De Novo Heme Protein Design

"We have developed an interesting hypothesis for Olfactory Receptor (OR) mechanism. We are so sensitive to thiols and amines that the most natural way to explain this is that OR is a metalloprotein. We have found a consensus sequence ""HXXCE"" in the 4--5 loop of ORs, which not only binds strongly to Cu2+ and Zn2+, but also turns alpha helical after metal binding. Since the 4--5 loop is as hydrophobic as the fourth helix of OR, charge neutralization of metal ion increases its hydrophobicity, thus it might turn into transmembrane helix and replace the fourth helix. Endogenous ligand binding to the metal site might disturb the charge balance and triggers helix motion, which results in a cell signaling cascade, and eventually the sense of smell."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Wang, Jiangyun

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kenneth S. Suslick

• Chemistry, Biochemistry

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3101990

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/84121