9307547 Gould The focus of this research is mechanistic and structural studies on a recently recognized class of oxygenase enzymes, hydroquinone epoxidases, that catalyze the four-electron oxidation of a hydroquinone to an epoxyquinone. This novel reaction-type is involved in the biosynthesis of numerous bacterial and fungal metabolites, as well as in the action of vitamin K. The specific aims propose: (1) to harvest larger quantities of the proteins through a sequence involving microsequencing, cloning, and overexpression; (2) to identify the native metal(s); (3) to determine the location of exogenous oxygen by the use of oxygen-18; (4) to probe the latitude of the enzyme active sites in substance acceptance; and (5) to examine the use of modified substrates with the capacity to covalently modify the active sites. %%% With this award, the Synthtic Organic Program is supporting the research of Dr. Steven J. Gould of the Department of Chemistry at Oregon State University. Professor Gould will focus his work on the study of a recently recognized class of enzymes, hydroquinone epoxidases.The project uses a multi-faceted approach that blends synthesis, biosynthesis, enzymology, and molecular genetics in order to better understand which reactions are available in Nature and how they are linked to produce complex structures. ***
