Genomic dissection of copper metabolism in S. cerevisiae
EMSL Project ID
1966
Abstract
Copper is an essential yet potentially toxic in cells and organisms because. Because copper ions readily gain and lose electrons they are cofactor of enzymes involved in the utilization of oxygen by aerobic organisms, such as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria and superoxide dismutase. This property makes also copper potentially toxic since redox reactions usually generate reactive oxygen species (ROSs). Thus, cells and organisms have developed mechanisms to manage toxicity of copper ions, including regulated transmembrane copper transport, intracellular metal chelators and enzymes that destroy ROS.We are currently investigating copper metabolism in yeast using cDNA microarrays. Our aim is to characterize the gene response to variations in nutritional copper. We are looking at expression profiles in yeast cells exposed to copper deficiency and excess as well as in mutants that are affected in different key enzymes in the copper pathway. For each experiment the metal ions status of the cell is assessed by ICP-ms (Inductive Coupled Plasma mass spectrometry). We would like to broaden the scope of our investigation by looking at the profiles of both the proteins and the metabolites in copper treated cells. By integrating the RNA, proteins, metabolites and metal ions profiles we anticipate to get a complete picture of the metabolic response of yeast cells to copper. Practically we propose to use mass spectrometry to compare protein and metabolite of cells starved in copper and exposed to excess copper respectively to profiles of cells grown in normal conditions. Ideally we would like to identify all proteins and metabolites that are affected by the treatements.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2000-06-12
End Date
2002-02-28
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator