Luca Merono
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The role of th distal iron sulfur cluster
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Abstract
The energy-converting NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, respiratory complex I, plays a major role in cellular energy metabolism. It couples NADH oxidation and quinone reduction with the translocation of protons across the membrane, thus contributing to the protonmotive force. Complex I has an overall L-shaped structure with a peripheral arm catalyzing electron transfer and a membrane arm engaged in proton translocation. Although both reactions are arranged spatially separated, they are tightly coupled by a mechanism that is not fully understood.
Our goal is to elucidate this coupling mechanism by structural and functional analysis methods and understand the nature of proton translocation.
Methods
Molecular biological methods, protein expression and solubilizatio, protein purification, chromatography systems, enzymatic activity assays, cryo-EM structure determination.
