Robert L. Lester
Professor
B.S. Yale University
Ph.D. California Institute of Technology
rlester@uky.edu

Research Interests  |  Publications |  PubMed

Research Interests:

Our interest centers on the inositolphosphorylceramides, a group of membrane sphingolipids not found in animals, which we have shown to be widespread in plants, fungi and yeasts, and in parasitic protozoans. Little is known about the function(s) of these substances but our biochemical-genetic studies indicates that they are essential for life (Pinto, et al., 1992) and thus may provide novel targets for the development of therapeutic agents safe for man but useful in the control of pathogenic fungi and parasites.

Using molecular genetic tools we are identifying (in collaborationwith Prof. R. C. Dickson of this Department) the genes and enzymes involved in the metabolism and function of these substances in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Representative Publications:

W.J. Pinto, B. Srinivasan, S. Shepherd, A. Schmidt, R. C. Dickson, and R. L. Lester. Sphingolipid long chain base auxotrophs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: genetics, physiology, and a method for their selection. J. Bacteriol. 174:2565-2574, 1991.

G. B. Wells, R. C. Dickson, and R. L. Lester Heat-induced elevation of ceramide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via de novo synthesis J. Biol. Chem. 273: 7235-7243, 1998.

M. S. Skrzypek, M. M. Nagiec, R. L. Lester, and R. C. Dickson Analysis of phosphorylated sphingolipid long-chain bases reveals potential roles in heat stress and growth control in Saccharomyces. J. Bacteriol. 181: 1134-1140, 1999.

R. C. Dickson and R. L. Lester. Yeast sphingolipids. Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1426: 347-357 1999.

R.C. Dickson and R. L. Lester Metabolism and selected functions of sphingolipids in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1438:305-321, 1999.