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Amadeo Biter
Baylor College of MedicineDepartment: Program in SCBMBAddress: Department of Biochemistry 1 Baylor Plaza, Rm 315B Houston, TX 77030 Phone: (713) 798-8565 Fax: (713) 798-6325 Email: amadeo.biter@bcm.tmc.edu Web: www.bcm.edu/labs/tsai/ |
Education
B.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines (2001)
Mentor: Francis Tsai, D. Phil.
Honors
Professor John J Trentin Scholarship Award, 2004
Welch Predoctoral Fellowship, 2004
Research Topic
Structural and Functional Studies of the Mitochondrial Molecular Chaperone TRAP1
Research Description
The TNF Receptor-Associated Protein 1 (TRAP1) is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone first discovered in a yeast two-hybrid screen against the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor. Analysis of its sequence revealed that TRAP1 shares striking homology with the Hsp90 molecular chaperone. Unlike cytosolic Hsp90, however, TRAP1 bears a functional mitochondrial localization signal at its N-terminus, and does not form complexes with known Hsp90 co-chaperones. Despite advances in our understanding of the structure-function relationship of cytosolic Hsp90s, little is known about mitochondrial TRAP1. For instance, it has been reported that TRAP1 may chaperone the retinoblastoma protein. Moreover, TRAP1 expression is regulated by the protooncogene c-Myc, and is suppressed by apoptotic signals in a manner that depends on reactive oxygen species. I have purified, crystallized and characterized TRAP1 from D. discoideum. The goal of my research is to determine the structure and function of TRAP1.
Selected Publications
Last edited on: October 05, 2006