Combining biophysical and synthetic chemistry to understand the mechanism of respiratory complex I

Dr Maxie Roessler (primary)
School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
QMUL
Dr Chris Jones (secondary)
School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
QMUL

Abstract

Complex I is one of the most important components in the respiratory chain of mitochondria and is a major contributor of reactive oxygen species. As such, complex I dysfunction has been implicated in ageing and shown to account for as much as 1/3 of respiratory chain deficiencies. However, the mechanism of complex I is still poorly understood, so treatments are largely based on trial and error. This project combines biophysical, synthetic chemistry and computational techniques to elucidate the mechanism of the key energy-coupling step in complex I, which could underpin future medical studies and ultimately contribute to healthy ageing.


References

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[2] N. le Breton, J. J. Wright, A. J. Y. J. Jones, E. Salvadori, H. R. Bridges, J. Hirst and M. M. Roessler*; ‘Using EPR Hyperfine Spectroscopy to define the Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Reaction at Fe-S cluster N2 in Respiratory Complex I’. J. Am Chem. Soc., 2017, 139, 16319.
[3] M. M. Roessler*, E. Salvadori*, ‘Principles and applications of EPR spectroscopy in the chemical sciences’, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2018,47, 2534-2553
[4] F. I. M. Idiris, C. E. Majesté, G. B. Craven and C. R. Jones*; Intramolecular hydride transfer onto arynes: redox-neutral and transition metal-free C(sp3)-H functionalization of amines. Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 2873.
[5] P. Trinchera, W. Sun, J. E. Smith, D. Palomas, R. Crespo-Otero and C. R. Jones*; Intermolecular aryne-ene reaction of Hantzsch esters: stable covalent ene adducts from a 1,4-dihydropyridine reaction. Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 4644.
[6] Zard, S. Z.; Radical Reactions in Organic Synthesis, Oxford University Press, 2003.
[7] Gámiz-Hernández, A. P.; Jussupow, A.; Johansson, M. P.; Kaila, V. R. I.*; ‘Terminal Electron−Proton Transfer Dynamics in the Quinone Reduction of Respiratory Complex I’. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 16282.


BBSRC Area
Molecules, cells and industrial biotechnology
Area of Biology
AgeingChemical BiologyStructural Biology
Techniques & Approaches
BiochemistryBiophysicsChemistrySimulation / Modelling