Research Interests

My group is interested in structure-function relationships for biomolecules.  This involves developing an understanding of how structural elements give rise to specific functions like enzymatic catalysis and molecular recognition.  For a number of years, my group has explored restriction enzymes and how they combine DNA sequence recognition with metal ion-mediated hydrolytic chemistry.  More recently we have turned our hands to collaborative projects with synthetic chemists.  One involves the study of esterases, with a particular interest in the diabetes drug target hormone sensitive lipase.  A newer project involves biophysical studies of DNA interactions with polyamides, which show promise as HPV drugs. Over the history of the group, our studies have involved a wide array of techniques including basic molecular biology, enzyme kinetics, computational chemistry, calorimetry, and fluorescence and NMR spectroscopies.  This research style provides excellent opportunities to master a number of biophysical and mechanistic approaches.

Recent Publications

"An integrated look at metallonuclease mechanism". C. M. Dupureur, Curr Chem Biol 2008, 2, in press.

"Roles of metal ions in nucleases". C. M. Dupureur, Curr Opin Chem Biol 2008, 12, 1

"Uncoupling Metallonuclease Metal ion Binding Sites via Nudge Mutagenesis", G. A. Papadakos, H. Nastri, P. Riggs and C. M. Dupureur, J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2007, 12, 557

"Unique, ³¹P spectral response to the formation of a specific restriction enzyme-DNA complex", C. M. Dupureur, Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids, 2006, 25, 747

"NMR Studies of Restriction Enzyme-DNA Interactions:  Role of Conformation in Sequence Specificity," C. M. Dupureur, Biochemistry, 2005, 44, 5065.

"Lanthanide Spectroscopic Studies of the Dinuclear and Mg(II)-Dependent PvuII Restriction Endonuclease," L. M. Bowen, G. Muller, J. P. Riehl, and C. M. Dupureur, Biochemistr , 2004, 43, 15286.

"Binding and Conformational Analysis of Phosphoramidate-Restriction Enzyme Interactions," J. B. King, L. M. Bowen, and C. M. Dupureur, Biochemistry, 2004, 43, 8551.

"Investigation of Restriction Enzyme Cofactor Requirements: A Relationship Between Metal Ion Properties and Sequence Specificity," L. M. Bowen and C. M. Dupureur, Biochemistry, 2003, 42, 12643.

"Multiple Metal Ions Drive DNA Association by PvuII Endonuclease," L. H. Conlan and C. M. Dupureur, Biochemistry, 2002, 41, 14848.

"Dissecting the Metal Ion Dependence of DNA Binding by PvuII Endonuclease," L. H. Conlan and C. M. Dupureur, Biochemistry, 2002, 41, 1335.

"Differential Effects of Isomeric Incorporation of Fluoro-Phenylalanines into PvuII Endonuclease," M. A. Dominguez, K. C. Thornton, M. Melendez, and C. M. Dupureur, Proteins:  Structure, Function, and Genetics, 2001, 45, 55.

"The PD...(D/E)XK Motif In Restriction Enzymes:  A Link Between Function and Conformation," C. M. Dupureur and M. A. Dominguez, Biochemistry, 2001, 40, 387. 

"A Catalytically Deficient Active Site Variant of PvuII Restriction Endonuclease Binds Mg(II) Ions," C. M. Dupureur and L. H. Conlan,  Biochemistry , 2000, 39, 10921.   

"Quantitative Evaluation of Metal Ion Binding to PvuII Endonuclease," T. J. José, L. H. Conlan, and C. M. Dupureur, J. Biol. Inorg. Chem., 1999, 4,  814.  

"Effects of Divalent Metal Ions on the Activity and Conformation of Native and 3-Fluorotyrosine-PvuII Endonucleases," C. M. Dupureur and L. M. Hallman, Eur. J. Biochem. 1999, 261,  261.