NMR based studies of metabolic process
Abstract
Metabonomics, the study of small molecule metabolic profiles, together with proteomic and
transcriptomic information gives a rich picture of the function of living organisms. In order to
understand the function of the multiple enzymes involved in these systems we need massive
quantities of real-time data. This often requires the development of new analysis procedures that
can model interactions of multiple components. The methodology presented here is based on
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) observation of real time variation of metabolites, on new
spectral analysis methods that can deconvolute the signatures of each molecular species, and
network modeling methods that can identify interactions in complex systems. As a model
system, the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase is selected. The role of this enzyme is to activate
acetate to acetyl-coenzyme A (Ac-CoA). The importance of this enzyme is that it provides the
cell a two-carbon metabolite which can be used in energy generation processes and functional
modification of both proteins and carbohydrates.
URI
http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/uga_etd/varatharajan_janani_200912_mshttp://hdl.handle.net/10724/26176