Dr. William Dowhan
Regular Member
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Medical School
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research Interests:
- Structure, function and assembly of cell membranes
- Role of lipids in cell function
A combined molecular genetic and biochemical approach is being used to study the structure, function, and biogenesis of biological membranes. Specific roles for phospholipids at the molecular level have been defined for translocation of proteins across membranes, energy transduction processes, cell division, and the folding and topological organization of integral membrane proteins. In eukaryotic cells particular emphasis is being placed on understanding the specific roles of anionic phospholipids in normal mitochondrial function and biogenesis.
A tutorial in this laboratory would provide experience in gene cloning, manipulation and analysis of DNA, genetic techniques used in prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, protein purification, enzyme assays, protein chemistry, and analysis of phospholipids.
Selected Publications:
Zhang M, Mileykovskaya E, Dowhan W (2005) Cardiolipin is essential for organization of complexes III and IV into a supercomplex in intact yeast mitochondria. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 29403-29408.
Su X, Dowhan W (2006) Translational Regulation of Nuclear Gene COX4 Expression by Mitochondrial Content of Phosphatidylglycerol and Cardiolipin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mol. Cell. Biol. 26: 743-753.
Dowhan, W. and Bogdanov, M.: Lipid-dependent membrane protein topogenesis. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 78:515-40 (2009).
Dowhan, W.: Molecular Genetic Approaches to Defining Lipid Function. J. Lipid Res. 50: S305–S310 (2009).
Bogdanov, M., Heacock, P. and Dowhan, W.: Study of polytopic membrane protein topological organization as a function of membrane lipid composition. Meth. Mol. Biol. 619:79-101
Additional Publications
Webpage
Program Affiliations:
Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Contact Information
Phone: 713.500.6051
Email: William.Dowhan@uth.tmc.edu
Office: MSB 6.200
Title: Professor
Education:
Ph.D. - University of California-Berkeley - 1969
