CAA: Analysis of Vertebrate Telomere Proteins Using Gene Targeting

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9722790 Price The goal of this project is to develop a vertebrate cell culture system for making targeted disruptions of telomere protein genes. This culture system will allow researchers to explore the role different telomere proteins play in telomere function. Vertebrate telomeres are large nucleoprotein complexes and these complexes are expected to be comprised of many different proteins. Targeted disruptions of the TRF1 gene, the gene encoding the first vertebrate telomere protein identified, will be made and the null phenotype analyzed. A chicken B-cell line that has an unusually high frequency of homologous recombination will be used. Mutant versions of the TRF1 gene will be used to complement the null phenotype in order to dissect and understand the function of the protein. This Career Advancement Award to Dr. Carolyn Price will allow her to gain the technical expertise and the in-depth knowledge necessary for a study of vertebrate telomere function. This sabbatical experience will allow her to switch her research program in her own laboratory from investigations into the function of telomeres in ciliated protozoa to similar studies in vertebrates.