NURI ROGRIGUEZ, 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

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:nrodriguez@rcm.upr.edu

Field of Interest:

The long term goal of our project is to determine the nature of the signal transduction mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of the expression of dimorphism in fungi using Sporothrix schenckii as a model system. Information concerning the control of dimorphism in these and other fungi lacks a unifying theory. Nevertheless, we have reported that dimorphism in S. schenckii responds to effector molecules controlling cell proliferation and differentiation in other eukaryotic cells. The correct approach to the study of dimorphism is to consider it a proliferative (Yeast cell cycle) or proliferative and morphogenetic process (yeast-mycelium transition) possibly subjected to similar control mechanisms that operate in other eukaryotes. In order to understand the relationship between dimorphism and the signal transduction pathways it is essential that we the analize the molecular constituents of these pathways and study their expression throughout the yeast to mycelium transition and the yeast cell cycle. The proteins involved in signal transduction are many, but at the present, our experimental objectives are concerned primarily with protein kinase C, RAS, G-proteins and protein kinase p34cdc2. The experimental objectives of our work are concerned with elucidating the role that these proteins might have on dimorphic transitions in this fungus. This includes: establishing the presence these proteins in the fungus through various experimental approaches and a characterization of the role of these proteins in the expression of the dimorphic potential of the fungus.

Selected Publications:

  • 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 monophosphate 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 Veterinary and Medical 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 Rodríguez-del Valle, N. 1990. Calcium uptake and efflux during the yeast to mycelium transition in Sporothrix schenckii. Mycopathogia, 112:1-9.

  • Rodríguez-del Valle, N., Quigdley, L. and S. Silva-Ruiz. 1991. An unusual niche for an opportunistic fungus. Boletín de la Asociación Médica de Puerto Rico, 83:69-7

  • 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, 30:185-195.

  • 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, 31:41-53.

  • Aquino-Piñere, 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. Pertussis sensitive G protein alpha subunit in Sporothrix schenckii. Medical Mycology 38:109-121.

  • De Jesús, M. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle. 2000. Identification and sequencing of a PHO85-like kinase in Sporothrix schenckii. manuscript in preparation.

  • Aquino Piñero, E. and N. Rodríguez-del Valle 2000. Identification and sequencing of a pkc-I like gene in Sporothrix schenckii. manuscript in preparation.


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