Research in this competitive PPG renewal, Toxicity of Environmental Chemicals, is focused on understanding the mechanisms of toxicity of selected environmental chemicals and the basic biochemical mechanisms involving the immune system, cellular function, oxidative stress and gene expression that may be altered through adverse effects of environmental chemicals. The overriding theme of this interdisciplinary research PPG is protein-ligand, protein-protein interactions and cellular signaling pathways. This PPG will depend on a combination of experimental strategies involving whole animal models, and biochemical and molecular biological methods; a variety of biophysical methods including mass spectrometry and kinetics to address questions relating to regulation in the immune system and cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix; nitration of proteins by peroxynitrite; and signaling pathways in RA-dependent transcription factors. These studies will specifically focus on: (1) identifying the signaling pathways in T lymphocytes that are altered by TCDD-induced AhR activation leading to T cell dysfunction, (2) determining the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cell adhesion and motility by PDGF, (3) elucidating the mechanisms by which oxidation of proteins by peroxynitrite interferes with protein-protein interactions, (4) investigating the role of GRASP and the tumor suppressor, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), in signaling pathways induced by RA, and (5) elucidating the mechanisms and dynamics involved in RA receptor-mediated gene expression induced by RA, methoprene acid, and other agonists. Experimental approaches to be used include flow cytometry, UV circular dichroism, fluorescence, quench and stopped-flow kinetics, and new techniques developed under the existing PPG (ES00040), including high speed cell sorting, a differential proteolytic sensitivity assay, H/D exchange, and singular value decomposition for analyzing multistate unfolding events at equilibrium. A Mass Spectrometry Core will provide mass spectrometry support for the individual Projects. The 5 highly interdisciplinary Projects will answer significant unresolved questions concerning the effects of specific environmental chemicals on protein-protein interactions and important cellular signaling pathways.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
2P01ES000040-39
Application #
6521597
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1-BKW-A (P4))
Program Officer
Balshaw, David M
Project Start
1997-12-01
Project End
2007-12-31
Budget Start
2003-01-10
Budget End
2003-12-31
Support Year
39
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$998,721
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon State University
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
053599908
City
Corvallis
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97339
Ehrlich, Allison K; Pennington, Jamie M; Tilton, Susan et al. (2017) AhR activation increases IL-2 production by alloreactive CD4+ T cells initiating the differentiation of mucosal-homing Tim3+ Lag3+ Tr1 cells. Eur J Immunol 47:1989-2001
Ehrlich, Allison K; Pennington, Jamie M; Wang, Xisheng et al. (2016) Activation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor by 10-Cl-BBQ Prevents Insulitis and Effector T Cell Development Independently of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells in Nonobese Diabetic Mice. J Immunol 196:264-73
Venkataraman, Anand; Coleman, Daniel J; Nevrivy, Daniel J et al. (2014) Grp1-associated scaffold protein regulates skin homeostasis after ultraviolet irradiation. Photochem Photobiol Sci 13:531-40
Viera, Liliana; Radmilovich, Milka; Vargas, Marcelo R et al. (2013) Temporal patterns of tyrosine nitration in embryo heart development. Free Radic Biol Med 55:101-8
Venkataraman, Anand; Nevrivy, Daniel J; Filtz, Theresa M et al. (2012) Grp1-associated scaffold protein (GRASP) is a regulator of the ADP ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6)-dependent membrane trafficking pathway. Cell Biol Int 36:1115-28
Traber, Maret G; Mustacich, Debbie J; Sullivan, Laura C et al. (2010) Vitamin E status and metabolism in adult and aged aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mice. J Nutr Biochem 21:1193-9
Marshall, Nikki B; Kerkvliet, Nancy I (2010) Dioxin and immune regulation: emerging role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the generation of regulatory T cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1183:25-37
Vassallo, Jeffrey D; Kaetzel, Rhonda S; Born, Stephanie L et al. (2010) Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase null mice fail to develop tolerance to coumarin-induced Clara cell toxicity. Food Chem Toxicol 48:1612-8
Beckman, Joseph S (2009) Understanding peroxynitrite biochemistry and its potential for treating human diseases. Arch Biochem Biophys 484:114-6
Harder, Mark E; Malencik, Dean A; Yan, Xuguang et al. (2009) Equilibrium unfolding of the retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain and characterization of an unfolding intermediate. Biophys Chem 141:1-10

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