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Analysis of the structure and function of LhaA the assembly factor for biogenesis of bacterial photosynthetic membranes

Reference	BB/C503211/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Krebs Professor of B Christopher Hunter
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor J Tucker
Institution	University of Sheffield
Department	Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	222,374
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/09/2004
End date	29/02/2008
Duration	42 months

Abstract

We now know the structures of most of the major energy transducing complexes in biology to atomic resolution, but little of how these biologically essential complexes are assembled in the membrane. Nevertheless, we have identified the membrane-bound assembly factor, LhaA, for the bacterial RC-LH1 complex, following a genetic knockout that specifically abolishes biosynthesis of this complex. We have cloned, overexpressed and tagged this assembly factor and have succeeded in overproducing this protein in sufficient quantities for crystallographic studies. Moreover we have shown that LhaA copurifies with its cognate complex, LH1, and have obtained preliminary AFM topographs of LhaA. The proposed project will develop and exploit in vitro and in vivo assays of LhaA function, and will investigate the structure of LhaA using a combination of atomic force and electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography. The subcellular membrane regions that house LhaA will be characterised and we will map the location of LhaA with respect to the rest of the major membrane components such as RC, LH1, and cytochrome bc1 complexes.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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