitter Release at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
(2012)
Homeostasis is an indispensable phenomenon in the maintenance of living organisms. Genetic defects which disrupt negative feedback processes can impact homeostatic regulation, potentially resulting in disease. To uncover ...
Evolutionary fates within a microbial population highlight an essential role for protein folding during natural selection
(2012)
The fitness function developed in this thesis directly links the physicochemical properties of an enzyme to evolutionary fates in a quantitative and predictive manner through a comparative study of empirical and simulated ...
Triterpene biosynthesis in plants: Oxidosqualene cyclization in Arabidopsis thaliana
(2009)
The enzymatic conversion of oxidosqualene to cyclic triterpenes represents the key step in the biosynthesis of more than 20,000 triterpenoids. These compounds are widely distributed in nature among plants, animals, fungi, ...