School of Biological Sciences Distinguished Lecture Seminar Series Programme 2019-20: Roles of Oxygenases in Biosynthesis and the Regulation of Gene Expression
Speaker: Professor Chris Schofield, University of Oxford
Oxygenases are involved in the biosynthesis of a range of natural products where they often catalyse synthetically impossible reactions such as occur in beta-lactam biosynthesis. Oxygenases also play important roles in the physiology of humans. In animals the response to limiting oxygen availability is mediated by the hypoxia inducible transcription factor (HIF). Both the levels and activity of HIF are regulated by its post-translational hydroxylation of conserved prolyl and asparaginyl residues. These modifications are catalysed by Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenases which are also involved in nucleasome modifications.
The talk will discuss the biochemical and structural features that enable 2OG oxygenase catalysis in a range of biosynthetic/biological contexts. The lecture will describe evidence that post-translational hydroxylations, including N-demethylations via hydroxylation, are much more widespread that was thought and are likely involved in the regulation of all steps in protein biosynthesis in aerobic organisms. A short introduction to the work of Jeremy Knowles will also be provided.
Venue: Building 29, room 1101 L/T, Highfield Campus
Please contact host Dr Yihua Wang for further details: yihua.wang@soton.ac.uk