Event
Chemical Society Seminar: Lars Konermann - Adventures in Protein Mass Spectrometry: Enzyme Mechanisms, MD Simulations, and Supercharged Ions
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 13:00to14:30
Maass Chemistry Building
Room 10, 801 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3A 0B8, CA
Abstract:
Electrospray mass spectrometry provides detailed insights into protein structures, dynamics, and interactions. This presentation will focus on two research directions that are being pursued in the Konermann laboratory. At the 鈥渇undamental鈥� end of the spectrum, we conduct experiments and molecular dynamics simulations to uncover electrospray mechanisms, for understanding how the transition into the gas phase affects protein structure, and how gaseous ions respond to external perturbations. Our work also has a more 鈥渁pplied鈥� side, where hydrogen exchange techniques are being used to decipher the inner workings of proteins in solution. This presentation will highlight experiments on ATP synthase, the world鈥檚 smallest rotational motor, as well as studies on the relationship between enzyme function and dynamics. We will also discuss recent work on the peroxidase activation mechanism of cytochrome c, an area that is closely related to the mechanism of apoptosis.
Publications:
"Lysine Carbonylation is a Previously Unrecognized Contributor to Peroxidase Activation of Cytochrome c by Chloramine-T" V. Yin, S. Mian, and L. Konermann Chem. Sci. 10, 2349 (2019).
"Evidence for a Partially Stalled 纬 Rotor in F1-ATPase from H/D Exchange Experiments and Molecular Dynamics Simulations" A. Murcia Rios, S. Vahidi, S. D. Dunn, and L. Konermann JACS 140, 14860 (2018).
"Cytochrome c as a Peroxidase: Activation of the Pre-Catalytic Native State by H2O2-Induced Covalent Modifications" V. Yin, G. S. Shaw, and L. Konermann JACS 139, 15701 (2017).
"Calcium-Mediated Control of S100 Proteins: Allosteric Communication via an Agitator/Signal Blocking Mechanism" Y. Xiao, G. S. Shaw, and L. Konermann JACS 139, 11460 (2017).
"Load-dependent destabilization of the g-rotor shaft in FOF1 ATP synthase revealed by H/D-exchange mass spectrometry" S. Vahidi, Y. Bi, S. D. Dunn, and L. Konermann PNAS 113, 2412 (2016).
"Release of Native-Like Gaseous Proteins from Electrospray Droplets via The Charged Residue Mechanism: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations" R. G. McAllister, H. Metwally, Y. Sun, and L. Konermann JACS 137, 12667 (2015).
Bio:
Lars Konermann is Professor of Chemistry at The University of Western Ontario in London, ON, Canada, where he also holds a cross-appointment in the Biochemistry Department. Konermann did his Ph.D. work at the Max-Planck-Institute in Mulheim/Germany (1993-1996). After a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia (1996-1998) he moved to his current position at Western. Research in Konermann's laboratory focuses on biophysical and bioanalytical protein chemistry. Most of his work involves the development and application of new mass spectrometry techniques and computational tools. From 2004 to 2014 he held a Canada Research Chair. His achievements have been recognized through several awards, including the CSC Aroca Award, CSC McBryde Medal, CSC Beamish Award, UWO Bucke Science Prize, ETP Ken Standing Award, and the CSMS Lossing Award. In 2015 Konermann was named Distinguished Research Professor, and in 2018 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC). Konermann is Chair of the Annual Lake Louise Tandem Mass Spectrometry Workshop ().