Sirrine, Michael; Grose, Julianne (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Grose, Julianne (Brigham Young University, Microbiology and Molecular Biology)
PAS kinase is a serine/threonine protein kinase known to regulate the pivotal switch between cellular respiration and lipid biosynthesis. One substrate of PAS kinase is Cbf1, a known transcription factor which regulates lipid biosynthesis in yeast and mammalian cells (human homolog USF1). USF1 is associated with hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia in several GWAS studies. We have recently identified and characterized a role for Cbf1 in the regulation of respiration as well, making it a key player in partitioning cellular resources towards respiration versus lipid metabolism. The goal of this proposal is to use the powerful tools of yeast genetics to identify physical interactors of Cbf1 in order to characterize the molecular mechanisms of its action.