Visualizing mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase as the target of the immunomodulatory drug Bz-423

Targeting the mitochondrial enzyme FoF1-ATP synthase and modulating its catalytic activities with small molecules is a promising new approach for treatment of autoimmune diseases. The immuno-modulatory compound Bz-423 is such a drug that binds to subunit OSCP of the mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase and induces apoptosis via increased reactive oxygen production in coupled, actively respiring mitochondria. Here we review the experimental progress to reveal the binding of Bz-423 to the mitochondrial target and discuss how subunit rotation of FoF1-ATP synthase is affected by Bz-423. Briefly, we report how F\"orster resonance energy transfer (FRET) can be employed to colocalize the enzyme and the fluorescently tagged Bz-423 within the mitochondria of living cells with nanometer resolution.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

RNA Folding Pathways

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143692/1/cpnc1100.pd

Going forward

No abstract.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/55863/1/20632_ftp.pd

Fatty acid composition of Neurospora plasma membrane

Fatty acid composition of Neurospora plasma membran

Incorporation and degradation of lignoceric acid in cel

Incorporation and degradation of lignoceric acid in ce

36 degree step size of proton-driven c-ring rotation in FoF1-ATP synthase

Synthesis of the biological "energy currency molecule" adenosine triphosphate ATP is accomplished by FoF1-ATP synthase. In the plasma membrane of Escherichia coli, proton-driven rotation of a ring of 10 c subunits in the Fo motor powers catalysis in the F1 motor. While F1 uses 120 degree stepping, Fo models predict a step-by-step rotation of c subunits 36 degree at a time, which is here demonstrated by single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figur

Engineering Disulfide Cross‐Links in RNA Via Air Oxidation

This unit presents protocols for the synthesis of alkylthiol‐modified ribonucleosides, their incorporation into synthetic RNA, and the formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds in RNA by air oxidation. The disulfide bonds can be formed in quantitative yields between thiols positioned in close proximity by virtue of either the secondary or tertiary structure of the RNA. Disulfide cross‐links are useful tools to probe solution structures of RNA, to monitor dynamic motion, to stabilize folded RNAs, and to study the process of tertiary structure folding.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143806/1/cpnc0504.pd