# Probing the potential role of the Rieske protein in superoxide formation in Complex III

> **NIH NIH R15** · TRINITY UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $373,731

## Abstract

Abstract
Reactive Oxygen Species include molecules such as superoxide, peroxide and hydroxyl
radicals. High levels of these molecules have been shown to lead to diseases such as heart
disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The proposal aims to determine if the
reduction potential of the Rieske protein in Complex III can be a source of superoxide when the
reduction potential is not matched its redox partner. In order to study this hypothesis, a yeast
system where mutations can be made to Rieske has been produced, and a series of mutant
yeast strains have been made. The production of superoxide will be measured using confocal
microscopy and its effect on the yeast ascertained through growth assays. In addition, the
reduction potential of the isolated yeast Rieske protein will be measured. The protein will also
be thoroughly characterized, adding a new system that has not been explored previously to the
literature.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10874940
- **Project number:** 1R15GM154241-01
- **Recipient organization:** TRINITY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Hunsicker-Wang
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $373,731
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10874940

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10874940, Probing the potential role of the Rieske protein in superoxide formation in Complex III (1R15GM154241-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10874940. Licensed CC0.

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