Ethanol can affect multiple signaling pathways. Some of these pathways have been implicated in acute or chronic behavioral responses to ethanol. We use the nematode C. elegans as a genetic model system. Ethanol alters the behavioral responses of C. elegans at the same tissue concentrations that cause intoxication in humans. Similar molecular pathways appear to contribute to the acute neurodepressive effects of ethanol that are observed in C. elegans and mammalian systems. Ethanol exposure during development causes a variety of morphological changes and a retardation of growth. I am interested in identifying the molecular pathways that contribute to the developmental and behavioral defects that are observed after chronic ethanol exposure. I have observed that ethanol inhibits the growth of wild-type animals. To better understand the mechanisms contributing to this effect, I carried out screens for mutants resistant to the chronic effects of ethanol. Several mutants are also resistant to acute effects of ethanol on locomotion and egg laying. Some of the mutants have a defect in ethanol tolerance and show a defect in serotonin sensitivity. I am currently in the process of mapping and cloning some of the genes responsible for these phenotypes.

Publications:

Jee C, Vanoaica L, Lee J, Park BJ, Ahnn J. (2005) Thioredoxin is related to life span regulation and oxidative stress response in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genes to Cells. Dec; 10(12): 1203-10.

Lee J, Song HO, Jee C, Vanoaica L, Ahnn J. (2005) Calcineurin regulates enteric muscle contraction through EXP-1, excitatory GABA-gated channel, in C. elegans. J Mol Biol. Sep 16; 352(2): 313-8.

Lee J, Jee C, Song HO, Bandyopadhyay J, Lee JI, Yu JR, Lee J, Park BJ, Ahnn J. (2004) Opposing functions of calcineurin and CaMKII regulate G-protein signaling in egg-laying behavior of C.elegans. J Mol Biol. Nov 19; 344(2): 585-95.

Bandyopadhyay J, Lee J, Bandyopadhyay A. (2004) Regulation of calcineurin, a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, in C. elegans. Mol Cells. Aug 31; 18(1): 10-6. Review.

Jee C, Lee J, Lee JI, Lee WH, Park BJ, Yu JR, Park E, Kim E, Ahnn J. (2004) SHN-1, a Shank homologue in C. elegans, affects defecation rhythm via the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. FEBS Lett. Mar 12; 561(1-3): 29-36.

Lee JI, Dhakal BK, Lee J, Bandyopadhyay J, Jeong SY, Eom SH, Kim DH, Ahnn J. (2003) The Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of Down syndrome critical region 1, RCN-1, inhibits multiple functions of the phosphatase calcineurin. J Mol Biol. Apr 18; 328(1): 147-56

Bandyopadhyay J, Lee J, Lee J, Lee JI, Yu JR, Jee C, Cho JH, Jung S, Lee MH, Zannoni S, Singson A, Kim do H, Koo HS, Ahnn J. (2002) Calcineurin, a Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Phosphatase, Is Involved in Movement, Fertility, Egg Laying, and Growth in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Biol Cell. Sep; 13(9): 3281-93.

Lee, J, Jee C, Lee J.I., Lee M.H., Lee M.H., Koo H-S., Chung C.H., Ahnn J. (2001) A deubiquitinating enzyme, UCH/CeUBP130, has an essential role in the formation of a functional microtubule-organizing centre (MTOC) during early cleavage in C. elegans. Genes to Cells. Oct; 6(10): 899-912.

Kim S, Lee J, Ahnn J. (2000) Analysis of the fit-1 gene encoding a ECM protein, flectin, in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Cells. 2000 Apr 30; 10(2): 226-31.