Jeremy A. Bruenn

Molecular Virology; Viral-Cellular Interactions

Professor

PhD 1970 University of California at Berkeley
Postdoctoral work 1970 ORNL, 1971 Cold Spring Harbor Labs
Sabbatical 1980 University of Conneticut Health Center
Sabbatical 1988 University of California at Davis
Assistant Professor 1974;
Associate Professor 1980;
Professor 1987 University at Buffalo

Address Information

Jeremy A. Bruenn
Department of Biological Sciences
661 Cooke Hall
State University of New York at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260

(716) 645-2363 ext: 176

To send e-mail: cambruen@acsu.buffalo.edu

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Fungal viruses are noninfectious, segmented dsRNA viruses in which the segments are separately encapsidated. We have completed the sequences of eight viral dsRNAs from Ustilago maydis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, varying from 350 bp to 6099 bp in length. The larger viral dsRNAs encode the capsid polypeptides and RNA polymerase. Translation involves either frameshifting or autocatalytic endoproteolytic processing. We are studying translational frameshifting and its dependence on RNA pseudoknots, as well as the RNAprotein and proteinprotein interactions required for packaging. Smaller dsRNAs encode secreted toxins that kill cells without the virus. We have shown that one of the cellular toxins produced by the Ustilago viruses is a channel-forming toxin, and we are in the process of determining its tertiary structure, mode of interaction with membranes, and cellular receptor. We are also investigating the feasibility of producing fungus resistant crop plants by virtue of expression of the Ustilago toxins.

SELECTED PROJECTS

  • Frameshifting mechanism
    J. Lopinski and TH. Tzeng
    Frameshifting involves an RNA pseudoknot structure that causes ribosomal pausing. The site is being defined by site-directed mutagenesis in three viral systems andmodels for simultaneous slippage and ribosome release are being tested.
  • Molecular Virology
    Viral-cellular Interactions
    Packaging signals
    By virtue of cDNA expression systems and in vitro selection, we are characterizing packaging signals and the protein sequence that recognizes them.
  • The UmV killer toxins C.M. Park
    The UmV toxins are being expressed in transgenic tobacco plants, and their structure is being determined by Xray crystallography in collaboration with D. Ghosh and W. Duax.
  • RNA Polymerase
    T.H. Tzeng and E. Rothier
    The nature and specificity of the viral polymerases are being explored by in vitro mutagenesis.

    PUBLICATIONS

  • Wang, Y., J. A. Bruenn, S. F. Queener, and V. Cody.
    Isolation of rat dihydrofolate reductase gene and characterization of the recombinant enzyme.
    Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 45:2517-2523. (2001)
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  • Gage, M. J., J. Bruenn, M. Fischer, D. Sanders, and T. J. Smith.
    KP4 fungal toxin inhibits growth in Ustilago maydis by blocking calcium uptake.
    Mol Microbiol 41:775-785. (2001)
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  • Edgerton, M., S. E. Koshlukova, M. W. Araujo, R. C. Patel, J. Dong, and J. A. Bruenn.
    Salivary histatin 5 and human neutrophil defensin 1 kill candida albicans via shared pathways.
    Antimicrob Agents Chemother 44:3310-6. (2000)
  • Lopinski, J.D., Dinman, J.D. and Bruenn, J.A.
    Kinetics of ribosomal pausing during programmed -1 translational frameshifting,
    Molec. Cell. Biol., 20, 1095-1103. (2000)
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  • Balasubramanian, S. V., Bruenn, J. A., and Straubinger, R. M.
    Liposomes as formulation excipients for protein pharmaceuticals: a model protein study.
    Pharm. Res. 17, 343-349. (2000)
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  • N. Li, C.-M. Park, M. Erman, W. Pangborn, J. Bruenn, W.L. Duax, and D. Ghosh.
    Structure of Ustilago maydis killer toxin KP6 a-subunit: a multimeric assembly with a central pore.
    J. Biol. Chem. 274, 20425-20431. (1999)
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  • Routhier, E. and Bruenn, J.A.
    Functions of conserved motifs in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of a yeast double-stranded RNA virus.
    J. Virol. 72, 4427-4429. (1998).
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  • W. Yao, K. Adelman, and J. Bruenn
    In vitro selection of packaging sites in a double-stranded RNA virus.
    J. Virol. 71: 2157-2162 (1997)
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  • Yao, W.S., Muqtadir, K., and Bruenn, J.A.
    Packaging in a yeast doublestranded RNA virus
    J. Virol. 69:1917-1919 (1995)
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  • Kinal, H., Park, C.M., Berry, J., Koltin, Y., and Bruenn, J.A
    Processing and secretion of a virally encoded antifungal toxin in tobacco: evidence of a Kex2 pathway in plants
    The Plant Cell 7:677-688 (1995)
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  • W.-S. Yao, K. Muqtadir, and J.A. Bruenn
    Packaging in a yeast double-stranded RNA virus
    J. Virol. 69: 1917 -1919 (1995)
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  • W. Yao and J. Bruenn
    Interference with viral replication by production of fragments of caspid polypeptides.
    Virology. 214: 215-221 (1995)
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  • Park, C.M., Bruenn, J.A., Ganesa, C., Flurkey, W., Bozarth, R.F., and Koltin, Y.
    Structure and heterologous expression of the Ustilago maydis viral toxin KP4
    Molecular Microbiology 11:155-164 (1994)
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  • Tu, C.L., Tzeng, T.H., and Bruenn, J.A.
    Ribosomal movement impeded at a pseudoknot required for frameshifting
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:8636-8640 (1992)


    Secondary structure of the packaging sites of L1X and S14

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