Siavash Kurdistani, MD Professor and Chair Department of Biological Chemistry University of California, Los Angeles

presents, “Histones and Copper: A common thread from eukaryogenesis to human disease”
Hosted by:  Dr. Gabor Egervari
In-person only:  Connor Auditorium (FLTC)

Abstract:

Histones have traditionally been recognized for their roles in packaging eukaryotic DNA and regulating DNA-based activities. However, the presence of ancestral histones in organisms with small genomes, no nucleus, and little ability for epigenetic regulation, suggest that histones might have an additional, unknown function. Inspired by the geochemical events surrounding the appearance of the first eukaryotic cell, we have indeed discovered a novel function for histone H3 as an oxidoreductase enzyme with copper reductase activity, catalyzing reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu¹⁺. I will discuss the importance of this activity and its implications for understanding chromatin structure and function, the origin of eukaryotic cells, and potential links to human diseases.