World Congress on

Biotechnology

BIOTECHNOLOGY-2011

83

21-2

3 M

arch

2011

Investigating cellular functions of the calcium signaling genes in Neurospora crassaRekha Deka, Ravi Kumar, Ravi Gedela and Ranjan TamuliIndian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India

We are investigating cellular roles of calcium signaling genes in Neurospora crassa, using knockout mutants. Our studies have revealed cellular roles for the genes NCU04379, NCU02283.2, NCU09123, NCU06650, NCU06366, NCU07075, and NCU07966. NCU04379 gene encodes a conserved Ca2+ and/or calmodulin binding protein and plays a role in growth, calcium and ultraviolet tolerance. NCU02283 and NCU09123 encode Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases important for sexual development of N. crassa. Both NCU06366 and NCU07075 encoded Ca2+/H+ exchangers, NCU06650

as well as NCU07966 encode a novel Ca2+and/or CaM binding protein and a cation-ATPase, respectively, and these genes play a role mating mating-type-associated heterokaryon (het) incompatibility during the vegetative phase. Mating-type-associated het incompatibility is a non-self-recognition process in N. crassa analogous to histocompatibility system in invertebrates and major histocompatibility complex in mammals. Therefore, we hypothesize that calcium plays a diverse role in N. crassa ranging from cell growth to death.

BiographyRanjan Tamuli has completed his Ph.D at the age of 28 years from Centre for

Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and postdoctoral studies from University of Florida and Florida International University. At present, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. He has published five research papers as well as eight on-line papers. He has also served as a reviewer for reputed journals.

doi:10.4172/jpb.1000240