Biochemistry
Faculty
Caroline Breitenberger
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Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the College of Biological Sciences
Phone: 614-292-1704
Fax: 614-292-6773.
email: breitenberger.1@osu.edu
Webpage: None |
Research Interests:
The energy-producing organelles of eukaryotic cells, chloroplasts and
mitochondria possess a circular DNA and the necessary apparatus for
replication of this DNA and for transcription and translation of the
genes it encodes. Photosynthetic eukaryotes are unique in their ability
to assemble both types of subcellular organelle within the same cell.
In my laboratory, we are studying two specific aspects of organellar
biogenesis in green plants: a) the regulation of expression of nuclear
genes encoding chloroplast and mitochondrial protein synthesis factors,
and b) the mechanisms by which cytoplasmically synthesized proteins
are differentially targeted to chloroplasts and mitochondria.
We are also studying structure-function relationships in protein synthesis
factor EF-G. This protein catalyzes the translocation step of the elongation
cycle of protein synthesis in bacteria and eukaryotic organelles, and
is a member of the superfarnily of GTPases. Other members of the GTPase
superfarnily have been implicated in a wide variety of cellular functions,
including signal transduction, protein secretion, and control of developmental
pathways. We are using site-directed and random mutagenesis to identify
amino acids that are required for EF-G activity, hoping to better understand
its mechanism of action.
Selected publications:
B. Chen, A.R. Kubelik, S. Mohr and C.A. Breitenberger (1996) Cloning
and characterization of the Neurospora crassa cyt-5 gene: A nuclear-codedmitochondrial
RNA polymerase with a poly- glutamine repeat J. Biol. Chem. 271: 6537-6544.
P.L. Welcsh, D.R. Johnson, Y. Zhang and C.A. Breitenberger (1994)
Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 fusB gene, located outside of the str operon,
encodes a polypeptide related to protein synthesis factor EF-G. Plant
Mol. Biol. 25, 735-738.
M.S. Akkaya, P.L. Welcsh, M.A. Wolfe, B.K. Duerr, W.J. Becktel and
C.A. Breitenberger (1994) Purification and N-terminal sequence analysis
of pea chloroplast protein synthesis factor EF-G. Arch. Biochem. Biophys.
308, 109-117.
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