Cynthia Stauffacher
Professor

AFFILIATIONS: Biological Sciences
OFFICE: HOCK 327
LAB: xxx
PHONE: 765-494-4937
EMAIL: cstauffa@purdue.edu

Research

My lab applies x-ray crystallography and molecular biology to systems where proteins work together in membranes to perform a biological function. Cholesterol production in humans begins with the activity of the membrane-associated enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase. We determined the structure of a bacterial analogue of this enzyme. Insights into the mechanisms of activation and inhibition have been gained by also determining the structure in the presence of substrates and the cholesterol-lowering drug Lovastatin, and lead to the possibility for design of new drugs to lower cholesterol.

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