RUI: Salamander Greenrod/blue Cone Visual Pigment Gene Characterization

视杆细胞和视锥细胞含有密切相关但不同的感光蛋白，称为视蛋白，它们已经分化以满足夜间和白天视觉的不同要求。最近的一项研究描述了该规则例外的第一个证据。 虎蝾螈SWS II，P432，一种锥状色素，在蓝色敏感锥和绿色视杆中表达。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确定和表征SWS II启动子中的独特调控元件。另一个目标是克隆和测序SWS II，P434视蛋白启动子从密切相关的青蛙，非洲爪蟾。 通过比较蝾螈和非洲爪蟾启动子，以及其他驱动杆或锥特异性表达的启动子，该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。这些数据将检验虎蝾螈SWS II，P432视蛋白基因的启动子包含视杆细胞和视锥细胞特异性元件，驱动视蛋白基因在视杆细胞和视锥细胞中表达的假设。这项研究将为本科分子遗传学课程，本科遗传学实验室以及本科独立研究项目提供基础。 本科生物学专业和职前科学教师在这些课程将获得接触科学作为一个过程，通过参加围绕本研究设计的课堂实验室练习。 将鼓励独立研究的学生在地方和国家会议上提交他们的数据。这些机会对于培养学生成为科学家和科学教育工作者至关重要。

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.