George V. Stauffer, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 1976 |
Professor of Microbiology Campus address: 3-352 BSB Mailing address: 51 Newton Rd. 3-352 Bowen Science Building Iowa City, IA 52242 Phone: 319-335-7791 Email: |
Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Gene Expression and How Regulatory Events Serve the Needs of the Cell
Our long-term objective is to understand the basic principles of gene regulation. In Escherichia coli, the gcvB gene encodes a small non-translated RNA that in turn regulates other pathways (e.g., oppA, dppA, cycA and sstT, encoding the oligopeptide and dipeptide periplasmic binding proteins, glycine transport protein and serine transport protein, respectively). The gcvB gene is activated by the GcvA protein in response to glycine and repressed by the GcvA + GcvR proteins in the absence of glycine. Because expression of gcvB follows a pattern of regulation qualitatively similar to the gcvTHP operon, encoding the glycine cleavage enzyme (GCV) complex for generating one-carbon units for cellular methylation reactions, we hypothesize GcvB plays a role in an integrated cellular response to regulate other genes in conjunction with the GCV enzyme system. Using genetics, physiology and biochemistry, we will address two major questions. First, we will determine the secondary structure of GcvB and define regions important for interacting with target mRNAs and regulatory proteins. Second, we will determine the regulatory network controlled by GcvB to gain insight into its role in cell physiology and the molecular mechanisms of control by GcvB.
Recent publications
Pulvermacher SC, Stauffer LT, Stauffer GV. 2009. Role of the sRNA GcvB in regulation of cycA in Escherichia coli. Microbiology 155:106-114.
Pulvermacher SC, Stauffer LT, Stauffer GV. 2009. Role of the Escherichia coli Hfq protein in GcvB regulation of oppA and dppA mRNAs. Microbiology 155:115-123.
Pulvermacher SC, Stauffer LT, Stauffer GV. 2009. The small RNA GcvB regulates sstT mRNA expression in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 191:238-248.
Pulvermacher SC, Stauffer LT, Stauffer GV. 2008. The role of the small regulatory RNA GcvB in GcvB/mRNA posttranscriptional regulation of oppA and dppA in Escherichia coli. FEMS Microbiol Lett 281:42-50.