One of our research focuses is to determine the mechanism of Lon protease.
Lon is a serine protease.
The proteolytic activity is activated by ATP binding and hydrolysis.
The ATPase activity of Lon maybe used to deliver the polypeptide substrate to the
protease site.
We employ kinetic techniques to probe the function of ATP binding and hydrolysis
during peptide degradation.
We are currently studying E. coli, Salmonella and human Lon.
Human Lon’s function is important for removing oxidatively damaged proteins in
Mitochondria.
Salmonella Lon is important for pathogenicity.
