University of California, Irvine, Department of Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
The biogenesis of functional mitochondria is essential to the survival of
all eukaryotic cells. Assembly and maintainance of this key organelle
involves the coordinated expression of genes in both the nuclear and
mitochondrial genomes. Mitochondrial gene products of nuclear origin
must also be targeted to mitochondria then sorted to one of four
intramitochondrial compartments. Currently, all of the research in our
laboratory is focused on two aspects of the complex problem of
mitochondrial biogenesis. First, we are defining the regulatory elements
(both cis and trans) that control the expression of a pair of
inversely
regulated nuclear genes specifying mitochondrial proteins (COX5a and
COX5b). This project utilizes the yeast Saccharomyces
cerevisiae, and is designed to exploit the ease and power of molecular and genetic analysis
in this organism. One particular gene of interest, ORD1 (also
referred to as IXR1), encodes a transcription factor involved in the
regulation of COX5b. Importantly, the Ord1 protein has also been
shown to bind to platinated DNA and to confer sensitivity of yeast to the antitumor drug
cisplatin.
Second, we are studying the process of protein import into mitochondria,
with particular emphasis on the inner membrane. We have been, and
continuue to be, involved in analyzing translocation pathways to this
specific mitochondrial compartment. We are currently studying several
topogenic signals that direct proteins to the inner membrane, and are
also characterizing membrane proteins that may facilitate inner membrane
sorting. In summary, our work on the regulation of gene expression, and
on mitochondrial protein import, is designed to use a combined molecular,
genetic, and biochemical approach to elucidate the molecular mechanisms
that underlie fundamental biological processes.
Dr. Cumsky is part of the UCI Graduate Track in
(1) Cell Biology, (2) Developmental Biology, and (3) Gene Expression
within the UCI graduate Program in Molecular
Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry. Applications requests or
additional information about the graduate program may be obtained by
electronic mail at gp-mbgb@uci.edu or by phone at (949) 824-8145.
On-line applications may also be submitted through the Office of
Research and Graduate Studies.
1) Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry
2) Email: gp-mbgb@uci.edu or call (949) 824-8145
3) Graduate Studies Home Page, with links to On-line applications and the
Office of Research and Graduate Studies
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