Protein Interactions of Iqg1 and Mutants with Formins
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biology
Research Advisor
Shannon, Katie
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
Cytokinesis is a biological mechanism essential for both types of cell division. In mitosis, cytokinesis is required for the production of two identical daughter cells from a parent cell, and in telophase I and telophase II of meiosis, which produces four genetically distinct haploid gametes, cytokinesis plays a key role in the final separation of the cells.
Using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism, ongoing research will test the effect of mutations in an essential protein (Iqg1) involved in forming the actomyosin contractile ring during cytokinesis. Techniques to examine protein-protein interactions are used to explore the relationship of wild-type Iqg1 and two of its mutants with the formins Brn1, and Bni1 (actin nucleators). Learning more about the binding of Iqg1 to formins and their role in the process of cytokinesis is important, as this interaction is conserved from yeast to human cells.
Biography
Frank is an undergraduate student in the Biological Sciences program seeking a Bachelor's degree. As a non-traditional student he is looking forward to doing research in the academic field after graduating and pursuing a higher degree. Frank retired after thirty years working as a portrait photographer in December 2016. He took part-time online college courses in the spring and fall of 2016 at Moberly Area Community College while still working, then one full semester in the spring of 2017 after retiring, to acquire an Associates’ Degree in STEM studies. Frank is currently in his fourth semester at MS&T, graduating in the fall of 2019. Frank has been doing research in Dr. Katie Shannon’s cytokinesis laboratory, and will continue to do so until graduation.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2019, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Protein Interactions of Iqg1 and Mutants with Formins
Upper Atrium
Cytokinesis is a biological mechanism essential for both types of cell division. In mitosis, cytokinesis is required for the production of two identical daughter cells from a parent cell, and in telophase I and telophase II of meiosis, which produces four genetically distinct haploid gametes, cytokinesis plays a key role in the final separation of the cells.
Using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism, ongoing research will test the effect of mutations in an essential protein (Iqg1) involved in forming the actomyosin contractile ring during cytokinesis. Techniques to examine protein-protein interactions are used to explore the relationship of wild-type Iqg1 and two of its mutants with the formins Brn1, and Bni1 (actin nucleators). Learning more about the binding of Iqg1 to formins and their role in the process of cytokinesis is important, as this interaction is conserved from yeast to human cells.
