Electronic transport mediated by proteins belonging to the cytochrome b561 family

Cytochromes b561 (Cyt b561) form a wide-spread family of eukaryotic membrane proteins that mediate the transfer of electrons, thanks to the presence of ascorbate, through the cell membranes of both animals and plants. These proteins are implicated in a variety of physiological functions in animals, including the synthesis of catecholamine in chromaffin vesicles, the influence of heart rate through modulation of the adrenergic pathway and the absorption of extracellular iron. In plants they are also involved in iron homeostasis and are largely responsible for the oxidation-reduction activity of the plant. Our group is involved in characterizing the activity of some cytochromes present on the membrane of animal and plant cells.

Members:
Antonella Gradogna
Cristiana Picco (Principal investigator)
Joachim Scholz - Starke