Preventing Phosphorylation of Hof1 PEST Motif Affects Myosin Contraction During Ccytokinesis
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biology
Research Advisor
Shannon, Katie
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Grants acquired by Dr. Katie Shannon
Abstract
The final step involved in cell division is the separation of a cell into two daughter cells by the process of cytokinesis. In budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the protein Hof 1 is needed for efficient contraction of the actomyosin ring. Hof 1 is phosphorylated during mitosis. To determine the function of this modification, mutations in the PEST domain that prevent Hof1 from being phosphorylated were created. When the mutant Hof1 was expressed from a plasmid, small bud necks and slower contraction rates were observed. Because we noticed some differences when wild type Hof1 was expressed from a plasmid instead of from the chromosomal locus, we wanted to test the effects of the Hof1 PEST phosphorylation mutations after integration into the chromosomal locus. We measured bud neck sizes and compared them to the wild type control. We also did time lapse microscopy on live cells tagged with Myo1-GFP to determine contraction rates.
Biography
Avery is a senior in the Biology department. She is an active member of Order of Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha. She has been conducting research with Dr. Shannon for two years and this is her second time presenting at the Undergraduate Research Conference. Avery plans to pursue a degree in Medicine post-graduation.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
03 Apr 2013, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Preventing Phosphorylation of Hof1 PEST Motif Affects Myosin Contraction During Ccytokinesis
Upper Atrium/Hallway
The final step involved in cell division is the separation of a cell into two daughter cells by the process of cytokinesis. In budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the protein Hof 1 is needed for efficient contraction of the actomyosin ring. Hof 1 is phosphorylated during mitosis. To determine the function of this modification, mutations in the PEST domain that prevent Hof1 from being phosphorylated were created. When the mutant Hof1 was expressed from a plasmid, small bud necks and slower contraction rates were observed. Because we noticed some differences when wild type Hof1 was expressed from a plasmid instead of from the chromosomal locus, we wanted to test the effects of the Hof1 PEST phosphorylation mutations after integration into the chromosomal locus. We measured bud neck sizes and compared them to the wild type control. We also did time lapse microscopy on live cells tagged with Myo1-GFP to determine contraction rates.
