Faculty
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Sullivan, Christopher
Assistant Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
E-mail Website Main Office: NMS 3.110
Phone: 512-471-5391 Alternate Office: NMS 3.212
Phone: 512-471-4648 Mailing Address:
The University of Texas at Austin
Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
1 University Station A5000
Austin, TX 78712-0162
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Research Summary:
The recent discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) and small regulatory RNAs such as siRNAs and miRNAs, has dramatically changed our understanding of the regulation of gene expression. Consequently, RNAi has generated much excitement due to its regulatory and therapeutic potential. Our research focuses on understanding the interaction of viruses with the RNAi machinery in mammalian cells. We have shown that members of two different DNA tumor virus families encode microRNAs; likely to aid in their own replication and to promote infectivity. SV40 induces tumors in model organisms and Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpes Virus (KSHV) promotes highly vascularized skin tumors and rare B cell lymphomas, predominantly in immunosuppresed AIDs patients. Our goals are twofold: (1) to understand the functions of viral and host encoded microRNAs and how they contribute to viral lifecycle, pathogenesis and tumorigenesis, and (2) to identify novel interactions of mammalian viruses with the host RNAi machinery.
Research Images:
Nodamura virus protein B2 is localized to cytoplasm - B2 is a viral protein that inhibits RNA interference (RNAi) in mamallian cells. Its cytoplasmic localization allows it to bind to RNAs that correspond to substrates and products of Dicer, a key enzyme in the RNAi pathway. |
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Microrarray analysis identifies viral microRNAs - Using a novel approach that integrates microarray analysis with computational prediction we have identified over 20 new microRNAs encoded by several different DNA tumor viruses. |
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Publications:| 2008 | McClure LV, Sullivan CS, Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus taps into a host microRNA regulatory network, Cell Host Microbe 3:1-3. | | 2007 | Sullivan CS, High conservation of Kaposi sarcoma--associated herpesvirus microRNAs implies important function, J Infect Dis 195:618-20. | | 2007 | Sullivan CS, Grundhoff A., Identification of Viral MicroRNAs, Methods Enzymol 427:1-23. | | 2006 | Grundhoff A, Sullivan CS, Ganem D, A combined computational and microarray-based approach identifies novel microRNAs encoded by human gamma-herpesviruses, RNA 12:733-50. | | 2005 | C. S. Sullivan and Ganem D., A virus-encoded inhibitor that blocks RNA interference in mammalian cells., J. Virol, 79:7371-9.. | | 2005 | C.S. Sullivan, Grundhoff A.T., Tevethia S., Pipas J. M., Ganem D., SV40-encoded microRNAs regulate viral gene expression and reduce susceptibility to cytotoxic T cells., Nature 435:682-6.. | | 2005 | Sullivan CS, Ganem D, microlRNAs and viral infection, Mol. Cell. 20:3-7.. |
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