drarodriguezNuri Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Educational Background:

  • M.S. Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, 1970
  • Ph. D. Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, 1978

Academic Position:

  • Professor of Medical Microbiology and MIcrobian Physiology
  • M.S. Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, 1970
  • Ph. D. Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, 1978

Academic Address, Telephone & E-Mail:
Dept. of Microbiology and Zoology,
University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine,
P.O. Box 365067,
San Juan, P.R. 00936-5067.
Phone: (787)758-2525 ext.1323 o 7027
Direct:(787)764-4006
E-mail: nuri.rodriguez@upr.edu

Field of Interest:

The long term goal of our research is to attain a better understanding of fungal virulence and pathogenesis in order to forward the development of better antifungal therapies using Sporothrix schenckii, the causative agent of sporotrichosis as a model system. Important biological processes require selective and orderly protein-protein interactions at every level of the signaling cascades. G proteins are a family of heterotrimeric GTPases that effect eukaryotic signal transduction through the coupling of cell surface receptors to cytoplasmic effector proteins. They have been associated with growth and pathogenicity in many fungi through gene knock-out studies. In Sporothrix schenckii, we previously identified three heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits and a heterotrimeric G beta subunit. Our present work is concerned with the identification of proteins that interact with these subunits. Using the yeast two-hybrid technique, we have identified protein-protein interactions between SSG-1 and SSG-2, and important cellular proteins. These interactions were corroborated using co-immuneprecipitation. Using these techniques we identified a Fe/Mn superoxide dismutase (SOD), a glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase and two ion transport proteins, a siderophore-iron transporter belonging to the Major Facilitator Superfamily and a divalent-cation transporter of the Nramp (natural resistance-associated macrophage protein) family as interacting with SSG-1. We have identified a G protein coupled receptor, a glucose transporter of the major facilitator superfamily and a cAMP phosphodiesterase as interacting with SSG-2. The cDNA’s encoding these proteins have been sequenced and bioinformatic macromolecular sequence analyses were used for the correct classification and functional assignment. The identification of such important proteins as partners of a Gα subunit in this fungus suggests possible mechanisms through which this G protein can affect pathogenicity and survival under conditions of environmental stress or inside the human host. The transporter identified in this work are the first to be reported in S. schenckii and the first time they are identified as interacting with fungal G protein alpha subunits. The association of G protein alpha subunits to transport molecules reinforces the role of G proteins in the response to environmental signals and also highlights the involvement of fungal G protein alpha subunits in nutrient sensing in S. schenckii. These interactions suggest that these permeases could function as transceptors for G proteins in fungi.

Honors

  • Invited Speaker Keystone Symposium 2012 New Mexico, Fungal Pathogens: From Basic Biology to Drug Discovery
    Mobil Oil Company Award for Outstanding Scientists in P.R. 1981
  • Arturo L. Carrión Award, PR Branch American Society for Microbiology 1983
  • Distinguished Professor, Student Research Forum 1989 Medical Sciences Campus
  • Invited Speaker, IV International Mycology Congress, 1990 Germany. “Calcium Ions and Dimorphism in Sporothrix schenckii”
  • Invited Speaker, 4th Symposium on Topics in Mycology, England 1992 “Studies on phase transitions in Sporothrix schenckii, A role for protein kinase C”
  • Invited Speaker, V Mycology Congress, Mexico 1994 “Sporothrix schenckii: a model for the study of differentiation”
  • Invited Speaker, American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, 2000 California. “Signal Transduction and Dimorphism in Sporothrix schenckii”
  • Distinguished Professor Award, Graduate Students 2003
  • Selected as author of 1 of the 2 best papers published in the year 2002 Journal of Medical Mycology
  • Invited Speaker First Conference on Dimorphic Fungi, 2006 ASM Denver Colorado.

 Book Chapter

  • Colón-Colón, W. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 1993. “Studies on phase transitions on Sporothrix schenckii: Possible involvement of Protein Kinase C”. Dimorphic Fungi in Biology and Medicine pages 225-239. Plenum Publishing Co., N.Y. (1993).

