Murburn Concept - REDOx Research
REDOx (Redox Enzymology & Diffusible species mediated Oxidations): The 'structure-function correlation, mechanism and dynamics and overall phenomenology of redox enzymes' is the thrust area of our research.
From daily experience, we know that several machines use chemical energy for doing work. For example- a car's engine is capable of doing the work of transportation. This is enabled through the combustion of fuel, which is a redox reaction. 'Redox' (a fusion of the words- reduction and oxidation) chemistry is the study of those types of reactions in which an atom, molecule, ion or radical gains (reduction) or loses (oxidation) electron(s). When there are two reactants, then one party gets oxidized and the other party gets reduced.Therefore, redox reactions are the simplest of reactions in which electrons are given and taken (or transferred) between reactants. In some redox reactions, transfer of electrons may also be associated with concomitant attachment or movement of some atom/moiety (like O or H atoms, hydroxyl groups etc.).
Redox processes provide the vital electromagnetic force (the potential to do work, chemical energy) needed for the molecular sustenance of life. (The other forms of forces- gravitational and nuclear, cannot be harnessed at molecular levels!) From the generation of energy-rich currency molecules (that could be cashed for any physical activity) to the building and maintenance of cell and body parts, redox processes form the mainstay of life. We indulge in experimental and exploratory research to understand such reactions. First, we simulate these reactions under minimalist conditions in vitro and then, we extrapolate/understand their prospects in the complex in vivo scenarios. Particularly, we focus on the redox reactions involved in drug oxidations, metabolic routines, physiological cascades, ecobiology and green chemistry that are centered on the two protagonists (besides other players like Cu proteins, Fe-S proteins, etc.)-
Hemoproteins
A metallo-prosthetic group, as the tetrapyrrole derivative ferritoporphyrin IX shown above, is found in one of the most versatile class of redox enzymes.
Flavoproteins
An organic molecule derived from pteridine, various substituted flavins are found as coenzymes in yet another class of ubiquitous redox enzymes.
Through two decades' focused research, a new stochastic redox reaction paradigm called "murburn concept" has been formulated (as shown in the image above). The term murburn has been abstracted from "mured burning", implying a closed or confined oxidative process. The idea encompasses the full set of events that involve diffusible reactive species (or DRS: free electrons, radicals, other reactive small molecules) and affect/involve the cellular machinery. Proteins that work via such modalities are called 'murzymes' and such a catalysis is termed 'murcat' (wherein mur stands for interactive equilibriums between molecules, unbound ions and reactive species/radicals). Murburn concept is a paradigm-shift idea in biology/medicine, advocating that DRS are obligatorily involved in the maintenance of routine order in cellular processes, and they should not be seen merely as pathological manifestations. This change in perception explains the utility of molecular oxygen to diverse metabolic and physiological routines of life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murburn_concept
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4AzYJ5S26Q
Under the murburn purview, in the macroscopic perspective, cells can perform useful work because of redox reactions initiated by "effective charge separation" (ECS), which enables them to work as "simple chemical engines". This perception affords the comparison of cellular functioning with a basic combustion engine, hearth, spontaneous nuclear reactor or rocket (all of which may be non-complex and capable of chanced auto-assembly).
The formulation and dissemination of murburn concept via Satyamjayatu's publications have significantly impacted the perceptions in the following fields-
A. Hemeperoxidase mediated formation of halogenated organics and recycling of lignocellulosics in environment .
B. CYPs (cytochrome P450) mediated liver microsomal xenobiotic metabolism (mXM).
C. Maverick physiological dose responses (hormesis and idiosyncracies).
D. Respiratory complexes mediated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and redox homeostasis (mOxPhos).
E. Uncoupling protein (UCP) mediated thermogenesis in mitochondrial system.
F. The light reaction of photosynthesis.
G. The physiology of phototransduction and vision.
H. Cellular bulk and interfacial ionic homeostasis.
I. Electrophysiology: trans-membrane ion-differentiation, action potential and neuronal impulse relay.
J. Erythrocyte functioning and respiratory physiology.
K. Lactic acid metabolism (Cori cycle & Warburg effect).
L. Bacterial flagella aided movement.
M. Origin and evolution of life.
N. Synthesis of diverse theories concerning poweringh, coherence, homeostasis, electro-mechanics and sensing-response (PCHEMS) with grounding in physical chemistry
And the quest goes on to explain more ecological, metabolic and physiological phenomena!
(Last updated in the first week of September 2021.)