Dr. Ruletha Baker
Rue graduated in Fall 2006 with her PhD in Chemistry. The title
of her doctoral dissertation was "Roles
of an 'inactive' domain in catalase-peroxidase catalysis: Modulation of
active site architecture and function by gene duplication".
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from
Troy State University in Troy, Alabama. Prior to her joining the
Goodwin laboratory, Rue served as a Research Assistant in the Cancer
Research and Organ Transplantation Research Centers at the University
of Alabama, Birmingham. Rue's project centered on evaluating the
role of the apparently "inactive" C-terminal domain in the function of
catalase-peroxidases. Her work demonstrated that though this
domain carries no active site or apparent activity, its presence is
absolutely essential for catalase-peroxidase function. In
particular, without its C-terminal domain, the N-terminal domain active
site allows the distal histidine (His106) to coordinate directly to the
heme iron. This interupts the ability of His106 to act as a
general base in catalysis and blocks access of hydrogen peroxide and
other ligands to the heme iron. In her time here, Rue was given
an Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics Travel Award,
an Auburn University Graduate Student Travel Award, and an American
Chemical Society, Auburn Section Travel Award. She also served as
the President of the Chemistry Student Association at Auburn.
Abstracts and Publications
Baker, R. D., Cook, C. O., and Goodwin D. C. 2006.
Catalase-peroxidase active site restructuring by a distant and
'inactive' domain. Biochemistry 45, 7113-7121.
Goodwin, D. C., Cook, C. O., Baker, R. D. 2006. Modulation
of catalase-peroxidase active site structure and catalysis by distant
protein structures. American Chemical Society, 231st National
Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.
Cook, C. O., Baker, R., and Goodwin, D. C. 2006. Function
of a gene-duplicated domain in catalase-peroxidase structure and
activity. American Chemical Society, 231st National Meeting,
Atlanta, Georgia.
Baker, R. D., Cook, C. O., and Goodwin D. C. 2004.
Essential contribution of the C-terminal domain to the structure
of the catalase-peroxidase active site. Amer. Chem. Soc.
Southeast Regional Meeting, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Cook, C. O., Baker, R. D., and Goodwin, D. C. 2004.
Catalase-peroxidase active site restructuring by a distant and
"inactive" domain. Amer. Chem. Soc. Southeast Regional Meeting,
Research Triangle Park, NC.
Laband, K. A., Baker, R. D., and Goodwin, D. C. 2004.
Contributions of an interdomain ion pair to the bifunctional
properties of catalase-peroxidases. Amer. Chem. Soc. Southeast
Regional Meeting, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Goodwin, D. C., Baker, R. D., Cook, C. O., and Laband, K. A. 2004.
Integral Involvement of an “Inactive” Domain in
Catalase-Peroxidase Structure and Catalysis. Enzymes,
Coenzymes, and Metabolic Pathways Gordon Conference, Meriden, NH.
Baker, R. D., Cook, C. O., and Goodwin D. C. 2004. Properties of
catalase-peroxidase lacking its C-terminal domain. Biochem.
Biophys. Res. Comm. 320, 833-839.
Baker, R. D., and Goodwin D. C. 2003. Insight into the role
of the C-terminal domain in catalase-peroxidase function. Amer.
Chem. Soc. Southeast Regional Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
Goodwin, D. C., Baker, R. D., Varnado, C. L., and Li, Y. 2003.
Structural requirements for the hemoprotein-dependent
decomposition of hydroperoxides: lessons from the
catalase-peroxidases. Amer. Chem. Soc. Southeast
Regional Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
Baker, R. D., and Goodwin, D. C. 2003. Essential role of
the C-terminal domain in catalase-peroxidase function. Amer.
Chem. Soc. 226th National Meeting, New York, NY.
Goodwin, D. C., Baker, R. D., and Li, Y. 2003. Protein
structural contributions to the unique catalytic properties of
catalase-peroxidases. Amer. Chem. Soc. 226th National Meeting,
New York, NY.
Goodwin, D. C., Baker, R. D., and Li, Y. 2003. Protein
structural contributions to the unique catalytic properties of
catalase-peroxidases. Enzymes, Coenzymes, and Metabolic
Pathways Gordon Conference, Meriden, NH.
Baker, R., Li, Y., and Goodwin D. 2002. Selective
elimination of catalase activity from catalase-peroxidase by deletion
mutagenesis. Am. Chem. Soc. Southeast Regional Meeting,
Charleston, SC.
Goodwin, D. C., Li, Y., Baker, R. D. 2002. Selective
elimination of catalase activity from catalase-peroxidases by deletion
mutagenesis. Enzymes, Coenzymes, and Metabolic Pathways Gordon
Conference, Meriden, NH.