RUI: Function of NR2E Nuclear Receptors in C. elegans

该项目的重点是一类称为核受体的基因的功能。核受体基因几乎存在于所有动物物种中。它们负责控制其他基因的表达;作为动物发育程序的一部分，它们打开或关闭其他基因。核受体的一个特殊亚群，称为NR 2 E基因，专门在神经系统的胚胎发育中发挥作用。例如，人类和小鼠NR 2 E基因的突变导致某些类型神经元的发育缺陷。本项目研究了线虫C.线虫是研究神经系统发育机制的优良遗传系统。Wightman实验室正在确定两个NR 2 E基因nhr-67和nhr-111的功能，并将这些结果与他们之前对另一个NR 2 E基因fax-1的研究进行比较。从这项研究中获得的结果将描述NR 2 E基因在神经系统发育中的作用，以及测试有关核受体基因进化性质的特定假设。由于穆伦贝格学院没有研究生或博士后，大部分实验工作都是由本科生进行的。因此，该项目通过支持培养未来科学和医疗保健专业人员的重要教育使命，为国家科学基金会的更广泛目标服务。该项目还对当地的学术环境产生了重大影响，通过培养鼓励学生探究和对科学的热情的“科学文化”。

This project focuses on the function of a class of genes called the nuclear receptors. Nuclear receptor genes are found in virtually all animal species. They are responsible for controlling the expression of other genes; they switch "on" or "off" other genes as part of an animal's developmental program. A particular subgroup of nuclear receptors, called the NR2E genes, specializes in functioning in the embryonic development of the nervous system. For example, mutations in NR2E genes of humans and mice result in developmental defects in the specification of certain types of neurons. This project studies the function of the NR2E genes in the nematode worm C. elegans, an excellent genetic system for studying the mechanism of nervous system development. The Wightman lab is determining the function of two NR2E genes, nhr-67 and nhr-111, and comparing these results to their previous work on another NR2E gene, fax-1. The results obtained from this study will describe the role of NR2E genes in nervous system development, as well as test specific hypotheses about the nature of nuclear receptor gene evolution. Undergraduate students are carrying out most of the experimental work, since Muhlenberg College has no graduate students or postdocs. Therefore, this project serves the broader goals of the National Science Foundation by supporting an important educational mission of training future science and healthcare professionals. The project also has a significant impact on the local scholarly environment, by fostering a "culture of science" that encourages student inquiry and passion for science.