Location
Havener Center, Carver/Turner Room, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Start Date
4-1-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-1-2026 2:30 PM
Presentation Date
April 1, 2026; 2:00pm-2:30pm
Description
The Mitotic Exit Network (MEN) is a signaling pathway that allows a dividing cell to exit cytokinesis. Dbf2 is a MEN protein kinase in yeast, which provides a simplified model for studying this pathway. By altering Dbf2’s activity through phosphorylation mutants, its effect on cytokinesis can be studied. Transformed cells with a mutant and degron Dbf2 allele are prompted to destroy the degron Dbf2 protein, leaving only mutated Dbf2 behind. This allows for clear analysis of the effect of the phosphorylation mutant on division. Fluorescence microscopy can be used to visualise this degradation, and the impact on actin ring formation through fluorescent staining. This information is relevant to human health. Dbf2’s human homologue is within the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. Thus, mutations in this gene can lead to cancer in humans. By studying the impact of phosphorylation mutations in a simplified system, the mechanism can be better understood.
Biography
Katharine is a senior from Saint Louis, pursuing a degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry, and a degree in Biological Sciences. She is pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry after graduation. She enjoys spending time in the lab, and learning new techniques, and drawing and writing outside of school and research. She was drawn to this project due to its real-world implications in human health.
Meeting Name
2026 - Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference
Department(s)
Biological Sciences
Second Department
Chemistry
Document Type
Presentation
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 The Authors, All rights reserved
Included in
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons, Cell and Developmental Biology Commons, Chemistry Commons
Cytokinesis and Dbf2
Havener Center, Carver/Turner Room, 1:30pm-3:30pm
The Mitotic Exit Network (MEN) is a signaling pathway that allows a dividing cell to exit cytokinesis. Dbf2 is a MEN protein kinase in yeast, which provides a simplified model for studying this pathway. By altering Dbf2’s activity through phosphorylation mutants, its effect on cytokinesis can be studied. Transformed cells with a mutant and degron Dbf2 allele are prompted to destroy the degron Dbf2 protein, leaving only mutated Dbf2 behind. This allows for clear analysis of the effect of the phosphorylation mutant on division. Fluorescence microscopy can be used to visualise this degradation, and the impact on actin ring formation through fluorescent staining. This information is relevant to human health. Dbf2’s human homologue is within the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. Thus, mutations in this gene can lead to cancer in humans. By studying the impact of phosphorylation mutations in a simplified system, the mechanism can be better understood.
Comments
Advisor: Katie Shannon, shannonk@mst.edu