Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Human Biology
Second Department
<--Please Select Department-->
Reader 1
Aditi Vyas
Reader 2
Jenna Monroy
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2023 Kelsey M Shintaku
Abstract
S. pombe, or fission yeast, is a model organism that has been critical in our understanding of cell division, offering potential insights into cancer. Dsk1 and Kic1 are two important kinases that affect cell division. Dsk1 regulates splicing, the cellular localization of SR proteins, and the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. Kic1 is a dual-specificity kinase that plays a role in the regulation of splicing, formation of the cell and septal wall, and cytokinesis. The proteins through which the kinases impact cell division are still not well understood. Previous research has shown that the deletion of these kinases affects the growth of the cell, with Kic1 deletions slowing cell cycle progression. These findings can be expanded on by identifying the pathways through which these kinases influence cellular processes and recognize Cdr2 as a potential target. The utilization of kinase deletion strains helps identify how kinases influence Cdr2. Cdr2, a serine/threonine protein kinase, was identified as a potential target of Dsk1. The present study investigated the effect of Dsk1 and Kic1 kinase deletions on Cdr2-GFP localization in fission yeast. PCR based GFP tagging, fluorescence microscopy, and immunofluorescence investigations were used to observe Cdr2-GFP location in the absence of these two LAMMER-like kinases. Results indicate that Dsk1 and Kic1 impact cell division by affecting the timing of the mitotic phase and cdr2-GFP localization. Kinase deletion strains showed greater septal wall Cdr2-GFP localization compared to the WT, suggesting alterations of septal wall element interactions. This may stem from physical interference with other proteins or changes in the location of Cdr2. Dsk1 and Kic1 displayed a granulated alpha tubulin pattern and a slowed entrance or progression through the mitotic phase. This study holds significance as Cdrs, these kinases, and SR proteins have human orthologs, extending its implications to the medical field such as cancer research.
Recommended Citation
Shintaku, Kelsey, "The Effect of Dsk1 and Kic1 Kinase Deletions on Cdr-2-GFP Localization in Fission Yeast" (2024). Pitzer Senior Theses. 180.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/pitzer_theses/180
