Assistant Professor, Biochemistry

A.S. 1976, Mesa College
B.S. 1978, Colorado State University
M.S. 1980, University of California, San Diego
Ph.D. 1984, University of California, San Diego
Postdoctoral: 1984-1990, Case Western Reserve University

Email: slweldo@ilstu.edu
Phone: (309)438-3289
Office: 209 Science Laboratory Building

We study two structurally distinct forms of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase found in either the cytosol (PEPCK-C) or mitochondria (PEPCK-M). Although the two forms are 40% nonidentical in amino acid makeup, they are similar in structure and catalysis. Hormones (e.g., glucagon, insulin) and diet influence transcription of the PEPCK-C gene, but not the PEPCK-M gene. We use site-directed mutagenesis of cDNAs for both isozymes in order to determine effects of specific amino acids on catalytic function. We also study the influence of structure on protein and mRNA stability of these PEPCK isozymes. The short half-life and hormonal control of PEPCK-C suggests that there are labile regions in either the mRNA or protein.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

M.A. Jones, T. Kaprak, R. Mugerditchian, J. Koerperick, and S. Weldon, "Videotaping Graduate Student Seminar Presentations," In Chemistry, November/December 2000.

S.L. Weldon and M.A. Jones, "Kinemages as a Visualization Tool for Biochemistry Classes," Biochemical Education 23 (1995) 208-212.

S.L. Weldon and M.A. Jones, "An Interactive Classroom Method to Demonstrate DNA Structure," Journal of College Science Teaching XXIV (1994) 29-31.

Weldon et al., "Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from the chicken: Comparison of the cDNA and protein sequences with the cytosolic isozyme," Journal of Biological Chemistry, 265 (1990) 7308-7317.