Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics
Seminar Series
Arathi Krishnakumar, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX
Room 5BC200, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., October 9, 2008
“Understanding protein structure and function;
A crystallographic approach”
Dr. Krishnakumar solved the structure of R-hydroxypropyl coenzyme dehydrogenase, an
enzyme involved in detoxification of alkenes and ketones in the organism Xanthobacter
using X-ray crystallography. The structure, along with the biochemical, mutagenic,
kinetic and mechanistic studies she conducted, provides insight into the stereoselective
mechanism of dehydrogenation in this enzyme, shedding light on the mechanism by
which this interesting organism converts toxic substances into harmless metabolic
intermediates.
Recent Publications
A. Krishnakumar, B.Nocek, D.Clark, S.Ensign, J.Peters, Structural Basis for Stereo
selectivity in the (R) - and(S)-Hydroxypropylthioethanesulfonate Dehydrogenases,
Biochemistry, 45 (29), 8831 -8840, 2006.
Arathi Krishnakumar, Darius Sliwa, James A. Endrizzi, Eric S. Boyd, Scott A. Ensign,
and John W. Peters. Getting a Handle on the Role of Coenzyme M in Alkene Metabolism,
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, September 2008, p. 445-456, Vol. 72, No. 3.
Persons with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact Crystal Perkins at least 24 hours prior
to this seminar so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Department of Physiology: Crystal Perkins
STOP 6551 | 806-743-2519