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PhD Transfer Exam – Artyom Gritsunov (Christendat Lab)
June 13, 2017 @ 1:10 pm - 1:40 pm
PhD Transfer Exam
Tuesday June 13th, 2017 at 1:10 pm – Earth Science Building, Room 3087
Artyom Gritsunov (Christendat Lab)
” Structural analysis, kinetic characterization and in vivo investigation of plant quinate dehydrogenases and chlorogenic acid esterases“
Abstract
The shikimate pathway leads to synthesis of aromatic compounds including lignin, pigments, hormones, and amino acids. Dehydroquinate is an intermediate of the shikimate pathway which can be diverted to other anabolic processes by enzymatic conversion to quinate. In plants, quinate is utilized for biosynthesis of Chlorogenic Acids (CGA). CGAs serve as lignin precursors, antifungal agents, solubility enhancers and UV light protectors. The anabolic aspect of CGA biosynthesis is very well studied, however enzymes involved in the catabolic metabolism of CGAs are poorly characterized. Additionally, the source of quinate remained unknown. To date, we have characterized a family of Quinate Dehydrogenases (QDHs) and identified a family of CGA esterases in a variety of land plants including Solanacea and Brassicaceae species. We hypothesize and aim to test that QDHs in combination with CGA esterases are responsible for regulating the quinate and CGA levels in Solanum species.