Annual Meeting

‘Keep on doing the steps’

Lydia Smith
March 8, 2023

The allure of scientific discovery has captivated Roshan Kumar since childhood, and he was eager “to study the science books” even in his early school days, he said. But he earned his undergraduate degree with very little experience in the lab — his university didn’t emphasize research, so his skills didn’t progress far beyond how to use a pipette.

“I only had critical knowledge at that time,” he said.

Roshan Kumar
Roshan Kumar

Kumar’s dream was to attend medical school and become a practicing physician. Because he couldn’t do extensive research as an undergraduate, he was unaware of career opportunities in the lab. When a medical school rejected his application, however, he entered a master’s program in an advanced academic setting that included more involved laboratory techniques. He began to realize the endless possibilities that a career in research held for him. He said he experienced personal growth and shifted his goal.

“It doubled my love for science,” he said. “From there onwards, I steered my whole vision toward research.”

During his doctoral studies at the University of Hyderabad in India, Kumar’s research focused on understanding the protein modifications that cause Parkinson’s disease. Some days were fruitless, producing little to no data, he said; other days were full of victory and progress. Throughout, he maintained a consistent mindset.

“There are phases, for sure, where things never work out for you,” he told himself. “But don’t lose hope. Believe in yourself. Keep on doing the steps.”

Kumar now is working toward completing his postdoctoral studies in Ruma Banerjee’s lab at the University of Michigan Medical School, where his goal is to characterize how metabolism regulates intestinal disease. He hopes to pursue a position in academia after he completes his postdoc and will begin his job search next year.

Friend or foe? Hydrogen sulfide’s dual role in metabolism

Hydrogen sulfide, or H2S, is a gas produced by three enzymes in mammalian cells as well as by the gut microbial metabolism. H2S is important for mitochondrial respiration and acts as a signaling molecule at low concentrations. At higher levels, however, H2S can inhibit complex IV in the electron transport chain of the mitochondria, killing the organelle that provides energy to cells.

Roshan Kumar, a postdoc at the University of Michigan, became particularly interested in this characteristic of H2S and its ability to modulate angiogenesis, neuronal processes and cardiovascular functions.

Inspired by his fascination with mitochondria and guided by his training in biochemical research, Kumar began to study the effects of H2S inhibition of respiratory complex IV in mitochondrial metabolism. He specifically was interested in environments with characteristically high levels of the gas due to microbial release, primarily the intestinal epithelia.

Kumar and his colleagues aimed to understand how saturation of electron transport chain complexes counteracts H2S toxicity in such locations. They recently found that H2S can induce glycolysis and inhibit oxidative phosphorylation. They also discovered that mammalian cells reprogram metabolism using sulfide quinone oxidoreductase, an enzyme required for H2S detoxification. This enzyme can establish a redox cycle by causing the reversal of succinate dehydrogenase, or respiratory complex II. This reversal regenerates coenzyme Q, a cofactor required for the clearance of H2S. In this process, fumarate, a citric acid cycle intermediate, acts as a terminal electron acceptor. This mechanism effectively oxidizes H2S and mitigates levels of toxicity.

This finding may help researchers understand certain gut-based conditions including colitis and colorectal cancer. Kumar is interested in pursuing this study by observing how H2S toxicity affects the body when it leaves the intestinal environment.

A redox cycle with complex II prioritizes sulfide quinone oxidoreductase-dependent H2S oxidation” was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry in January 2022. Kumar and other winners of the JBC Tabor Award will give talks during a symposium on Sunday, March 26, at Discover BMB in Seattle.

Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition weekly.

Learn more
Lydia Smith

Lydia Smith has a B.S. in molecular cell biology and a minor in chemistry, which she received from California State University, Long Beach. She is continuing on to receive her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology at the University of Utah and is a volunteer contributor for ASBMB Today. 

Get the latest from ASBMB Today

Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in People

People highlights or most popular articles

Being a whole person outside of work
Hobbies

Being a whole person outside of work

Nov. 1, 2024

Creating art, community service, physical exercise, theater and music — four scientists talk about the activities that bring them joy.

‘We’re thankful for our reviewers’
Journal News

‘We’re thankful for our reviewers’

Oct. 31, 2024

Meet some of the scientists who review manuscripts for the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal of Lipid Research and Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.

In memoriam: Bruce Ames
In Memoriam

In memoriam: Bruce Ames

Oct. 28, 2024

He invented a cheap and easy way to assess mutagenicity that helped identify many environmental and industrial carcinogens; it became known as the Ames test.

Honors for DebBurman, Margaryan and Santiago–Frangos
Member News

Honors for DebBurman, Margaryan and Santiago–Frangos

Oct. 28, 2024

The Council on Undergraduate Research honors Shubhik DebBurman with a mentoring award. Anush Margaryan wins a Projects for Peace grant to teach refugees in Armenia. UPenn names Andrew Santiago–Frangos an endowed assistant professor.

In memoriam: William L. Smith
In Memoriam

In memoriam: William L. Smith

Oct. 21, 2024

He served as associate editor of both the Journal of Biological Chemistry and the Journal of Lipid Research and was an ASBMB member for more than 40 years.

Honors for Fleming, Garcia and Lichtenstein
Member News

Honors for Fleming, Garcia and Lichtenstein

Oct. 21, 2024

Karen Fleming elected president of Biophysical Society. The Eastern Analytical Symposium honors Ben Garcia for achievements in mass spec. Tufts University names Alice Lichtenstein a distinguished professor.