Hemayet Ullah, Ph.D., is a professor of biology. After obtaining a BS degree in Plant Science from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dr. Ullah attended North Carolina State University at Raleigh to obtain his MS degree in Plant Science. Afterwards, he joined the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Ph.D. program in Biology where his research on plant G-Protein coupled signaling has been highlighted in several high impact publications. After obtaining his Ph.D. in 2002, he completed his post-doctoral training at the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH/NIEHS) and later joined Howard University as a faculty member of Biology department in 2004. His lab investigates cellular signal transduction pathways in diverse organisms ranging from human viruses to plants. His research has resulted in the development of drugs to combat human virus replication and to inhibit invasion/migration of diverse cancer cells. His lab research has been developed into 5 different patent applications.
Molecular Biology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
2002
Biology
North Carolina State University
1996
International University of Japan
1990
University of Dhaka
1988
Denver Baptiste - Graduate Student
Mercy Sabila - Graduate Student
Ahasan Rahman - Graduate Student
Albandari Albehishi- Graduate Student
Shifaa ALshammari - Graduate student
Publication number: 20180360043Abstract: Compounds and methods are described herein that are effective to modulate plant response (e.g., plant susceptibility) to environmentally-induced stress. The compounds and methods described herein advantageously may be used to modulate environmental stress resistance in a wide variety of plants. Environmental stresses include, for example, high light intensity (UV exposure), temperature (e.g., high heat), high soil salinity, and low soil moisture (e.g., drought). As used herein, environmental stresses include any conditions that result in increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accumulation of ROS in the plant cells. The compounds described herein that are effective to modulate resistance to the stress prevent, directly or indirectly, or increase phosphorylation of Tyr248 of the RACK1A protein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Sivanesan Dakshanamurthy, Hemayet Ullah
Publication number: 20150119250Abstract: Compounds and methods are described herein that are effective to modulate plant response (e.g., plant susceptibility) to environmentally-induced stress. The compounds and methods described herein advantageously may be used to modulate environmental stress resistance in a wide variety of plants. Environmental stresses include, for example, high light intensity (UV exposure), temperature (e.g., high heat), high soil salinity, and low soil moisture (e.g., drought). As used herein, environmental stresses include any conditions that result in increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accumulation of ROS in the plant cells. The compounds described herein that are effective to modulate resistance to the stress prevent, directly or indirectly, or increase phosphorylation of Tyr248 of the RACK1A protein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Sivanesan Dakshanamurthy, Hemayet Ullah
Publication number: 20040187176Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving plant agronomic traits by altering the expression or activity of plant G-protein alpha and beta subunits that are GPA1 or AGB1 orthologs. The invention also provides such transgenic plants with improved agronomic traits. One embodiment of the invention includes methods for modulating the expression or activity of a plant G-protein beta subunit that is an AGB1 ortholog to alter one or more of the following: the time to reach and duration of flowering, fruit yield, root biomass, seed size, seed shape, plant size, and the number of stem branches. The present invention also encompasses methods for modulating the expression or activity of a plant G-protein alpha subunit that is a GPA1 ortholog to alter one or more of the following: the duration of flowering, fruit and seed yield, plant size, seed size, and seed shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Douglas Boyes, Keith Davis, Alan Jones, Hemayet Ullah, Jin-Gui Chen, Rao Mulpuri, Ani Chatterjee, Mary P. Ward
Here we show that genetic loss of RACK1A- the predominant member of the three genes family of RACK1 in Arabidopsis, results in the inhibition of miR393 level causing the same salt sensitivities as the individual mir393a or mir393b or the double mutant mir393ab phenotypes. We propose that down-regulation of auxin signaling through RACK1A induced miR393 biogenesis potentially regulates the Arabidopsis acclimation to salinity. Our findings fill up a molecular gap in our understanding of the role of miR393 mediated ABA and auxin-regulated salt stress responses.
Host targeted antiviral (HTA): functional inhibitor compounds of scaffold protein RACK1 inhibit HSV
Here we provide evidence that the drugs show high efficacy in inhibition of HSV-1 proliferation in a HEp-2 cell line. The drug showed similar efficacy as the available anti-herpes drug acyclovir and showed supralinear effect when applied in a combinatorial manner. As an increasing number of viruses are reported to use host RACK1 proteins, and more than 100 diverse animals and plant disease-causing viruses are known to use IRES-based translation, these drugs can be established as host-targeted broad antiviral drugs.
Optogenetics: A Cellular Photoactivation Method and Its Applications in Biomedical Sciences
This review identifies optogenetics, the cascade of events that leads to alternating ion movement, and factors that influence microbial opsins protein function. It discusses factors needed to be considered for an application of optogenetics as a tool and the wavelength of light required to induce retinal isomerization on each type of opsin proteins that leads to photoactivation. Understanding the architecture of opsin proteins is critical in understanding the mechanism by which it transports individual ions.
Genomic Imprinting: Comparative Analysis Between Plants and Mammals
The elucidation of the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms responsible for genetic imprinting have provided answers to various crucial questions arising in biological sciences.
Here we show evidence that RACK1A proteins, depending on diverse environmental stresses, are tyrosine phosphorylated. Utilizing site-directed mutagenesis of key tyrosine residues, it is found that tyrosine phosphorylation can potentially dictate the homo-dimerization of RACK1A proteins.
The Receptor for Activated C Kinase in Plant Signaling: Tale of a Promiscuous Little Molecule
In this review, we take a critical look at the novel information regarding the many functions in which plant RACK1 has been reported to participate, with a special emphasis on the information on its currently identified and missing ligand partners.
The Receptor for Activated C Kinase in Plant Signaling: Tale of a Promiscuous Little Molecule
Two decades after the first report of the plant homolog of the Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (RACK1) in cultured tobacco BY2 cells, a significant advancement has been made in the elucidation of its cellular and molecular role. The protein is now implicated in many biological functions including protein translation, multiple hormonal responses, developmental processes, pathogen infection resistance, environmental stress responses, and miRNA production.
Welcome to the Brave New World: CRISPR mediated Genome Editing- pathway to designer babies?
Here we present the use of Arabidopsis RACK1A, the predominant isoform of a 3-member family, as a bait to screen a split-ubiquitin based cDNA library.
Arabidopsis scaffold protein RACK1A modulates rare sugar D-allose regulated gibberellin signaling
Using genetic knockout lines and a reporter gene, the functional role of RACK1A in the D-allose pathway was investigated. It was found that the rack1a knockout seeds showed hypersensitivity to D-allose-induced inhibition of seed germination, implicating a role for RACK1A in the D-allose mediated suppression of seed germination. On the other hand, a functional RACK1A in the background of the double knockout mutations in the other two RACK1 isoforms, rack1b/rack1c, showed significant resistance to the D-allose induced inhibition of seed germination.
Collaboration with Georgetown University's Dr. Dakshanamurthy's lab, Ullah lab has developed Host-targeted antiviral drugs- Patent submitted with priority date. Funding from DC Center for AIDS Research (DC-CFAR)
