Browsing by keyword "Nucleotidyltransferases"

Now showing items 1-3 of 3

    • Identification of Novel (<em>R</em>NAi <em>De</em>ficient) Genes in <em>C. elegans</em>: A Dissertation
      Chen, Chun-Chieh G. (2006-09-26)
      RNA interference or RNAi was first discovered as an experimental approach that induces potent sequence-specific gene silencing. Remarkably, subsequent studies on dissecting the molecular mechanism of the RNAi pathway reveal that RNAi is conserved in most eukaryotes. In addition, genes and mechanisms related to RNAi are employed to elicit the regulation of endogenous gene expression that controls a variety of important biological processes. To investigate the mechanism of RNAi in the nematode C. elegans, we performed genetic screens in search of RNAi deficient mutants (rde). Here I report the summary of the genetic screens in search of rde mutants as well as the identification of two novel genes required for the RNAi pathway, rde-3 and rde-8. In addition, we demonstrate that some of the rde genes, when mutated, render the animals developmentally defective, suggesting that these rde genes also function in developmental gene regulation. This work presents novel insights on the components of the RNAi pathway and the requirement of these components in the regulation of endogenous gene expression.

    • Recognition of cytosolic DNA by cGAS and other STING-dependent sensors
      Bhat, Numana; Fitzgerald, Katherine A. (2014-03-01)
      The presence of DNA in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells is perceived as a danger signal, alerting the host to the presence of microbial infection. In response to the detection of cytoplasmic DNA, the immune system mounts a programed response that involves the transcription of anti-viral genes such as type I interferons and production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta. The recent discovery of the cGAS-cGAMP second messenger pathway as well as IFI16 and additional sensors collectively provide critical insights into the molecular basis behind the sensing of cytoplasmic DNA. The insights obtained from these important discoveries could unveil new avenues to understand host-immunity, improve vaccine adjuvancy, and allow development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases associated with abberrant sensing of DNA.

    • STING-dependent cytosolic DNA sensing mediates innate immune recognition of immunogenic tumors
      Woo, Seng-Ryong; Fuertes, Mercedes B.; Corrales, Leticia; Spranger, Stefani; Furdyna, Michael J.; Leung, Michael Y. K.; Duggan, Ryan; Wang, Ying; Barber, Glen N.; Fitzgerald, Katherine A.; et al. (2014-11-20)
      Spontaneous T cell responses against tumors occur frequently and have prognostic value in patients. The mechanism of innate immune sensing of immunogenic tumors leading to adaptive T cell responses remains undefined, although type I interferons (IFNs) are implicated in this process. We found that spontaneous CD8(+) T cell priming against tumors was defective in mice lacking stimulator of interferon genes complex (STING), but not other innate signaling pathways, suggesting involvement of a cytosolic DNA sensing pathway. In vitro, IFN-? production and dendritic cell activation were triggered by tumor-cell-derived DNA, via cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), STING, and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). In the tumor microenvironment in vivo, tumor cell DNA was detected within host antigen-presenting cells, which correlated with STING pathway activation and IFN-? production. Our results demonstrate that a major mechanism for innate immune sensing of cancer occurs via the host STING pathway, with major implications for cancer immunotherapy.