David Peyton

Degrees, Licensures and Certifications

B.S. - Biology, University of Kentucky; Ph.D. - Molecular Biology & Genetics, University of Kentucky

Research Interests

Molecular Genetics - Dr. Peyton's research interests are broad and include collaborations with many colleagues on topics such as genetic markers of differentiating cells, DNA fingerprinting in plant colonies, and molecular taxonomy of fish. His personal interests include molecular evolution of genes such as the growth hormone gene in esocids. The esocids include the fish commonly called Musky and Northern Pike. The growth hormone gene in these fish has undergone unusual changes since the ancestor of the pikes split into five distinct species, creating an unusual gene structure while maintaining the function of the gene itself. Peyton is also interested in the genetic control of pigmentation in vertebrates as influenced by the Melanocortin-1-Receptor (MC1R). This gene is responsible for the brown/red scalp hair color in humans and may be responsible for many of the diverse colors in other organisms. He is currently investigating the role of this gene in the different color variations found in koi fish (Cyprinus carpio) and whether this single gene can influence the red, black and white pigments produced in these fish.

Selected Publications

• "A nuclear gene investigation of the sunfish genus Lepomis (Perciformes: Centrarchidae)." Peyton, D.K. and Hopkins, R.L., II. Journal of the Illinois Academy of Sciences (2009) 102, 205-216. 
• "Morphological Analysis of a Hybrid Minnow Swarm." Hopkins, R.L., II, Eisenhour, D.J., Hopman, L.J., and Peyton, D.K. Northeastern Naturalist (2009) 16(4): 621-628. 
• “Characterization of osteoblastic properties of 7F2 and UMR-106 cultures after acclimation to reduced levels of fetal bovine serum.” Ganguly S, Ashley LA, Pendleton CM, Grey RD, Howard GC, Castle LD, Peyton DK, Fultz ME, DeMoss DL. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. (2008) Jul;86(7):403-15. 
• “Characterization of the ETnII-a endogenous retroviral element in the BALB/cJ Zhx2Afr1 allele.” Sudhir Perincheri, David K. Peyton, Michelle Glenn, Martha L. Peterson, and Brett T. Spear. Mammalian Genome. (2008) 1, 26-31. 
• “A Minisatellite in the Growth Hormone Gene of Esocidae is Derived from a Single Copy Element in the Salmonid Genome.” Barnett, K., Hopkins, R.L. and Peyton, D. Copeia. (2007) 1, 205-211. 
• “The Beta-Actin Gene in Esocids and Independent Evolution of the Actin Gene Family Members.” David K. Peyton. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science. (2006) 67, 2. 
• “The Alpha-fetoprotein Promoter is the Target of Afr1-Mediated Postnatal Repression.” David K. Peyton, Mei-Chuan Huang, Meredith A. Giglia, Nedda K. Hughes, and Brett T. Spear. Genomics 63, 173-180 (2000). 
• “Position-dependent activity of alpha-fetoprotein enhancer element III in the adult liver is due to negative regulation.” David K. Peyton, Tennore Ramesh, and Brett T. Spear. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 97, 10890-10894 (2000).