SEMINAR: MBF 602 seminar- Kat Loftus Friday, May 7th, 2010 3:30pm S/A seminar room LAST student seminar of the semester!

[Cary Rios <crios@rsmas.miami.edu>]

Phylogenetic Distribution and Gene _expression_ of Complex I Subunits

 

The oxidative phosphorylation pathway is responsible for the vast majority of ATP synthesized in heterotrophic cells.  The first enzyme, and main entry point for electrons, in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway is Complex I (E.C.: 1.6.5.3).  The enzyme is made of 45 separate protein subunits and is encoded by both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.  Defects in this protein are implicated in 70-80 percent of mitochondrial diseases.  However, most cases (60%) of Complex I deficiencies lack any coding mutations  in Complex I subunit genes.  This indicates that other processes are affecting enzyme function.  To further understand the mechanisms that affect Complex I, I have identified the phylogenetic distribution of Complex I subunit genes among heterotrophic organism across the tree of life.  There is a clear pattern of subunit distribution among bacteria, multicellular organisms and vertebrates: there are core subunits found in all of these heterotrophic, with new subunits added as one ascends the tree of life.  Additionally, there are several duplicated subunits found only in vertebrates. These duplications are good candidates for further investigation of accessory function.  Gene _expression_ patterns among fish, mice and men for Complex I subunits show statistically significant correlations (10-65% of possible) that are both negative and positive.  The number of correlations observed is significant at p < 0.01 based on 1000 permutations of randomly selected genes.  These _expression_ patterns suggest common regulatory mechanisms.  Future work will investigate the _expression_ of Complex I subunits in Fundulus heteroclitus and the phenotypic effects of mRNA _expression_ variation between individuals for Complex I subunit genes.

  

KJ Loftus

B.S. Biology, University of Idaho 2006

Entered MBF Fall 2006

 

Advised by Douglas L. Crawford

Cary Rios 
Graduate Studies Office

University of Miami
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy
S/A 132
Miami, FL 33149
Locator Code: VK
P. 305.421.4920
F. 305.421.4771
http://www.rsmas.miami.edu

crios@rsmas.miami.edu 

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou

On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 10:45 AM, Cary Rios <crios@rsmas.miami.edu> wrote:

Please note time change.

Abstract to follow-

Cary Rios
Graduate Studies Office
University of Miami
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy
S/A 132
Miami, FL 33149
Locator Code: VK
P. 305.421.4920
F. 305.421.4771
http://www.rsmas.miami.edu
crios@rsmas.miami.edu

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou