Jay Clark Brown | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Molecular biologist, microbiologist, virologist, and academic |
Academic background | |
Education | B.Sc. in Biology PhD in Biochemistry |
Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University Harvard University MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology |
Thesis | (1969) |
Academic work | |
Institutions | University of Virginia |
Jay Clark Brown is an American molecular biologist,microbiologist,virologist,and academic. He is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of microbiology,immunology,and cancer biology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. [1]
Brown is most known for his work in the field of molecular biology,computational biology,genomics,structural biology,and microbiology with a particular focus on the structure and assembly of herpes simplex virus, [2] human papilloma virus [3] and Human gene expression. [4] He is the co-author of two books including,Medical Cell Biology and Basic Microbiology.
Brown is an Academic Editor of Advances in Virology. [5]
Brown enrolled at Johns Hopkins University,in 1964,and graduated with a BSc in biology. He then undertook research in the area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Harvard University,and earned his Ph.D. in 1969,under the mentorship of Paul M. Doty. Following the completion of his Ph.D.,he received a post-doctoral NATO fellowship in molecular biology and joined the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge,where he worked under the supervision of Francis Crick. [1]
After completing his post-doc in 1971,Brown joined the Department of Microbiology in the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia as Assistant Professor and ascended through the ranks to Professor in 1987. During the summers between 1977 and 1980 he also held an appointment at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole,Massachusetts,where he taught Physiology. He is currently a Professor Emeritus of microbiology,immunology,and cancer biology at University of Virginia School of Medicine. [6]
He held appointments as a vice-chair in 1998 and a chair in 1999,under the cancer study section at the American Cancer Society. [1]
Brown's research primarily focuses on the areas of molecular biology and microbiology. At the beginning of his career,he explored several aspects of molecular biology,with a particular focus on the genetic code. Later his work was aimed at understanding the fundamentals of microbiology and virology and several aspects related to it. Thereafter,he and his team began to work on the structural and functional properties of herpes simplex virus. More recently,he has branched out into human gene expression. [7]
Brown's current research revolves around the control of human gene expression and Organization of transcription factor binding sites in the promoters of human genes. He has co-written more than 100 peer-reviewed articles for leading journals and has been cited broadly throughout his career. [8]
Brown began his work in molecular biology with a substantial interest in the genetic code. During his PhD,under the supervision of Paul Doty,he proposed the development of new methods to synthesize oligonucleotides of defined sequence and studied their coding properties. [9] Subsequently,he demonstrated that the incorporation of N-formylmethionine is stimulated by oligonucleotide messengers that contain the sequence AUG near or at the 5’end of the messenger RNA chain and that it does not stimulate unformulated methionine. [10] He further revealed that AUG is capable of encoding methionine for both initiating and extension methionines. [11]
Following that Brown has worked on the surface glycoproteins and revealed a cell surface glycoprotein characterized as a differentiated state of neuroblastoma C-1300 cells. [12] In his research,he has elucidated significant differences in the amounts of 4 glycopeptide classes extracted from vertebrate cells and also detected a glycopeptide which was only present during the cell-division period and named it glycol-peptide 4. [13] He also identified differential properties of cell surface membrane from the internal membrane,and particularly highlighted that the isolation of glycoproteins with smooth membrane fraction of cell homogenates characterizes them from internal glycoproteins. Based on these criteria,he isolated two molecular weight classes of glycoproteins as the constituents of the plasma membrane of mouse L-929 cells [14] and suggested that band 1 polypeptide might be efficiently involved in regulating L cell growth. [15]
More recently,Brown has augmented his research expertise in analyzing gene expression. He compared the effect of promoters in genes strongly expressed in all tissues with genes that were expressed in a restricted set of tissues and identified the involvement of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 genes of tissue-targeted transcription factor genes in the repression of transcription factor gene expression. [16] Whilst working on gene expression,he proposed that for the protection of promoter's ability to regulate gene expression from the mutagenic damage the transcription binding sites of promoters are arrayed in multiple forms and ascertained supportive evidence in brain and liver-specific gene expression. [17]
Brown has worked widely on vesicular stomatitis virus,herpes simplex virus,and human papilloma virus. His research justified the view that the vesicular stomatitis virus matrix M (VSV-M) protein plays a vital role in the maintenance of nucleocapsid in a compact form [18] and mentioned the possibility of identical functionality of VSV-M in-vivo. [19] While working on the physical characteristics of N protein of vesicular stomatitis virus through electron microscopy images he inferred that the N protein has a bilobed structure and is wedge-shaped with an approximate 9.0 nm,5.0 nm,and 3.3 nm of length,depth,and width respectively. [20] In 1991,he started working on Human papilloma virus and published its structure using cryoelectron microscopy. His work clarified that the structural capsid hexon of the human papilloma virus is molecular pentameres. [21]
A major part of Brown's work was on herpes simplex virus (HSV) and mainly focuses on its structure [2] and assembly to determine properties that can aid in the development of novel anti-herpes therapeutic drugs. He illustrated the molecular composition of the capsid pentons and the triplexes of HSV 1 using the guanidine-HCl extraction [22] and discovered that the protein of abortive capsids of equine herpes virus is entirely encapsulated within the capsid. [23] Later,he detected that the HSV capsid assembles in a cell-free environment with the help of four capsid proteins,including VP5 as the major capsid protein,VP22a as a scaffolding protein and VP19c and VP23 as triplex proteins. [24] In related research,he discovered that a mature,icosahedral herpes simplex virus capsid is formed by a spherical intermediate named procapsid, [25] studied the maturation of procapsid through cryoelectron microscopy [26] and described the distinct structural and conformational changes that occur when a procapsid and is transformed into a mature one. [27] Furthermore,he identified the portal that allows entry and exit of herpes virus DNA from the capsid,at the capsid vertex and also demonstrated the isolation of intact capsid from insect cells that produce pUL6 protein. [28]
A capsid is the protein shell of a virus,enclosing its genetic material. It consists of several oligomeric (repeating) structural subunits made of protein called protomers. The observable 3-dimensional morphological subunits,which may or may not correspond to individual proteins,are called capsomeres. The proteins making up the capsid are called capsid proteins or viral coat proteins (VCP). The capsid and inner genome is called the nucleocapsid.
Indiana vesiculovirus,formerly Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus is a virus in the family Rhabdoviridae;the well-known Rabies lyssavirus belongs to the same family. VSIV can infect insects,cattle,horses and pigs. It has particular importance to farmers in certain regions of the world where it infects cattle. This is because its clinical presentation is identical to the very important foot and mouth disease virus.
The term viral protein refers to both the products of the genome of a virus and any host proteins incorporated into the viral particle. Viral proteins are grouped according to their functions,and groups of viral proteins include structural proteins,nonstructural proteins,regulatory proteins,and accessory proteins. Viruses are non-living and do not have the means to reproduce on their own,instead depending on their host cell's machinery to do this. Thus,viruses do not code for most of the proteins required for their replication and the translation of their mRNA into viral proteins,but use proteins encoded by the host cell for this purpose.
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are small viruses that infect humans and some other primate species. They belong to the genus Dependoparvovirus,which in turn belongs to the family Parvoviridae. They are small replication-defective,nonenveloped viruses and have linear single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) genome of approximately 4.8 kilobases (kb).
Baculoviridae is a family of viruses. Arthropods,among the most studied being Lepidoptera,Hymenoptera and Diptera,serve as natural hosts. Currently,85 species are placed in this family,assigned to four genera.
HHV Latency Associated Transcript is a length of RNA which accumulates in cells hosting long-term,or latent,Human Herpes Virus (HHV) infections. The LAT RNA is produced by genetic transcription from a certain region of the viral DNA. LAT regulates the viral genome and interferes with the normal activities of the infected host cell.
Herpesviridae is a large family of DNA viruses that cause infections and certain diseases in animals,including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word ἕρπειν,referring to spreading cutaneous lesions,usually involving blisters,seen in flares of herpes simplex 1,herpes simplex 2 and herpes zoster (shingles). In 1971,the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) established Herpesvirus as a genus with 23 viruses among four groups. As of 2020,115 species are recognized,all but one of which are in one of the three subfamilies. Herpesviruses can cause both latent and lytic infections.
Human Herpes Virus (HHV) Infected Cell Polypeptide 0 (ICP0) is a protein,encoded by the DNA of herpes viruses. It is produced by herpes viruses during the earliest stage of infection,when the virus has recently entered the host cell;this stage is known as the immediate-early or α ("alpha") phase of viral gene expression. During these early stages of infection,ICP0 protein is synthesized and transported to the nucleus of the infected host cell. Here,ICP0 promotes transcription from viral genes,disrupts structures in the nucleus known as nuclear dots or promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies,and alters the expression of host and viral genes in combination with a neuron specific protein. At later stages of cellular infection,ICP0 relocates to the cell cytoplasm to be incorporated into new virion particles.
Herpes simplex virus1 and 2,also known by their taxonomic names Human alphaherpesvirus 1 and Human alphaherpesvirus 2,are two members of the human Herpesviridae family,a set of viruses that produce viral infections in the majority of humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are very common and contagious. They can be spread when an infected person begins shedding the virus.
Viral entry is the earliest stage of infection in the viral life cycle,as the virus comes into contact with the host cell and introduces viral material into the cell. The major steps involved in viral entry are shown below. Despite the variation among viruses,there are several shared generalities concerning viral entry.
HHV Capsid Portal Protein,or HSV-1 UL-6 protein,is the protein which forms a cylindrical portal in the capsid of Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). The protein is commonly referred to as the HSV-1 UL-6 protein because it is the transcription product of Herpes gene UL-6.
Poliovirus receptor-related 2 (PVRL2),also known as nectin-2 and CD112,is a human plasma membrane glycoprotein.
Host cell factor 1,also known as VP16-accessory protein,is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HCFC1 gene.
Pseudotyping is the process of producing viruses or viral vectors in combination with foreign viral envelope proteins. The result is a pseudotyped virus particle,also called a pseudovirus. With this method,the foreign viral envelope proteins can be used to alter host tropism or increase or decrease the stability of the virus particles. Pseudotyped particles do not carry the genetic material to produce additional viral envelope proteins,so the phenotypic changes cannot be passed on to progeny viral particles. In some cases,the inability to produce viral envelope proteins renders the pseudovirus replication incompetent. In this way,the properties of dangerous viruses can be studied in a lower risk setting.
Sarah A. Connolly is an American virologist. She graduated with a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and is notable for her work on Paramyxovirus and Herpes virus.
Herpesvirus glycoprotein B is a viral glycoprotein that is involved in the viral cell entry of Herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpesviruses have a lipid bilayer,called the envelope,which contains twelve surface glycoproteins. For infectivity to be attained,the double stranded DNA genome of HSV must enter the host cell through means of fusion of its envelope with the cellular membrane or via endocytosis. Other viral glycoproteins involved in the process of viral cell entry include gC,gB,gD,gH,and gL,but only gC,gB,gD,and gH are required for the fusion of the HSV's envelope with the cellular membrane. It can be noted that all herpesviruses have glycoproteins gB,gH,and gL.
David Mahan Knipe is the Higgins Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in the Department of Microbiology at the Harvard Medical School in Boston,Massachusetts and co-chief editor of the reference book Fields Virology. He returned to the Chair of the Program in Virology at Harvard Medical School in 2019,having previously held the position from 2004 through 2016 and served as interim Co-Chair of the Microbiology and Immunobiology Department from 2016 through 2018.
Roselyn J. Eisenberg is a professor at The University of Pennsylvania and a member of the University's School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Dental Medicine. The majority of Eisenberg's research is focused on the herpes simplex virus and the poxvirus and how they enter into susceptible cells. She also studies glycoproteins,vaccines,virology and microbiology.
Paired immunoglobin like type 2 receptor alpha is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PILRA gene.
Patricia Gail Spear is an American virologist. She is a professor emeritus of microbiology and immunology at Northwestern University in Evanston,Illinois. She is best known for her pioneering work studying the herpes simplex virus. Spear is a past president of the American Society for Virology and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences.
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