Chemistry Seminar Series: Professor Jeffrey Atkinson

From antioxidants to radiomitigants: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb

Dr. Jeffrey Atkinson
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Brock University

Thursday, December 6, 2012
MC 4041
2:30 p.m.

Abstract:  The initial steps of apoptosis involve the selective peroxidation of cardiolipin lipid species inside the mitochondrion. This oxidative chemistry is catalyzed by a partially unfolded form of cytochrome c that occurs when cardiolipin membrane asymmetry is lost and cytochrome c complexes with this lipid are formed. Following earlier work with inhibitors of the oxidative metabolism of vitamin E, we have developed a family of heterocycle substituted fatty acids that inhibit cytochrome c peroxidase activity and can protect cells and mice from lethal doses of radiation.