Copper and Zinc containing superoxide dismutase (SOD1) plays a critical role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and the resulting cellular damage is linked to several human diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological degradation. For proper activity, SOD1 requires several post-translational modifications including zinc binding, insertion of the catalytic copper, and the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond. However, dominate, toxic gain of function mutations in SOD1 can lead to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrigs disease. While the underlying mechanism is still unclear, an emerging theme involves the misfolding and aggregation of SOD1 mutants. Metal binding and disulfide formation stabilize SOD1 and decrease aggregation. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathways of SOD1 maturation is relevant to human health. SOD1 maturation occurs through two pathways, a pathway dependent on the copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS) and a second pathway independent of CCS. The molecular determinants and factors involved in the CCS independent pathway are relatively unknown. We hypothesize that the CCS independent pathway requires a SOD1 substrate with a high propensity of disulfide oxidation and specific cellular factors to deliver the catalytic copper. We will test this by:
Aim 1 - To understand the role of the SOD1 disulfide in choice of copper activation pathways. We will use a combination of biochemical and yeast genetic techniques to test the role of the disulfide. We will measure the disulfide reduction potential of SOD1s that are CCS dependent, independent, or capable of using both pathways. We will also look at the role of molecular oxygen in CCS independent SOD1activation and disulfide bond oxidation. And, we will identify specific amino-acids of the SOD1 polypeptide that regulate activation pathway preference and disulfide oxidation propensity.
Aim 2 - Determine genes required for CCS independent activation. We will screen for mutli-copy suppressors of a ccs??yeast strain by high throughput microarray analysis to identify genes involved in either copper delivery to SOD1 or genes involved in SOD1 disulfide oxidation. These studies will shed new light into the biology of SOD1 maturation with important implications to disease. Reactive oxygen causes cellular damage leading diseases such as cancer. This research proposal exploits the simple organism, bakers yeast, to understand the mechanisms of cellular defense to reactive oxygen.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32GM087904-01
Application #
7674366
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F05-K (21))
Program Officer
Bender, Michael T
Project Start
2009-03-21
Project End
2010-09-01
Budget Start
2009-03-21
Budget End
2010-03-20
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$47,210
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Leitch, Jeffry M; Li, Cissy X; Baron, J Allen et al. (2012) Post-translational modification of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase under anaerobic conditions. Biochemistry 51:677-85
Leitch, Jeffry M; Yick, Priscilla J; Culotta, Valeria C (2009) The right to choose: multiple pathways for activating copper,zinc superoxide dismutase. J Biol Chem 284:24679-83
Leitch, Jeffry M; Jensen, Laran T; Bouldin, Samantha D et al. (2009) Activation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in the absence of oxygen and the copper chaperone CCS. J Biol Chem 284:21863-71