Description:

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics presents:

Gerta Hoxhaj, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor 
Children’s Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry 
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 

Presentation:

"REGULATION AND FUNCTION OF NADPH METABOLISM IN CELL GROWTH"

Abstract:

NADPH is the major reducing currency that drives the synthesis of macromolecules and fuels the antioxidant systems to protect cells from oxidative stress. Dysregulation of NADPH metabolism has been linked to many human pathologies, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and aging, yet regulation of this process remains poorly understood. NADPH levels are determined by NAD kinases (NADKs) - metabolite kinases that phosphorylate NAD+ molecules to make NADP+ (oxidized form of NADPH), a limiting substrate for NADPH generation. Human cells encode two NADKs: cytosolic NADK and mitochondrial NADK2, which provide reducing power in each cell compartment. Using NAD kinases as a tool to modulate specific NADPH pools, our research efforts are focused on understanding how cells and organisms control and regulate compartment-specific NADPH metabolism. Our ultimate goal is to exploit vulnerabilities in NADPH metabolism to treat disease.

Hosts: Dr. Issam Ben-Sahra, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Dr. Navdeep S. Chandel, Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics