Min-Hao Kuo
Research Interests
The research in our lab revolves around studies of the molecular roles of post-translational modifications of proteins, and more importantly, the mechanisms employed by these modifications to exert their biological functions.Current research projects fall into one of three areas:
1. Chromatin dynamics and regulation of nuclear activities.
Chromatin is a dynamic structure that not only organizes the genome, but also contributes significantly to the regulation and execution of a variety of nuclear activities, including cell cycle control and transcriptional regulation. MORE
2. Post-translational modifications and protein functions.
Post-translational modifications (PTM) are chemical changes made to proteins after they are synthesized. PTMs may alter the underlying protein's structure, function, and ability to interact with other proteins, metabolites, or biomolecules. Thus, the repertoire of proteome expands drastically when PTMs are considered. In fact, PTMs are essential and integral components of comprehensive proteomes. MORE
3. Lipid metabolism in a model microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.The third-generation biofuel production focuses on using microalgae as the vehicle for biofuel production. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model photosynthetic microalgae with which basic research on lipid metabolism can be applied to other microalgae for biofuel production. Using our expertise and experiences on yeast genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology, we collaborate with Dr. Christoph Benning to identify means of increasing the lipid content of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In addition, we also collaborate with Dr. Barry William's group to use evolutionary approach to create yeast strains that are able to express higher amounts of lipids that might be suitable for biofuel use.
Full text of research interestsRecent Publications
Jianjun Luo, Xinjing Xu, Hana Hall, Edel M. Hyland, Jef D. Boeke, Tony Hazbun, and Min-Hao Kuo (2009). Histone H3 exerts key function in mitotic checkpoint control. Molecular and Cellular Biology (accepted).
Liu, Y., X. Xu, and M.-H. Kuo. 2009. Snf1p regulates Gcn5p transcriptional coactivator function by antagonizing Spt3p. 2009 Oct 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Kuo, M. H., X. J. Xu, H. A. Bolck, and D. Guo. 2009. Functional connection between histone acetyltransferase Gcn5p and methyltransferase Hmt1p. Biochim Biophys Acta 1789:395-402. Link to pdf
Luo, J., and M. H. Kuo. 2009. Linking nutrient metabolism to epigenetics. Cell Science Reviews 6:49-54. Link to pdf
Lee DY, Northrop JP, Kuo MH, Stallcup MR. Histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase G9a is a transcriptional coactivator for nuclear receptors. J Biol Chem. 2006 Mar 31;281(13):8476-85. Link to pdf
Liu, Y, Xu, X-J, Singh-Rodriguez, S, Zhao, Y, and Kuo, M-H. (2005) A histone H3 phosphorylation-independent function of Snf1 and Reg1 proteins rescues a gcn5- mutant in HIS3 expression. Mol Cell Biol. 25(23):10566-79. Link to pdf
Acharya, A, Xu, X-J, Husain-Ponnampalam RD, Hoffmann-Benning S, and Kuo, M-H. (2005) Production of Constitutively Acetylated Recombinant p53 from Yeast and E. coli by Tethered Catalysis. Protein Exp. Purif. 41:417-425 Link to pdf
Guo, D., Hazbun, T., Xu, X., Ng, S-L., Fields, S., and Kuo,
M-H. (2004). A tethered catalysis two-hybrid system to identify protein-protein
interactions requiring post-translational modifications. Nature Biotechnology
(22)888-892. Link to article & sequences
Kuo, M-H. (2001). Tackling the chromatin dynamics: use of antibodies against
acetylated histones and other vibrant chromatin features. ChemTracks.
Sept;14(10)539-556.
Kuo, M-H; vom-Baur,-E; Struhl,-K; Allis,-C-D. (2000). Gcn4 activator targets
Gcn5 histone acetyltransferase to specific promoters independently of
transcription. Mol-Cell. Dec; 6(6): 1309-20.
Broday, L., W. Peng, M-H. Kuo, K. Salnikow, M. Zoroddu, and M. Costa.
(2000) Nickel compounds are novel inhibitors of histone H4 acetylation.
Can. Res. 60:238-241.
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