The Biochemistry of Aging
This project was developed to describe the molecular damage that occurs through oxidative stress, a biochemical process of aging. The digital illustrations are based on current and ongoing research by Laureate Professor Roger Smith AM and his team at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. The researchers focus on oxidative stress as a leading cause of stillbirths initiated by the enzyme, aldehyde oxidase.
Enzyme Functionality
The enzyme Human Aldehyde Oxidase is a significant contributor to aging in the placenta. The enzyme works by accepting two electrons from a substrate at its molybdenum cofactor. These two electrons are passed onto two iron/sulphur molecules, giving the electrons to a second cofactor, Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD), at the opposite end of the enzyme. The FAD cofactor then passes the two electrons onto an oxygen molecule forming hydrogen peroxide, a reactive molecule that can cause structural damage to human cells.