Phase variation is a general term for heritable, metastable gene expression states. Phase variation has been described in bacteria and fungi and is associated with pathogenesis. Colony morphology switching has been extensively studied in Candida albicans because it is considered to be a pathogenesis trait, but genetic analysis has been difficult in this system. The PI has discovered that phase variation occurs in pathogenic strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from human patients, but not in avirulent laboratory strains. Extensive genetic characterization of one phase identity locus (PHI) has shown that it is most likely due to a tRNA ochre suppressor that switches between two states, PHI1-1 and PHI1 -2, representing suppressive and non suppressive states, respectively. The second form of phase variation described by the investigator is switching between mannitol utilization states. Cloning the PHI loci by complementation is complicated by the fact that the states are metastable. Instead, these loci will be cloned by a positional cloning strategy using technology developed in the Davis lab. Once the PHI genes are identified, sequencing of the different alleles might provide clues to the mechanism of switching. The PHI genes will be introduced to the non-phase variable laboratory strain, 288c, in efforts to reconstruct phase variation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM058129-03
Application #
6386991
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Program Officer
Anderson, James J
Project Start
1999-05-01
Project End
2004-04-30
Budget Start
2001-05-01
Budget End
2002-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$271,094
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
071723621
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705