Special Reports

  • Sciences and Tecnology in the Americas:Perspectives on Pan American Collaboration American Association for the Advancement of Science Ed. E. Jeffrey Stann 2005
  • The Fungal Kingdom, A report from the American Society for Microbiology, ASM 2008

Grants Funded

  • S06GM08224
    MBRS-SCORE Grant: Studies on the Dimorphism in Sporothrix schenckii
    08/1/2004-07/31/2008
    Rodriguez-del Valle, N (Project PI)
  • Previous Research Support:
    Studies on the Dimorphism of the Pathogenic Fungus Sporothrix schenckii
    MBRS NIH Grant No. RR-8102 from 1980-1992
    Rodriguez-del Valle, N (Project PI)
  • S06GM08224 (completed, 1992-1996)
    MBRS Grant: Studies on the Dimorphism in Sporothrix schenckii
    08/1/1992-07/31/1996
    Rodriguez-del Valle, N (Project PI)
  • S06GM08224(completed, 1996-2000)
    MBRS Grant: Studies on the Dimorphism in Sporothrix schenckii
    08/1/1996-07/31/2000
    Rodriguez-del Valle, N (Project PI)
  • S06GM08224
    MBRS-SCORE Grant: Studies on the Dimorphism in Sporothrix schenckii
    08/1/2000-07/31/2004
    Rodriguez-del Valle, N (Project PI)

Selected Publications:

  • Rodriguez-Caban, J., Gonzalez-Velazquez W., Perez-Sanchez L., Gonzalez-Mendez R., and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 2011. Calcium/calmodulin kinase1 and its relation to thermotolerance and HSP90 in Sporothrix schenckii: an RNAi and yeast two-hybrid study. BMC Microbiology 11: 162.
  • Gonzalez-Velazquez, W., Gonzalez-Mendez, R., Rodriguez-del Valle, N. 2012. Characterization and ligand identification of a membrane progesterone receptor in fungi: existence of a novel PAQR in Sporothrix schenckii. BMC Microbiology 12: 194.
  • Sequencing of a G protein ß subunit in Sporothrix schenckii. Claribel González, Ana González-Caraballo, Nuri Rodriguez-Del Valle, Shirley Valentín-Berríos. 2002 General Meeting ASM
  • Identification of a G protein alpha subunit in Sporothrix schenckii other than SSG-1. Shirley Valentín-Berríos and Nuri Rodriguez-Del Valle,. 2002 General Meeting ASM
  • Identification and sequencing of a calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase gene in Sporothrix schenckii . Liz Valle and Nuri Rodriguez-Del Valle,. 2005 General Meeting ASM
  • Screening for two hybrid interactions by yeast mating using Sporothrix schenckii SSG-2. Shirley Valentín-Berríos and Nuri Rodriguez-Del Valle, 2005 General Meeting ASM
  • Heterotrimeric G protein role in Sporothrix scheenckii dimorphism. Nuri Rodriguez-del Valle. 2006. ASM Conference: Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens.
  • A Novel G Protein-Coupled Receptor Gene in Sporothrix schenckii Encoding a Protein Homologous to the Human Progestin Adiponectin Receptor
    W. González, N. Rodriguez 2008 General Meeting ASM
  • SsCaMKI protein interactions in Sporothrix schenckii J. Rodríguez-Cabán and N. Rodríguez-del Valle ,. 2008 General Meeting ASM
  • Identification of transport molecules interacting with Sporothrix schenkcii G protein alpha subunits.
    L. Pérez-Sánchez, E. colon-Lorenzo, W, González-Velazquez and N. Rodríguez-del Valle2008 General Meeting ASM
  • RNAi Mediated Gene Silencing of Calcium/calmodulin kinase I (sscamk1) in Sporothrix schenckii J. Rodríguez-Cabán and N. Rodríguez-del Valle ,. 2010 General Meeting ASM
  • Identification of a High Affinity Phosphodiesterase Interacting with Sporothrix schenckii G-alpha Subunit using the Yeast Two Hybrid Assay. W. González, N. Rodriguez ,. 2010 General Meeting ASM
  • A Member of the Membrane Associated Progesterone Receptor Related Family as an
    Interacting Protein with a G Protein Alpha Subunit of Sporothrix schenckii
    L. Pérez-Sánchez and N. Rodríguez-del Valle 2010 General Meeting ASM
  • Rodríguez, N. and F.L. Renaud. 1980. On the possible role of serotonin in the regulation of regeneration of cilia. Journal of Cell Biology, 85: 242-247.
  • Rodríguez-del Valle, N., Rosario, M. and G. Torres-Blasini. 1983. Effects of pH, temperature aeration and carbon source on the development of the mycelial or yeast form of Sporothrix schenckii from conidia. Mycopathologia, 32: 82-88.
  • Alsina, A. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 1984. Effects of divalent cations and functionally related substances on the east to mycelium in Sporothrix schenckii. Sabouraudia, 22 : 1-5.
  • Rodríguez-del Valle, N., Debs-Elías, N. and A. Alsina. 1984. Effects of caffeine, cyclic 3′, 5′ guanosine mono-phosphate and cyclic 3′, 5′ monophosphate in the development of the mycelial form of Sporothrix schenckii. Mycopathology, 86 : 29-33.
  • Betancourt, S., Torres-Bauzá, L.J. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle 1985. Molecular and cellular events during the yeast to mycelium transition in Sporothrix schenckii. Sabouraudia, 23 : 207-209.
  • Ayala, S. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 1988. Molecular and cellular events during the germination of conidia in Sporothrix schenckii. Mycopathologia 101: 113-120.
  • Resto, S. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 1988. Yeast cell cycle of Sporothrix schenckii. Journal of Medical and Veteri¬nary Mycology, 26: 13-24.
  • Rodríguez, N. 1989. Effects of Zinc on macromolecular synthesis and nuclear division during the yeast to mycelium transition in Sporothrix schenckii. Mycopathologia 106: 23-29.
  • Serrano, S. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 1990. Calcium uptake and efflux during the yeast to mycelium transition in Sporothrix schenckii. Mycopathogia, 112: 1-9.
  • Rodríguez-del Valle, N. and J. Rodríguez-Medina. 1993. Calcium stimulates molecular and cellular events during the yeast to mycelial transition in Sporothrix schenckii. Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology, 31:43-53.
  • Rivera-Rodríguez, N. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 1992. Effects of calcium, ions on the germination of Sporothrix schenckii conidia. Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology, 30: 185-95.
  • Aquino-Piñero, E. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 1997 Different Protein kinase C isoforms are present in the yeast and mycelium forms of Sporothrix schenckii.. Mycopathologia, 138: 109-115.
  • Delgado Quiñones, N. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 2000. Presence of a pertussis sensitive G protein alpha subunit in Sporothrix schencki. Journal of Medical Mycology 38: 109-121.
  • Aquino-Piñero, E. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 2002. Characterization of a protein kinase C gene in Sporothrix schenckii and its expression during yeast to mycelium transition. Journal of Medical Mycology 40: 185-199.
  • De Jesús-Berríos, M. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 2002. Expression of a Pho85 cyclin-dependent kinase is repressed during the dimorphic transition in Sporothrix schenckii. Fungal Genetics and Biology
  • Aquino-Pinero E, Rodriguez-del Valle N. 2002. Characterization of a protein kinase C gene in Sporothrix schenckii and its expression during the yeast-to-mycelium transition. Med Mycol, 40(2):185-199.
  • Valle-Aviles L, Valentin-Berrios S, Gonzalez-Mendez RR, Rodriguez-Del Valle N: Functional, genetic and bioinformatic characterization of a calcium/calmodulin kinase gene in Sporothrix schenckii. BMC Microbiol 2007, 7:107.
  • Valentin-Berrios S, Gonzalez-Velazquez W, Perez-Sanchez L, Gonzalez-Mendez R, Rodriguez-Del Valle N: Cytosolic phospholipase A2: a member of the signalling pathway of a new G protein alpha subunit in Sporothrix schenckii. BMC Microbiol 2009, 9:100.
  • Pérez-Sánchez L, González E, Colón-Lorenzo EE, González-Velázquez W, González-Méndez R, Rodríguez-del Valle N.Interaction of the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit SSG-1 of Sporothrix schenckii with proteins related to stress response and fungal pathogenicity using a yeast two-hybrid assay. BMC microbiology 2010, 10:317.