Subcellular localization of the Neurospora crassa RUV-1 protein, a possible DNA helicase ATP-dependent

• Grant number: 14/11310-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Celia Bertolini
• Grantee: Jonatas Erick Maimoni Campanella
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The sequencing of genomes has allowed making deeper studies on regulatory processes that take place in every organism. Neurospora crassa is one of the best-understood organisms in fungi's kingdom due to their genetic and biochemical characteristics. This organism had its genome sequenced by Galagan et al. (2003) and more recent studies have shown that only 40% of the genes have been identified as known proteins (Wang et al., 2011). Thus, N. crassa becomes a great model organism for the identification of new proteins, and after that, discover their functions. Previous results obtained by our group identified some proteins from N. crassa capable of binding to a DNA fragment of the promoter region of the gene encoding glycogen synthase (GSN), the regulatory protein in glycogen synthesis (Freitas et al., 2008). The fragment contains the STRE motif, which is described in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to participate in the regulation of stress-responsive genes. Preliminary studies with knockout strains in the genes encoding some proteins indicated that they likely regulate glycogen metabolism in this fungus. The proteins have no DNA-binding domain, however, they have a classic nuclear localization signal (cNLS) suggesting nuclear localization. They may be components of large protein complexes that act in the chromatin remodeling process. Although some interesting results have been obtained, further studies should be performed for functional and structural characterization of these proteins. This project proposes to perform subcellular location studies of the ORF NCU03482, a protein identified as able to bind to the DNA fragment. (AU)