BIOCHEMISTRY

Assigning function to uncharacterized mitochondrial proteins using bioinformatics and biochemistry

Mitochondria — the organelle within cells responsible for energy production — is made up of about 1,000 proteins. As part of his Ph.D. research, Mike Veling of the Pagliarini Lab examined several and found one in particular that supports the formation of an important mitochondrial complex. He found that mutations in this protein are linked to Leigh Syndrome, a genetic disease where the mitochondria do not function properly. Patients with the diseases usually don’t live past 10 years old. The new findings can help doctors better screen for the disease in patients and help researchers better investigate treatments. In the second part of his thesis, Mike studied mitochondrial proteases, discovering a processing event required for coenzyme Q production in yeast.

Learn more about his work at his Thesis Review at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 in Room 1211 of the HFD Biochemical Sciences Building.