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Research Poster PresentationsP O S T E R 4 3Cloning of Critical Domain ofIno2p Responsible for RecruitingChromatin Remodeling ActivitiesEugene LempertFaculty Mentor: Dr. Chang-Hui ShenDepartment of BiologyThe INO1 gene codes for inositol-1-phosphatesynthase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step inthe conversion of glucose-6-phosphate to inositol-3-phosphate. This intermediate is used in theproduction of phophatidylinositol and otherimportant phospholipids and phosphoinositides.When inositol becomes limiting, INO1 activity isupregulated by the Ino2p-Ino4p dimer; in thepresence of inositol, Opi1p inactivates the Ino2p-Ino4p dimer, thus downregulating INO1transcription. According to our research and thework of others, the Ino2p-Ino4p dimer interactswith the UASino elements in the INO1 promoterand recruits chromatin-remodeling complexes,such as SWI/SNF and the Ino80p-associatedcomplex. The structure of the Ino2p subunitcontains two transcriptional activator domains, arepressor interaction domain, and a basic helixloop-helixmotif that it shares with Ino4p. Todetermine the necessity of each domain, truncatedversions of the INO2 gene were produced usingpolymerase chain reaction and ligated into aplasmid containing a TRP1ARS1CUP1 sequence.This sequence allows for selectivity of transformedino2 delta yeast cells and selective activation of thetruncated INO2 variants. In order to determinewhich INO2 variants would save the cells frominositol auxotrophy, individual colonies containingone version of the INO2 sequence were grown inmedia lacking inositol. The optical density wasrecorded over a 24-hour period and growth curveswere produced. Our current results indicate thatinositol auxotrophy can be avoided in cells thatcontain a plasmid with the sequence coding for thesecond transcriptional activator domain.P O S T E R 4 4Interference in Consolidation ofEmotional Learning of PigeonsGary Mulligan, Samantha ScicchignoFaculty Mentor: Dr. Edward MeehanDepartment of PsychologyUsing a series of training and interference sessions,White Carneaux pigeons were tested with stimuliassociated with different reinforcement outcomes,e.g., A++, B+, C- and X. In order to assess theirsensitivity to emotional learning (through PavlovianConditioning). The birds were exposed to multipleschedules during training and then given retroactiveinterference sessions that included presentation ofthe relevant (A, B, & C) and irrelevant (X) stimuliwithout reinforcement (extinction). The birds werethen tested to explore the effect of the retroactivetasks on consolidation of emotional learning. Resultsindicated that the birds were sensitive to differentialoutcome and were discussed in terms of theinteraction between Instrumental and PavlovianConditioning as well as the emotional sensitivity ofthe Avian nervous system.47