I have done concerns the role of homocysteine in folate metabolism, its effects on the eukaryotic cell, and gene expression in the lab of Dean Appling, Ph.D. There is correlation between higher than normal levels of homocysteine in plasma levels and increased risk of vascular diseases. With no observable phenotype between a wildtype and a mutant strain other than one auxotrophy, I planned and completed the construction of a DNA microassay facility for the Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology at the university for future experiments.
Results are pending analysis.
I can only assume that the genes responsible for alleviating intracellular and extracellular homocysteine in wildtype and mutant strains would be upregulated. These genes include methyl-tetrahydrofolate reductase and genes responsible for cysteine production. This technology, in conjunction with growth curve analysis and classical genetics, yields the opportunity to piece together uncharacterized genes and gain insight into a yeast cell's complete metabolic control mechanisms in response to excess extracellular or intercellular homocysteine concentrations.