DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The genome-wide occupancy and thermosensitivity of histone variant H2A.Z in embryonic Chrysemys picta, a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination

在大多数动物中，后代的性别是由其遗传构成决定的（基因型性别决定，GSD），而在其他动物中，它是由发育期间的孵化温度决定的（温度依赖性性别决定，TSD）。在TSD中，对雄性或雌性形成重要的基因取决于温度的开启或关闭，但温度运作的确切分子机制尚不清楚。这个项目的目标是检验假设，即H2A。Z是一种已知在植物和真菌中具有热敏性的DNA结合蛋白，在TSD脊椎动物中也具有热敏性，并负责使DNA或多或少地易于激活，从而将温度信号转化为差异基因表达。利用彩龟龟（Chrysemys picta， TSD）和下一代DNA测序技术，对H2A的定位和热敏性进行了分析。与DNA结合的Z将在海龟基因组中被绘制出来。该项目提出了一个关于动物如何感知和响应温度的新假设，如果这是真的，将改变我们对TSD脊椎动物性别决定方式的理解，以及温度如何影响脊椎动物的整体发育。该项目为本科生提供了许多研究机会，PI和Co-PI都致力于为科学界代表性不足的群体提供教育和研究经验。他也是NSF GK-12研究员，将科学教育带到当地的中学课堂和公共演讲活动中。

In most animals, the sex of the offspring is determined by its genetic constitution (Genotypic Sex Determination, GSD) while in others it is determined by the incubation temperature during development (Temperature-dependent Sex Determination, TSD). In TSD, genes important for the formation of males or females are switched on/off depending on the temperature, but the exact molecular mechanism by which temperature operates remains unknown. The goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that H2A.Z, a DNA-binding protein known to be thermosensitive in plants and fungi, is also thermosensitivity in TSD vertebrates and responsible for making the DNA more or less accessible to activation, thus translating the temperature signal into differential gene expression. Using the painted turtle Chrysemys picta (TSD) and Next-Generation DNA Sequencing technology, the location and thermosensitivity of H2A.Z binding to DNA will be mapped across the turtle genome. This project proposes a novel hypothesis about how animals sense and respond to temperature, which if true, could transform our understanding both how sex is determined in TSD vertebrates, and how temperature affects overall vertebrate development. This project provides many opportunities for undergraduate research, and both the PI and Co-PI are committed to providing educational and research experiences to underrepresented groups in science. The Co-PI is also an NSF GK-12 Fellow, bringing science education to local middle school classrooms and public speaking events.