Jason Wever

Program: Molecular Genetics and Genomics

Current advisor: Yehuda Ben-Shahar, PhD

Undergraduate university: University of Southern California, 2006

Enrollment year: 2020

Research summary
CG14205: Mediating GI host-microbe interactions that promote larval development in Drosophila

My project investigates the function of NRF-AT3 proteins in metazoans using the Drosophila melanogaster model. NRF-AT3 proteins contain C-terminal nose resistant to fluoxetine (NRF) and N-terminal acyltransferase 3 (AT3) domains. AT3 domains are well-characterized in bacteria, functioning as integral membrane proteins that transport acyl-groups from the cytoplasm to the periplasm. Our lab identified an NRF-AT3 protein, CG14205, in Drosophila melanogaster that is required for normal larval development. I hypothesize that CG14205 functions to mediate exchange of bacterial metabolites to the host which promote larval development by maintaining metabolic homeostasis.

Graduate publications
Sachar R, Lee TY, DiAntonio A, Dy CJ, Wever J, Milbrandt J, Brogan DM.. 2025 SARM1 Inhibition Maintains Axonal Integrity After Rat Sciatic Nerve Transection and Repair. J Hand Surg Am, 50(11):1402.e1-1402.e9. PMCID: PMC12304245