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Copper metabolism of Naegleria gruberi
Ženíšková, Kateřina ; Šuťák, Róbert (advisor) ; Pyrih, Jan (referee)
Copper is an important trace element, essential for all organisms. As a cofactor, it takes part in key biochemical reactions. For example, it conveys electron transfer in complex IV in the respiratory chain, functions in detoxification of hydroxyl radicals and participates on import of iron ions into the cell. Homeostasis of copper ions must be strictly regulated, to prevent their accumulation in the organism. Excess of these ions is highly toxic and can lead to cell death. Copper ions take part in reactions leading to creation of hydroxide radicals, a dangerous member of reactive oxygen species, that damages the structure of lipids, proteins and DNA. Many studies also describe the importance of copper ions in virulence, where these ions induce the immune response of the host organism. Effect of availability of copper ions on metabolism was studied on the organism Naegleria gruberi. The sequenced genome of this organism reveals, that metabolic pathways of N. gruberi are very universal. Possible flexibility of metabolism of this organism, in relation with copper ion availability, was confirmed in this work by proteomic analysis and by determining the activities of the respiration chain. Furthermore, the dependence of uptake of iron ions on copper was confirmed. Second part of this work focuses on...
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