AIM34 gene function on the mitochondrial metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

• Grant number: 22/16563-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Mario Henrique de Barros
• Grantee: Camila Gasque Bomfim
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project seeks to evaluate the relationship between the product of the nuclear gene AIM34 and essential components of the mitochondrial metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisia. Functional studies indicate that the protein Aim34p is located in the mitochondrion, with probable activity over the stability of mitDNA, and indeed, our team has verified that the excess of Aim34p causes instability in the yeast mitDNA. In this project, through bioinformatics predictions, we have identified the presence of a transit peptide to the organelle and a putative domain related to DNA interaction. To continue the process of functional characterization, we propose the construction of a AIM34 null mutant, genetic interaction analisys, superexpression and intramitochondrial localization assays, with the goal of better describing the function of Aim34p.