Current Search: Honors Student Theses (x) » Formation (x) » Microtubules (x)
View All Items
- Title
- Adopting the orphan: determining the role of the motor protein KIF9 during the cell cycle.
- Creator
- Rivera Rios, Miguel E., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
-
The kinesin superfamily of microtubule motor proteins is subdivided into families based upon structure and function. KIF9 is the founding member of the Kinesin-9 family, which is a largely uncharacterized group of kinesins. It was originally identified by sequence homology to other kinesins. Subsequent studies have shown that KIF9 interacts with proteins involved in cell shape remodeling, cell migration and proper centrosomal positioning. We have examined KIF9 function in mammalian cells...
Show moreThe kinesin superfamily of microtubule motor proteins is subdivided into families based upon structure and function. KIF9 is the founding member of the Kinesin-9 family, which is a largely uncharacterized group of kinesins. It was originally identified by sequence homology to other kinesins. Subsequent studies have shown that KIF9 interacts with proteins involved in cell shape remodeling, cell migration and proper centrosomal positioning. We have examined KIF9 function in mammalian cells using shRNA-mediated knockdown and GFP-plasmid overexpression. By knocking dow KIF9 expression in these cells, we have seen several effects on normal cell cycle progression. Using various cell cycle markers, we have observed a decrease in the number of cells in late S phase. In addition, there is a marked increase in the number of cells in early mitosis in unexpected time intervals. We propose that KIF9 is required for proper cell progression, via a potentially novel checkpoint mechanism.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359321, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT3359321
- Subject Headings
- Cell organelles, Formation, Cellular signal transduction, Protoplasmic streaming, Cells, Motility, Cell division, Research
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Construction of mitochondrion-targeted telomerase for analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Creator
- Martin, Ricardo., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
-
Telomerase is associated with telomere production and nDNA protection. However, studies by Santos et al. have demonstrated that human telomerase has a mitochondrial entry sequence and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide it has been found inside the mitochondrion and may cause mitochondrial DNA mutations. Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains telomerase, but it does not have the mitochondrial entry sequence. To determine if the presence of telomerase in the mitochondria can induce mutations an...
Show moreTelomerase is associated with telomere production and nDNA protection. However, studies by Santos et al. have demonstrated that human telomerase has a mitochondrial entry sequence and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide it has been found inside the mitochondrion and may cause mitochondrial DNA mutations. Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains telomerase, but it does not have the mitochondrial entry sequence. To determine if the presence of telomerase in the mitochondria can induce mutations an experiment was developed in which a mitochondrion entry sequence would be fused to the S. cerevisiae telomerase enzyme. This fusion could then be screened in S. cerevisiae with an ade2 mutation for a simple color assay of mitochondrial activity. To date, no successful transformant has been identified. The frequency of incorrect ligations has been recognized and may indicate that the desired fusion is lethal to E. coli cells.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/209994
- Subject Headings
- Cell membranes, Formation, Mitochondrial DNA, Mutation (Biology), Cell metabolism
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Knockdown of KIF9 leads to defects in mitotic entry and progression in mammalian cells.
- Creator
- Alsina, Laura., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
-
Kinesin motors bind to microtubules and function in mitosis and intracellular transport depending on the position of the motor domain within the primary sequence (Hirokawa and Noda 2008). KIF9 has recently been shown to be involved in MTOC positioning and mitotic entry in Dictyostelium (Tikhonenko et al. 2009). To determine if a similar role for KIF9 exists in mammalian cells, we are using siRNA-mediated knockdown of KIF9 in COS-7 cells. Analysis of unsynchronized and cell-cycle synchronized...
Show moreKinesin motors bind to microtubules and function in mitosis and intracellular transport depending on the position of the motor domain within the primary sequence (Hirokawa and Noda 2008). KIF9 has recently been shown to be involved in MTOC positioning and mitotic entry in Dictyostelium (Tikhonenko et al. 2009). To determine if a similar role for KIF9 exists in mammalian cells, we are using siRNA-mediated knockdown of KIF9 in COS-7 cells. Analysis of unsynchronized and cell-cycle synchronized cells treated with siRNA to KIF9 reveal that the transition from G2 to M phase is delayed and that mitotic progression is also affected. Additionally, our data indicates that spindle pole function during anaphase may be abnormal in cells treated with siRNA, suggesting a role for KIF9 during that stage.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3334255
- Subject Headings
- Cells, Motility, Protoplasmic streaming, Cell organelles, Formation, Cellular signal transduction
- Format
- Document (PDF)