Daria Podgorski
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Amy Chang
Research Mentor School/College/Department: MCDB / LSA
Program: UROP
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Authors: Daria Podgorski, Amy Chang
Abstract
In response to stressful conditions, the cell can respond to promote an adaptive response. We have been using yeast to study response to amino acid deprivation. A transcription factor Gcn4 is activated by amino acid deprivation and will move to the nucleus to increase transcription of amino acid synthesis genes; this is a protective response that promotes cell survival. An RNA binding protein called Puf3 also appears to regulate response to amino acid deprivation by increasing mitochondrial activity (and increasing Krebs cycle intermediates). We are currently studying a role for Puf3 in Gcn4 activation during amino acid deprivation. We find that loss of Puf3 impairs Gcn4 activation. We are trying to understand the mechanistic basis for our observation.
