Robert P. Hausinger
Research Interests
My laboratory explores specific
aspects of microbial physiology and enzymology related to transition metals.
For example, we study mechanisms of catalysis by metalloenzymes and characterize
the pathways for biosynthesis of protein metallocenters. We use an array
of experimental techniques and approaches that ranges from gene cloning
to enzyme kinetics, from site-directed mutagenesis to metal ion binding
assays, and from active site peptide studies to biophysical spectroscopic
methods.
One research focus in my lab centers on the nickel-dependent process of
ureolysis catalyzed by the enzyme urease. We cloned the urease operon from
Klebsiella aerogenes and can overexpress the genes such that 10%
of the cellular protein is urease. The three-dimensional structure of this
enzyme was determined by crystallographic methods and the dinuclear Ni center
has been probed by a variety of spectroscopic methods. We are currently
using site-directed mutagenesis methods to elucidate the catalytic mechanism
of this enzyme. MORE
Recent Publications
Müller, T. A., M. M. Andrzejak, and R. P. Hausinger. 2013. A covalent protein-DNA 5’-product adduct is generated following AP-lyase activity of human AlkB homolog 1 (ALKBH1). Biochem. J. (in press).
Farrugia, M. A., L. Macomber, and R. P. Hausinger. 2013. Biosynthesis of the urease metallocenter. J. Biol. Chem. 288:13178-13185.
Masukawa H, Kitashima M, Inoue K, Sakurai H, Hausinger RP. 2012. Genetic engineering of cyanobacteria to enhance biohydrogen production from sunlight and water. AMBIO 41:169-173.
Simmons JM, Koslowsky DJ, Hausinger RP. 2012. Characterization of a Trypanosoma brucei Alkb homolog capable of repairing alkylated DNA. Exp Parasitol. 131(1):92-100.
Boer JL, Hausinger RP. 2012. Klebsiella aerogenes UreF: identification of the UreG binding site and role in enhancing the fidelity of urease activation. Biochemistry. 20;51(11):2298-308.
Carter EL, Proshlyakov DA, Hausinger RP. 2012. Apoprotein isolation and activation, and vibrational structure of the Helicobacter mustelae iron urease. J Inorg Biochem. 11:195-202.
Carter EL, Boer JL, Farrugia MA, Flugga N, Towns CL, Hausinger RP. 2011. Function of UreB in Klebsiella aerogenes urease. Biochemistry. 50(43):9296-308.
L Macomber, SP Elsey, RP Hausinger. 2011. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (class II) is the primary site of nickel toxicity in Escherichia coli. Molecular Microbiology 82: 1291-1300.
EL Carter, DE Tronrud, SR Taber, PA Karplus, and RP Hausinger. 2011. Iron-containing urease in a pathogenic bacterium. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 108:13095-13099.
SB Mulrooney, MJ Howard, and RP Hausinger. 2011. The Escherichia coli alkylation response protein AidB is a redox partner of flavodoxin and binds RNA and acyl carrier protein. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 513:81-86.
L Macomber and RP Hausinger. 2011. Mechanisms of nickel toxicity in microorganisms. Metallomics 3(11):1153-62.
