The goal of this proposal is to investigate the function of mammalian Sim1 and Sim2 genes using transgenic mouse models. Sim1 and Sim2 are homologues of the Drosophila sim (singleminded) gene. In the fly, sim plays essential roles in the development of the central nervous system. Preliminary studies of the mouse Sim genes strongly suggest evolutionarily conserved functions. The SIM proteins contain conserved sequence motif termed the PAS domain, which is hared by several environmental sensor proteins such as the Dioxin receptor, the Hypoxia Inducible Factor, the Drosophila circadian rhythm regulator Per, and the B. subtilis sporulation regulator KinA. This information strongly indicated that SIMs may also respond to specific environmental signals via their PAS domains. This proposal includes the following aims: 1) documenting the expression patterns of Sim1 and Sim2 in detail; 2) establishing mouse models lacking Sim1 and Sim2 gene function by homologous recombination and characterizing mutant phenotypes in order to assess the normal function of these genes, and 3) identifying possible small molecule ligands that modulate the function of Sim1 and Sim2. Importantly, the mouse Sim2 gene is located in the syntenic human Down syndrome critical region. Furthermore, mutant mice lacking Sim1 display neurological disorders that may relate to multiple sclerosis. Exploration and identification of possible small ligands that regulate Sim1 and Sim2 function will be the first step towards developing methods to alter their gene activities in vivo.
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