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Faculty Advisors

Gogonea, Valentin

Description

How does the body fight infection? What causes inflammation? These are only a few questions that have been asked by many doctors across the globe. One thing that is known for certain about infection is that there is a particular sub-group of enzymes called NOS’s (eNOS, nNOS and iNOS) that produce Nitric Oxide (NO), a molecule radical capable of oxidizing proteins and alter their function. In our study we focus on inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS). NOS’s are comprised of oxidase and reductase domains liked by Camodulin (CAM), a polypeptide linker. According to prior studies and SEM photographs, inducible Nitric Oxide’s input and output states were analyzed showing the enzyme as highly malleable molecule virtually creating a shape-shifting enzyme capable of various shapes, however, the internal placement of the oxidase and reductase domain within iNOS is not clearly understood. As a result, the method of transport for NOwas not revealed. This enzyme is responsible for the releasing of NOthroughout the body when activated. NOthen targets sites of infection and as a result, causes inflammation in the effected area. The true question is, what method of transport does iNOS use to safely transfer NO(a protein nitrosylating agent) throughout the body as NOis known to be a highly reactive substance. Our computational research study utilized a protein-protein docking program (PatchDock) and a molecular visualizer (PyMol) in order to gain a digital grasp of the transfer path of the NOmolecule to NO-carrier proteins like S100A9.

Publication Date

2015

College

College of Sciences and Health Professions

Disciplines

Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Student Publication

This item is part of the McNair Scholars Program.

Nitrosylation of S100A8/ A9 protein complex by inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase

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