Biochemistry Department Seminars

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Scientific image from Dr. Jeongsik Yong: Truncated mRNAs ---> Truncated Proteins vs. Full-length Proteins

Biochemistry Seminar: Prof. Jonathan Chekan (UNC-Greensboro), "Discovering New Enzyme Chemistry From Across The Tree of Life"

Event Type
Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor
Department of Biochemistry (HOST: Dr. Satish Nair)
Location
Charles G. Miller Auditorium, B102 Chemical and Life Science Laboratory
Date
Mar 8, 2024   12:00 pm  
Speaker
Dr. Jonathan Chekan
Contact
Cara Day
E-Mail
caraday@illinois.edu
Phone
217-333-2013
Views
77


Discovering New Enzyme Chemistry From Across The Tree of Life

Natural products are a critical component of modern medicine and discovery of new molecules and pathways has the opportunity to positively impact human health. Moreover, the enzymes that produce these secondary metabolites often catalyze unprecedented reactions. To uncover new biosynthetic pathways and enzymes, we have combined both bioinformatic and biochemical methodologies to reveal multiple new classes of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) natural products from across the tree of life. In plants we have found a new family of copper-dependent enzymes responsible for side chain crosslinking of peptides, while in bacteria we have discovered an unusual di-domain enzyme that generates an unprecedented prenylated amino acid scaffold. Building upon the RiPP biosynthetic paradigm, we have also engineered new enzymes to specifically target peptide substrates and generate new derivatives. 

 

Recommended Paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202218082

 

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