Mitochondrial Biology Lab

Dept of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Media reports

What we do

Understanding how proteins accurately fold into three-dimensional structures in the cell is a central problem in modern biology. After ribosomal synthesis, the nascent polypeptides must actively fold into their native conformations to function correctly within the cell. Protein misfolding leads to cellular accumulation of incorrectly folded proteins, which is the cause of many diseases, including Alzheimer's, Huntington, Prion diseases, and Cancer. Ordered protein folding in the cramped cellular chaos is only possible under the supervision of specialized proteins, collectively referred to as 'Molecular Chaperones', which belong to Hsp70 and Hsp40/J-class. These highly conserved groups of proteins recognize and stabilize partially folded intermediates of proteins during cellular processes such as protein translation, transport across organellar membranes, folding, and degradation, as well as facilitating the refolding of proteins damaged after exposure of cells to stress.

Our research aims to understand the intricate functional network of Hsp70 and Hsp40/J-class in the cytosol and different cell organelles. By utilizing yeast and mammalian model systems, my lab will investigate the cellular functions of molecular chaperones using a combination of experimental tools from genetics and cell biology with biochemistry and biophysics. We will address molecular chaperones' role(s) in following different physiological functions.

-PDS Lab.

Recent Publication

Research Area

  • Protein Translocation & Mitochondria Biogenesis.

    Mitochondria biogenesis requires importing and folding hundreds of proteins synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes. The main focus is understanding the fundamental aspects of protein trafficking pathways into the mitochondrial sub-compartments via the mitochondrial Presequence translocase and Carrier translocases.

  • Protein Folding in Cell: Mechanism and Regulation.

    Successful folding of newly translated proteins is mediated by a highly organized chaperone machinery, namely the Hsp70, Hsp40/J-proteins, and the chaperonin, TRiC, which prevents aggregation and assists in proper folding to their native conformations. Our primary focus is to uncover chaperone-mediated protein folding mechanisms in cells under diverse physiological conditions.

  • Iron-Sulphur Cluster Biogenesis.

    Fe/S clusters are a vital moiety of proteins involved in a diverse cellular process. An essential function of mitochondria is the biogenesis of Fe/S clusters, as Fe/S cluster-containing proteins perform critical roles in cells, including electron transfer in oxidative phosphorylation. Our primary focus is investigating how Fe/S clusters are synthesized and subsequently incorporated into proteins in different disease model systems.

  • Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Health and Diseases.

    The involvement of chaperones in diverse cellular functions suggests novel therapeutic approaches by targeting heat-shock protein function for a broad spectrum of tumor types, various pathogenic disease states, and protein-conformational diseases.

  • Redox Biology and Nanomaterial Therapeutics.

    Cellular redox homeostasis is critically maintained by the equilibrium between ROS production and its removal through the involvement of well-defined antioxidant machinery. The association of ROS is well-known in several pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration, cancer progression, type two diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis. The future study also aims to formulate potent biocompatible nanoparticles that can scavenge elevated ROS under pathological conditions.