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Honors Program Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry Biochemistry Physical Chemistry
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Research
Preparation of an Expression Vector for Ferrochelatase Carrying the gene for Kanamycin Resistance Jessica Goldstein and James G. Straka
Ferrochelatase is the last enzyme in the biochemical pathway which synthesizes heme. Heme, best known as the oxygen carrying component of hemoglobin, is an absolute requirement in all cells which are exposed to oxygen. Ferrochelatase catalyzes the reaction:  A defect in this enzyme is associated with the genetic disorder protophyria which affects both humans and cattle. It has been observed that in humans with this disorder, which is inherited as a dominant trait, the enzyme activity in tissues is reduced to about 25% of normal; this compares with the 50% reduction predicted in a dominant disorder. One explanation, substantiated by studies of the enzyme's functional molecular size, is that the enzyme functions as a dimeric structure. The current research attempts to produce a recombinant gene for the expression of ferrocholatase which also carries the gene for kanamycin resistance. Once obtained, this gene can be carried and co-expressed with abnormal forms of the ferrochelatase gene which are currently available in vectors carrying ampicilin resistance. It is hoped that the availability of this new recombinant will provide additional information as to the mechanism by which this important enzyme functions. |
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