CHRISTOPHER HALKIDES, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Our project is a collaborative effort between the Matsumura lab and the Dahlquist lab to determine the structure of the phosphorylated form of CheY by NMR. CheY is the most well known member of a family of two-component regulatory systems. In its active form, it interacts with the flagellar motor to produce tumbling. It is activated by being phosphorylated at Asp 57, and the acyl phosphate is hydrolyzed to return CheY to the inactive form. The half-life of phosphorylation is about 30 s.

We have put CheY into a steady-state of phosphorylation using small molecule phospho-donors. NMR has shown that the conformational changes between active and inactive CheY are extensive. We are examining ways to slow down the rate of dephosphorylation. We are also trying to make stable analogs of the phospho-form. Finally, we are studying mutants of CheY to learn which parts of the conformational change are essential for signalling.

Curriculum vita -- Select this option to see Dr. Halkides' curriculum vita.

Publication list -- Select this option to see Dr. Halkides' publication list.

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