Sulfite- and nitrite-dependent regulation of mitochondrial function by sulfite oxidase (B08)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 269925409

Sulfite oxidase (SOX) is a molybdenum enzyme in the intermembrane space of mitochondria, which catalyses the terminal step in oxidative cysteine catabolism. A loss in SOX function results in severe neurodegeneration, due to cytotoxicity of accumulating sulfite, S-sulfocysteine and H2S leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we aim to understand the molecular mechanism of sulfite-mediated redox changes and H2S release as well as S-sulfocysteine-induced calcium influx on mitochondrial functions in SOX deficiency. Furthermore, we will investigate the mitochondrial function of SOX in nitrite-dependent NO-synthesis.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1218: Mitochondrial regulation of cellular function
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Günter Schwarz