Under specific circumstances, skin cells can change their differentiated state from a skin to a neuronal state. This is observed in several systems, from worms to flies to vertebrates. For example, in the second larval stage of the nematode C.elegans, the differentiated skin cell V5 generates a neuroblast that then produces two mechanoreceptor neurons. The goal of my research proposal is to make use of the amenability of C.elegans to forward genetic screens to identify genes that are required in this skin-to-neuron transformation. I have already established a collection of these types of mutants and have identified a subset of them as phylogenetically conserved transcription factors that may have similar roles in vertebrates.
In Specific Aim #1, I propose to classify the mutants according to phenotype.
In Specific Aim #2, I propose to determine the molecular identity of these mutants and to carry out a preliminary analysis of their function through genetic pathway analysis. Based on the previous proof-of- principle identification of a phylogenetically and functionally conserved transcription factor (lin-32 in C.elegans and its ortholog Atoh1 in mouse), I expect to reveal genes whose vertebrate homologs may have similar functions in skin- to-neuron transitions and that may help us better understand this fascinating biological process.

Public Health Relevance

Under specific circumstances, skin cells can change their differentiated state from a skin to a neuronal state. This is observed in several systems, from worms to flies to vertebrates. Based on the previous proof-of-principle identification of a phylogenetically and functionally conserved transcription factor (lin-32 in C.elegans and its ortholog Atoh1 in mouse), I expect to reveal genes whose vertebrate homologs may have similar functions in skin-to-neuron transitions and that may help us better understand this fascinating biological process!

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31NS074841-01
Application #
8127109
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F03A-F (20))
Program Officer
Riddle, Robert D
Project Start
2011-08-15
Project End
2014-08-14
Budget Start
2011-08-15
Budget End
2012-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$41,800
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Doitsidou, Maria; Minevich, Gregory; Kroll, Jason R et al. (2018) A Caenorhabditis elegans Zinc Finger Transcription Factor, ztf-6, Required for the Specification of a Dopamine Neuron-Producing Lineage. G3 (Bethesda) 8:17-26
Jiang, Yu-Yang; Maier, Wolfgang; Baumeister, Ralf et al. (2017) The Hippo Pathway Maintains the Equatorial Division Plane in the Ciliate Tetrahymena. Genetics 206:873-888
Minevich, Gregory; Park, Danny S; Blankenberg, Daniel et al. (2012) CloudMap: a cloud-based pipeline for analysis of mutant genome sequences. Genetics 192:1249-69