RUI: Salamander Greenrod/blue Cone Visual Pigment Gene Characterization

RUI：蝾螈 Greenrod/blue Cone 视觉色素基因表征

• 批准号: 0421929
• 负责人: Alix Darden
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Citadel Military College of South Carolina
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-08-01 至 2008-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0421929&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Salamander; Greenrod; blue; Cone

Rod and cone cells contain closely related but distinct photoreceptor proteins called opsins, which have diverged to meet the differing requirements of night and day vision. A recent study describes the first evidence for an exception to that rule. The tiger salamander SWS II, P432, a cone-like pigment, is expressed in both the blue sensitive cones and green rods. The promoter for the tiger salamander SWS II gene has been cloned and shown to be functionally active in photoreceptor cells. One goal of this research is to identify and characterize the unique regulatory elements in the SWS II promoter. An additional goal is to clone and sequence the SWS II, P434 opsin promoter from the closely related frog, Xenopus. By comparing the salamander and Xenopus promoters, as well as other promoters that drive rod or cone specific expression, the study will contribute to the understanding of how the cell type specific expression is achieved at the molecular level. The data will test the hypothesis that the promoter of the tiger salamander SWS II, P432 opsin gene contains both rod and cone-specific elements, driving opsin gene expression in both rods and cones. This research will provide the basis for an undergraduate molecular genetics course, for undergraduate genetics labs as well as undergraduate independent research projects. Undergraduate biology majors and pre-service science teachers in these courses will gain exposure to science as a process by participating in classroom laboratory exercises designed around this research. Independent research students will be encouraged to present their data at local and national meetings. These opportunities are critical in the development of students as scientists and science educators.

视杆细胞和视锥细胞含有密切相关但不同的光感受器蛋白，称为视蛋白，它们已经分化以满足昼夜视觉的不同要求。最近的一项研究描述了该规则的一个例外的第一个证据。虎蝾螈的SWS II， P432是一种锥状色素，在蓝色敏感的锥细胞和绿色杆状细胞中都有表达。虎蝾螈SWS II基因的启动子已被克隆，并显示在感光细胞中具有功能活性。本研究的一个目标是识别和表征SWS II启动子中独特的调控元件。另一个目标是克隆和测序来自近亲蛙爪蟾的SWS II， P434视蛋白启动子。通过比较蝾螈和爪蟾的启动子，以及其他驱动杆状或锥状特异性表达的启动子，本研究将有助于理解细胞类型特异性表达是如何在分子水平上实现的。这些数据将验证虎蝾螈SWS II P432视蛋白基因启动子包含杆和锥特异性元件的假设，驱动视蛋白基因在杆和锥中的表达。本研究将为本科生分子遗传学课程、本科生遗传学实验室和本科生自主研究项目提供基础。这些课程的本科生物学专业和职前科学教师将通过参与围绕本研究设计的课堂实验练习来接触科学。将鼓励独立研究的学生在地方和国家会议上展示他们的数据。这些机会对于培养学生成为科学家和科学教育者至关重要。