This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.All organisms must be capable of responding rapidly and specifically to a variety of internal and external stressors, such as sudden changes in temperature, nutrient starvation, DNA damaging agents, or the presence of heavy metals or other environmental contaminants. Even elements that are normally required by cells in trace amounts, such as copper and zinc, become toxic at high levels. Sublethal levels of heavy metal contaminants can also lead to serious problems with continuous exposure. Organisms must be able to carefully balance the levels of these trace elements at the cellular level, by excluding, exporting, or safely sequestering them when they reach toxic levels, while retaining the essential minimal concentrations needed for normal cellular functions. Cells must also have means of importing these same elements under conditions of starvation. Proper homeostatic control requires rapid activation of genes involved in the response to surfeit or starvation. However, there must also be precise adjustment of the final levels of gene expression, in order to fine-tune the response to the challenge to homeostasis. The activation pathways for many stress-responsive genes have been extensively characterized in yeast. The yeast CUP1 gene encodes a metallothionein, and is a well-characterized model for the transcriptional response to toxic metal stress, particularly the response to cadmium and copper. Work in my laboratory has focused on the mechanisms by which CUP1 is activated and subsequently down-regulated during the response to copper exposure. We are currently studying the roles of chromatin structure and antisense transcription in the control of the copper response.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20RR016466-08
Application #
7719966
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRR1-RI-7 (02))
Project Start
2008-05-01
Project End
2009-04-30
Budget Start
2008-05-01
Budget End
2009-04-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$96,618
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
615245164
City
Fairbanks
State
AK
Country
United States
Zip Code
99775
Wilson, Robert E; Ely, Craig R; Talbot, Sandra L (2018) Flyway structure in the circumpolar greater white-fronted goose. Ecol Evol 8:8490-8507
Hueffer, Karsten; Khatri, Shailesh; Rideout, Shane et al. (2017) Rabies virus modifies host behaviour through a snake-toxin like region of its glycoprotein that inhibits neurotransmitter receptors in the CNS. Sci Rep 7:12818
Ely, Craig R; Wilson, Robert E; Talbot, Sandra L (2017) Genetic structure among greater white-fronted goose populations of the Pacific Flyway. Ecol Evol 7:2956-2968
Talbot, Sandra L; Sage, George K; Sonsthagen, Sarah A et al. (2017) Intraspecific evolutionary relationships among peregrine falcons in western North American high latitudes. PLoS One 12:e0188185
Leewis, Mary-Cathrine; Uhlik, Ondrej; Fraraccio, Serena et al. (2016) Differential Impacts of Willow and Mineral Fertilizer on Bacterial Communities and Biodegradation in Diesel Fuel Oil-Contaminated Soil. Front Microbiol 7:837
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Vayndorf, Elena M; Scerbak, Courtney; Hunter, Skyler et al. (2016) Morphological remodeling of C. elegans neurons during aging is modified by compromised protein homeostasis. NPJ Aging Mech Dis 2:
Goldsmith, Elizabeth W; Renshaw, Benjamin; Clement, Christopher J et al. (2016) Population structure of two rabies hosts relative to the known distribution of rabies virus variants in Alaska. Mol Ecol 25:675-88
Leewis, Mary-Cathrine; Uhlik, Ondrej; Leigh, Mary Beth (2016) Synergistic Processing of Biphenyl and Benzoate: Carbon Flow Through the Bacterial Community in Polychlorinated-Biphenyl-Contaminated Soil. Sci Rep 6:22145

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