Bridy, Phoebe

Kho, Felice

Wang, Yuqi

English

Liberty University Digital Commons

Title: Examination of Putative Histone Acetyltransferases in Cryptococcus NeoformansProgram of Study: Department of Biology and Chemistry (Genetics Research)Presentation Type: Physical Poster Subtype: BasicMentor and Mentor Email: Dr. Gary D. Isaacs, Ph. D. (gdisaacs@liberty.edu)Student name(s) and email(s): Felice Kho (fbkho@liberty.edu),Phoebe Bridy (pvbridy@liberty.edu), Yuqi Wang (ywang17@liberty.edu) Abstract: Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are enzymes involved in the transcriptional activation of genes. p300, a known HAT enzyme, acetylates histone tails at lysine and arginine residues. When histones are acetylated, they are more prone to promote transcriptional activation. Therefore, investigation into different HATs can aid in understanding gene regulation. C. neoformans is a strain of yeast that is major cause of illness for immunocompromised patients, causing nearly 112,000 deaths annually worldwide. Within C. neoformans, there are putative HAT enzymes called SAS3, SAR1, and ESA1. However, although the sequences of these genes suggest they are HAT enzymes, there is no definitive proof existing about their enzymatic activity. Our research aims to first isolate these genes and then individually express them into a bacterial vector (pet45b(+)). Once expressed, the proteins can be assessed for their potential HAT activity via HAT assay. Every HAT assay requires an Acetyl-CoA source, substrate, and enzyme. Our current working HAT assay protocol involves using core histones purified from HeLa cell nuclear extract (substrate) and p300 (specific HAT domain region used as a positive control).  Once the HAT assay has been successfully performed with the putative HAT enzymes, a variety of substrates (i.e. histones purified from S. cerevisiae and C. neoformans, synthetic chromatin made in the lab) will be obtained and incorporated into the HAT assay protocol to further study their mechanisms of action. 

Examination of Putative Histone Acetyltransferases in Cryptococcus Neoformans

https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=2229&context=research_symp&type=additional

Examination of Putative Histone Acetyltransferases in Cryptococcus Neoformans

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