Structure and function of plant proteins (2502)

Assoc. prof.dr.sc. Rosemary Vukovic

J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Department of Biology

Learn the structure of selected vegetable proteins, primarily those that are necessary for the implementation of specific biochemical processes in plants. To point out the peculiarities in the structure of some vegetable proteins, related to their function.

Selected representatives of the following groups of protein molecules will be analyzed:
• enzymes involved in the process of photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation, and those integrated into cell membranes when transferring ions and metabolites (transferases, pumps) as well as in the synthesis of energy (ATP-synthase of chloroplasts);
• receptor proteins, e.g. those that detect signals (e.g. light of a certain wavelength) or chemical ingredients such as phytohormones;
• structural proteins that build a cell skeleton (microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments);
• storage proteins in certain plant species, which are also important in the human diet.
Some aspects of protein isolation and characterization, alloenzyms, isoenzyms, and the possibility of using proteins in the analysis of cellular structures and localization of molecules in cells will also be processed.

1. To analyse the basic principle of protein building and the factors that determine their spatial structure.
2. Determine the relationship between the structure and function of a protein molecule especially in specific plant proteins.
3. To compare the connection between protein structure and function and other similar proteins with the aim of gaining insight into molecular evolution .
4. Apply different techniques of isolation and characterization of proteins in your own research.
5. Design a standalone experiment using plant proteomics techniques with the aim of studying the structure and function of specific proteins.
6. Analyze and interpret the protein sequence and structure, and use the information obtained to predict protein function.

Regular attendance (maximum absence of 2h lectures); preparation of independent seminar work on the appropriate topic, and appropriate presentation.

1. Taiz L. and Zeiger E. 2010. Plant Physiology, 5th ed. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, USA.
2. Buchanan B.B., Gruissem W. and Jones R. L. 2015. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants, 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., United Kingdom.
3. Berg J. L., Tymoczko J. L., Stryer L. 2012. Biochemistry, 7th ed. Freeman & Comp., New York.
4. Whitford D. 2005. Proteins, Structure and Function, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England.
5. Lord J.M., Hartley M. R. (eds.). 2010 Toxic Plant Proteins (Plant Cell Monographs 18). Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
6. Yalovsky S., Baluška F. and Jones A. (eds.). 2010. Integrated G proteins signaling in plants (Signaling and communication in plants). Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
7. Chen S. and Harmon A.C. 2006. Advances in plant proteomics. The Proteomics. 6, 5504–5516.

1. Heldt H.W. and Piechulla B. 2011. Plant Biochemistry, 4th ed. Academic Press.
2. Voet D. and Voet J. G. 2011. Biochemistry, 4th ed. J. Wiley & Sons Inc., New York.
3. MacDonald J., KolotilinI. and Menassa R. (eds.). 2016. Recombinant Proteins from Plants – Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology 1385). Humana Press.
4. Cooke D. T., Clarkson D. T. (eds.). 1992. Transport and Receptor Proteins of Plant Membranes - Molecular Structure and Function. Springer USA.

• Discussions with students and colleagues.
• Monitoring each student's progress.
• The success of the course will be evaluated annually by the joint expert committee of the Rudjer Boskovic Institute, the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek.