Edward Bellion

Biochemistry
Professor, Associate Chair

Phone:
(817) 272-3802

FAX:
 (817) 272-3808

E-Mail: bellion@uta.edu

Links to Course
Web Pages:
CHEM 4312

Education:

B.Sc. University of Leeds, England (1965)

Ph.D. University of Leeds, England (1968)

Postdoctoral Fellow:
University of Minnesota (1968-70)

Biochemistry of Methylotrophic Metabolism

Research in this laboratory is concerned with the biochemistry of microorganisms that are capable of growth on one-carbon compounds. Previous work has led to elucidation of carbon and nitrogen assimilation pathways and the characterization of several enzymes. Recent work has utilized the in vivo NMR technique to follow metabolism in whole cells, and led to the finding that methylotropic yeast convert C1 compounds to trehalose, a storage and protective disaccharide. Specific current projects include the following:

1. Structure and Regulation of Carbon Assimilatory Enzymes

The gene for isocitrate lyase has been cloned, and sequencing is in progress. We will examine the possibility that this enzyme is regulated by covalent modification and this will be done using enzyme radiolabelling, antibody identification and mass spectrometry. The genes for malate thiokinase and malyl CoA lyase, two other key assimilatory enzymes, will also be cloned, sequenced and studied.

2. Assimilation of Nitrogen

Many methylotrophic bacteria are capable of reducing nitrate for assimilatory purposes. Recent work in this laboratory has shown that nitrate reductase is present in cells during growth on nitrate but also there are high levels found in other growth conditions. We are currently studying this phenomenon, and will purify and compare these nitrate reductases and study their regulation.

3. Trehalose Synthesis

Methylotrophic yeast and bacteria produce trehalose from methanol and methylamine. Studies are underway to isolate and characterize the enzymes involved in this biosynthetic pathway. Additionally, the process in bacteria will be studied using in vivo NMR and ¹³C-enriched substrates.

Representative Publications:

Bellion, Edward. "Nitrogen Assimilation in Methylamine-Utilizing Bacteria," Microbial Growth on C1-Compounds  1984, 4, 170.

Bellion, Edward; Tan, F. "NAD-Dependent Alanine Dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. Strain MA,"  Biochem. J.  1987, 244, 565.

Bellion, Edward; Goodman, J.M. "Proton Ionophores Prevent Assembly of a Peroxisomal Protein," Cell 1987, 48, 165.

Whitney, A.B.; Bellion, Edward. "ATPase Activities in Peroxisome-proliferating Yeast," Biochim. Biophys. Acta  1991, 1058, 345-355.

Jones, J.G.; Bellion, Edward. "In vivo ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-NMR Studies of Methylamine Metabolism in Pseudomonas sp. Strain MA,"  J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 266, 11705-11713.

Jones, J.G.; Bellion, Edward. "Methylamine Metabolism in Hansenula polyorpha: An in vivo ¹³C-NMR and ³¹P-NMR Study," J. Bacteriol. 1991, 173, 4959-4969.

Bellion, Edward; Jones, J.G. "Methylamine Utilization in Yeast and Bacteria: Studies Using in vivo NMR," Microbial Growth on C1-Compounds 1993, 7, 143-152.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas 76019-0065, USA

Phone:  (817) 272-3171

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