Identification and characterization of molecular modulators of methylmercury-induced toxicity and dopamine neuron degeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans

R Nass and N VanDuyn. A reverse genetic screen identifies the putative multidrug resistance protein MRP-7 as an inhibitor of methylmercury-associated animal toxicity and dopamine neuron degeneration. Gordon Research Conference: Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity. Andover, NH, 2013. VanDuyn N, Nass R. Identification and characterization of plasma membrane and intracellular transporters involved in MeHg-induced whole animal and DA neuron pathology. Society of Toxicology, San Antonio, TX, 2013. *Awarded the Occupational & Public Health Specialty Section Best Abstract by a Student Award Jamadar S, VanDuyn N, Nass R. Generation and characterization of a humanized C. elegans transgenic animal that results in early onset, age-dependent complete loss of DA neurons. Society of Toxicology, San Antonio, TX, 2013. Nass R, Ghosh S, Shah K, Trinidad J, VanDuyn N. Identification of novel genes and epigenetic mechanisms in C. elegans models of idiopathic Parksinson’s disease and manganism. Society of Toxicology, San Antonio, TX, 2013. VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Nass R. Identification and characterization of molecular modulators of methylmercury-induced toxicity and dopamine neuron degeneration in C. elegans. Society of Toxicology, San Francisco, CA, 2012. Nass R, Settivari R, LeVora J, Zhou S, Unrine J, VanDuyn N. Identification and characterization of a dopamine neuron-associated aluminum transporter that confers aluminum-induced neurodegeneration. Society of Toxicology, San Francisco, CA, 2012. VanDuyn N. Identification and characterization of molecular modulators involved in methylmercury –induced cellular stress. EPA STAR Graduate Fellowship Conference. Washington, DC, 2011. *Poster selected for presentation at a Capitol Hill Reception VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Sinclair G, Nass R. Identification and characterization of molecular modulators of methylmercury-induced whole animal and dopamine neuron pathology in C. elegans. International C. elegans Meeting. Los Angeles, CA, 2011. Settivari R, Zhou S, VanDuyn N, LeVora J, Sinclair G, Nass R. Role of Nrf2/SKN-1 dependent and ER stress proteins in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and manganism. International C. elegans Meeting. Los Angeles, CA, 2011. Nass R, Settivari R, VanDuyn N, Zhou S. Identification of molecular modulators of methylmercury-induced dopamine neuron degeneration in C. elegans. 13 International Neurotoxicology Association Meeting, Xi’an, China, 2011. Nass R, Settivari R, VanDuyn N, Zhou S. Role of Nrf2/SKN-1 dependent proteins in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and manganism. 13 International Neurotoxicology Association Meeting, Xi’an, China, 2011. VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Sinclair G, Nass R. Identification and characterization of molecular modulators of methylmercury-induced dopamine neuron pathology in C. elegans. Society of Toxicology, Washington, DC, 2011. Settivari R, LeVora J, VanDuyn N, Zhou S, Sinclair G, Nass R. GST-PI inhibits dopamine neuron degeneration in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and manganism. Society of Toxicology, Washington, DC, 2011. Nass R, LeVora J, VanDuyn N, Settivari R. NRF2/SKN-1-dependent GST-PI inhibits dopamine neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and manganism. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, 2010. VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Zhou S, Nass R. Identification of molecular modulators of methylmercury-induced animal vulnerability and dopamine neuron degeneration in C. elegans. Aging, Metabolism, Pathogenesis, Stress and Small RNAs in C. elegans Topics Meeting, Madison, WI, 2010. Settivari R, Sinclair G, LeVora J, VanDuyn N, Zhou S, Nass R. SKN-1 dependent GSTPi inhibits dopamine neuron degeneration in C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and manganism. Aging, Metabolism, Pathogenesis, Stress and Small RNAs in C. elegans Topics Meeting, Madison, WI, 2010. VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Nass R. SKN-1/Nrf2 inhibits cellular stress in a novel C. elegans model of methylmercury neurotoxicity. Society of Toxicology, Salt Lake City, UT, 2010. *Awarded the Metals Specialty Section Third Place Graduate Student Award VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Asikainen S, Rudgalvyte M, Wong G, Nass R. Molecular and genetic analysis in a novel model of methylmercury neurotoxicity. International C. elegans Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, 2009. VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Chen L, Braun AK, Nass R. Molecular and genetic analysis in a novel model of methylmercury neurotoxicity. Society of Toxicology, Baltimore, MD, 2009. VanDuyn N, Settivari R, Asikainen S, Rudgalvytes M, Hradsky J, Chen L, Braun AK, Wong G, Nass R. Molecular and genetic analysis in a novel model of methylmercury neurotoxicity. Society for Neuroscience, Washington DC, 2008.