University of California, Irvine, Department of Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
The elucidation of the covalent structure of a protein is a prerequisite
for the understanding of its biological function. In our group, the
primary structures, post-translational modifications, and
structure-function relationships of several biologically and medically
important proteins are being studied. Fibrinogen is a central protein of
blood coagulation and has a molecular weight of about 340 kDa. The
proteolytic enzyme thrombin converts it into an insoluble form, the
fibrin clot. The diseases related to the blood coagulation system are of
great medical interest, and therefore it is important to understand the
structure-function relationships in fibrinogen. Genetically determined,
dysfunctional variants of fibrinogen can be used as highly specific
probes for these relationships, as each mutation which causes an amino
acid substitution may provide clues about a functional site. So far, the
variants from over 60 families have been structurally elucidated, many of
them by our research group. However, in every person fibrinogen is also
extensively post-translationally modified , and the identification and
functional properties of the corresponding variants are also being
studied in the laboratory. The investigations are relevant for the
understanding of the role of fibrinogen in thrombotic cardiovascular
disease and bleeding disorders. Furthermore, fibrinogen is well-suited as
a model for studying structure-function relationships in a
multi-functional protein, as it interacts in a highly specific way with a
number of proteins, with cell surface receptors, and with certain ions.
Dr. Henschen-Edman is part of the UCI Graduate Track in Structural Biology and
Molecular Biophysics 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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