From owner-celegans@net.bio.net Mon Mar 16 22:00:00 1998 Path: biosci!biosci!not-for-mail From: bbaker@socrates.berkeley.edu (Barbara Baker) Newsgroups: bionet.celegans Subject: Postdoctoral Position Date: 17 Mar 1998 06:55:00 -0800 Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Molecular Biology Lines: 61 Sender: daemon@net.bio.net Approved: wmorgan@acs.wooster.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: <6em2s4$fgl@net.bio.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: net.bio.net A POSTDOCTORAL POSITION is currently available for research on elucidation of the N-mediated signal transduction pathways leading to TMV resistance. We isolated the first virus resistance gene, N, of plants {Whitham et al. (1994) Cell 78, 1101-1115}. The N gene confers resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco. To elucidate the mechanisms of N-mediated resistance we are investigating: (1) regulation of N gene expression, (2) the structure-function relationship of the N encoded protein domains, (3) the structure, biochemical properties and cellular localization of the N protein (4) the identification of TMV protein required for N induced resistance (5) identification of components of the resistance signal transduction pathway by genetic dissection of N resistance pathway and identification of cellular interacting proteins, and (7) identification of genes with structural and functional similarities to N for comparative studies. The applicant will have the opportunity to participate in one or more of these projects, however, the available position primarily concerns genetic dissection of the N-mediated signal transduction pathway in tobacco, tomato and Arabidopsis. N is a member of the TIR-NBS-LRR class of R genes. The sequence of several recently isolated R genes shows that they encode deduced products with strikingly similar structural features {Baker et al. (1997) Science 276,726-733}. It is postulated that R genes encode receptors or components of signaling pathways that participate in pathogen recognition and signaling leading to cell death (hypersensitive response-HR), systemic defense (systemic acquired resistance-SAR) and pathogen inhibition. The amino-terminal domain of N (TIR) and other members of this class of R genes share homology with the cytoplasmic domains of the interleukin-1 receptor (Il-1R) the Drosophila and human Toll receptor proteins, participants in pathogen defense programs. The sequence similarity of N, IL-1R and Toll suggests that N mediates pathogen resistance through an IL-1R/Toll-like signal transduction pathway. The nucleotide binding site domain (NBS) of N and other R genes is homologous to the putative ATPase domain of the caspase activating proteins CED-4 and Apaf-1, proteins that regulate apoptosis in C. elegans and mammals respectively. The sequence similarity of N and other R genes to CED-4 and Apaf-1 suggests there may be similarities between mechanisms of cell death in plants and animals {Chinnaiyan et al. (1997) Nature 388, 728-729}. Applicants should have experience in genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology and/or cell biology, however, prior work with plants is not required. A cover letter describing research experience and interests, a curriculum vitae and names of three references should be sent to: Dr. Barbara Baker, University of California, Berkeley and USDA, Plant Gene Expression Center, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710. FAX: 510-559-5929 or 510-559-5678; email: bbaker@socrates.berkeley.edu Barbara Baker Plant Gene Expression Center Department of Plant and Microbial Biology University of California, Berkeley & USDA-ARS 800 Buchanan St. Albany, CA 94710 bbaker@socrates.berkeley.edu Fax: 510-559-5678 .