Deciphering the Biological Roles of Iron-Sulfur Clusters and Phenazines in DNA Repair, Redox Signaling, and Electron Transfer Processes

Abstract

Redox homeostasis plays an important role in biological systems. Recently, metallocofactors such as iron sulfur (FeS) clusters were found to play key regulators in DNA replication and repair processes. Endonuclease III (EndoIII) contains redox-active [4Fe4S] clusters, but the biological implications of the metallocofactors remain elusive. In this talk, results from microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments, atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies, electroanalytical assays, and biophysical modelling will be presented to elucidate the binding interactions between EndoIII and DNA at the molecular level. The knowledge gained from this redox-signaling study can be applied to the understanding of the critical functions of [4Fe4S] clusters in genome maintenance and cancer prevention. Toward the end of the talk, data from a pilot study to establish the relationship between extracellular phenazines and biofilm formation and growth will be discussed. In summary, redox biochemistry and electron transfer processes in cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) will be explored.