• Primary Faculty Profiles
• Bankert, Richard, Ph.D., V.M.D., Professor
• Bianco, Piero, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Campagnari, Anthony, Ph.D., Professor
• Collins, Arlene, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Connell, Terry, Ph.D., Professor
• Egilmez, Nejat, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Hakansson, Anders, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
• Hay, John, Ph.D., Professor
• Jacobs, Amy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
• Melendy, Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Panepinto, John, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
• Read, Laurie, Ph.D., Professor
• Russell, Michael, Ph.D., Professor
• Ruyechan, William, Ph.D., Professor and Chairman
• Thacore, Harshad, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Williams, Noreen, Ph.D., Professor
• Adjunct Faculty Profiles
• Departmental Publications
• Career Opportunities
• The Witebsky Center
• Seminars

Faculty and Research

---

Education:

1976-1978, Postdoc, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
1976, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
1974, M.S., University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
1972, Bachelor of Science, Carnegie-Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA

---

Research Interests:

Replication and Expression of Viral and Trypanosomatid Genomes
My research interests center on molecular biology and pathogenesis in two different biological systems: varicella zoster virus (VZV) and the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. The work on varicella zoster virus is primarily focused on VZV gene regulation and the molecular mechanisms required for the establishment and maintenance of VZV latency. We are currently determining the mechanism by involved in cell type specific modulation of VZV transcriptional activation of the viral glycoprotein I promoter and a novel bi-directional promoter regulating expression of two important DNA replication functions. This involves gene products which are present both during lytic and latent viral infection and includes the major viral transactivator,  the VZV IE62 protein. We have also shown that two ubiquitous transcription factors, USF and Sp1, are required for activation of the gI promoter. Expression of correct levels of glycoprotein I are required for efficient cell-to cell spread of the virus and pathogenesis in skin and T cells. Much of our recent work involves examination of the interplay between the VZV IE62 transactivator and the human Mediator complex in expression of these genes.

We are also investigating a potential role for the VZV IE63 protein in post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The IE63 protein is syntheisized very early during lytic viral infection and IE63 mRNA is expressed in latently infected sensory neurons. We have recently shown that the presence of the IE63 protein in neurons correlates with a reversible decrease in levels of the neurogenic peptide CGRP (calcitonin gene related peptide) in those neurons. Elaboration of CGRP from neurons results in inflammation and pain sensation. We are now beginning to examine possible mechanisms of increased release of CGRP mediated by IE63.

As part of a collaboration with Dr. Noreen Williams two RNA-binding proteins have been identified in T. brucei  the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis in domestic animals.. The expression of these two proteins, p34 and p37 is developmentally regulated during the life cycle of the parasite and they are associated with 5SRNA. Recent work has established thatp34 and p37 are involved in ribosomal biogenesis in T. brucei. Since these proteins are present only in trypanosomatids, they afford a potential target for novel and highly specific chemotherapeutic agents.

Also see the Witebsky Center

Relevant references:

Yang, M., Peng, H., Hay, J., and Ruyechan, W. T.  Promoter Activation by the Varicella Zoster Virus Major Transactivator and the Cellular Transcription Factor USF. J. Virol. 80: 7339-7353, 2006.

Cillioniz, C., Jackson, W., Grose, C., Czechowski, D., Hay, J., and Ruyechan, W. T.  The Varicella Zoster Virus ORF9 Protein Interacts with the IE62 Major VZV Transactivator. J. Virol. 81: 761-774, 2007.

Hamza, M. A., Higgins, D. M., and Ruyechan, W.T. Two Alphaherpesvirus Latency-Associated Gene Products Influence Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Levels in Rat Trigeminal Neurons. Neurobiol. Dis. 25: 553-560, 2007.

Narayanan, A., Ruyechan, W. T., and Kristie, T. M. The Coactivator HCF-1 Mediates Set1 and MLL1 H3K4 Trimethylation of Herpesvirus IE Promoters for Initiation of Infection. Proc. Nat’l. Acad. Sci. USA 104: 10835-10840, 2007.

Hellman, K. M., Ciganda, M., Brown, S., Li, J., Ruyechan, W. and Williams, N. Two trypanosome-specific proteins are essential factors for 5S rRNA abundance and ribosomal assembly in T. brucei. Eukaryotic Cell 6: 1766-1772, 2007.