Skip to main content

Erin Johnson

Professor - Biology

Erin Johnson Profile Picture

eMail

exjohnson@jcu.edu

Phone Number

216-397-4253

Location

Dolan Science Center W245

Employee Type

Faculty

Erin Johnson Profile Picture

Expertise: Innate Immunity

Interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) is a transcription factor and key regulator of the type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway.  This pathway governs the immune system’s response to viruses.  Upon viral infection, ISGF3 up-regulates numerous proteins including interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), IFN-inducible double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase, and 2’, 5’-oligoadenlyate synthases.  Collectively, these proteins (and others) serve to induce what is known as the “anti-viral” state in cells.  This is a reversible state in which the cell slows protein synthesis and expresses enzymes that degrade viral nucleic acids in order to subvert viral replication.  Research from my lab has identified several small organic molecules that target ISGF3 and enhance its activity.  My current projects aim to clarify the mechanism(s) by which these compounds enhance ISGF3 function and demonstrate that this enhanced function translates to reduced viral replication.

Recent Courses

BL 155 – Principles of Biology I lecture
BL 215/215L – Introduction to Biotechnology
BL 240 – Epidemiology
BL 310/310L – Microbiology lecture and laboratory
BL 410 – Medical Microbiology
BL 470 – Molecular Methods
BL 471 – Immunology

Selected Publications

Immunology

McDonald, C., Shen, M., Johnson, E.E., Kabi, A., and Yao, Q. (2018) Alterations in Nucleotide-binding Oligomerization Domain-2 Expression, Pathway Activation, and Cytokine Production in Yao Syndrome. Autoimmunity 51(2): 53-61.

Nickerson, K.P., Homer, C.R., Kessler, S.P., Dixon, L.J., Kabi, A., Gordon, I.O., Johnson, E.E., de la Motte, C.A., and McDonald, C. (2014) The Dietary Polysaccharide Maltodextrin Promotes Salmonella Survival and Mucosal Colonization in Mice. PLoS ONE 9(7): e110789. DOI 10.137/journal.pone.0101789.

Johnson, E.E. and Wessling-Resnick, M. (2012) Iron Metabolism and the Innate Immune Response to Infection. Microbes and Infection 14(3): 207-16.

Antimicrobial defenses of poison frogs

Hovey, K.J., Seiter, E.M., Johnson, E.E., and Saporito, R.A. (2018) Sequestered Alkaloid Defenses in the Dendrobatid Poison Frog Oophaga pumilio Provide Variable Protection from Microbial Pathogen. Journal of Chemical Ecology 44(3): 312-325.

Mina, A., Ponti, A., Woodcraft, N., Johnson, E.E., and Saporito, R.A. (2015) Variation in Alkaloid-Based Microbial Defenses of the Dendrobatid Poison Frog Oophaga pumilio. Chemoecology 24(4): 169-178.

 

Degrees

  • B.S. in Biology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 
  • Ph.D. in Medical Sciences, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH 
  • Post-doctoral research in Iron Metabolism and Infectious Disease, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA