Mitochondria are the major source of cellular energy and are also one of the major sites of defects leading to age-related disorders. In spite of the obvious importance, roughly 1/3 of the proteins found there have no know function. One major goal of the Rutter laboratory is to define the functions of a subset of these proteins, particularly those that are highly evolutionarily conserved across eukaryotic species. We have begun this process and have defined the molecular functions of ten mitochondrial protein families. These have included important factors for OXPHOS complex assembly, mitochondrial quality control, metabolic regulation and others. These discoveries have enabled our laboratory and many others to develop new understanding of normal human physiology and disease pathophysiology, including the discovery of two new human disease genes. The proposed future activities are a combination of continuing our efforts to define the functions of previously unstudied mitochondrial proteins and leveraging our previous discoveries toward a better understanding of mitochondrial biology and its physiological manifestations.

Public Health Relevance

Mitochondria are the major source of cellular energy. They also play a disproportionately large role in the pathophysiology of age-related human disease. The goal of this program of study is to define previously unknown aspects of mitochondrial biochemistry and understand how this affects human physiology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Unknown (R35)
Project #
1R35GM131854-01
Application #
9699791
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Anderson, Vernon
Project Start
2019-04-01
Project End
2024-03-31
Budget Start
2019-04-01
Budget End
2020-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Utah
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009095365
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112