ZipK Influence on Apoptosis and Cell Migration
Poster Number
69
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Douglas Weiser
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is important for numerous physiological functions and in preventing tumor formation. ZipK is a member of the DAPk family of serine/threonine kinases that regulates apoptosis. ZipK is also implicated in the regulation of cell migration. Two of its main substrates are myosin light chain and mypt1. Mypt1 has a role in cell movement during gastrulation, a stage of early vertebrate development. Studies have shown that cell movement during gastrulation is similar to cell movement in cancer. Thus, these experiments will give insights into how ZipK regulates processes associated with cancer. In order to study the effects of ZipK and its substrates on apoptosis and cell migration, the Weiser lab sought to purify zebrafish ZipK protein expressed in E. coli cells. Although ZipK is found in vertebrates, zebrafish was chosen as the genetic model as rodents show significant divergence in their gene sequence for ZipK. Some of the methods used include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Gel Electrophoresis, Silica Gel Isolation, and Restriction Digests. Attempts to express full-length ZipK showed poor expression. It was hypothesized that the GST construct of the E. coli expression vector was too large to be expressed efficiently. Recently, we have generated a truncated GST segment and will attempt to express this construct in E. coli.
Location
Grave Covell
Start Date
21-4-2012 10:00 AM
End Date
21-4-2012 12:00 PM
ZipK Influence on Apoptosis and Cell Migration
Grave Covell
Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is important for numerous physiological functions and in preventing tumor formation. ZipK is a member of the DAPk family of serine/threonine kinases that regulates apoptosis. ZipK is also implicated in the regulation of cell migration. Two of its main substrates are myosin light chain and mypt1. Mypt1 has a role in cell movement during gastrulation, a stage of early vertebrate development. Studies have shown that cell movement during gastrulation is similar to cell movement in cancer. Thus, these experiments will give insights into how ZipK regulates processes associated with cancer. In order to study the effects of ZipK and its substrates on apoptosis and cell migration, the Weiser lab sought to purify zebrafish ZipK protein expressed in E. coli cells. Although ZipK is found in vertebrates, zebrafish was chosen as the genetic model as rodents show significant divergence in their gene sequence for ZipK. Some of the methods used include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Gel Electrophoresis, Silica Gel Isolation, and Restriction Digests. Attempts to express full-length ZipK showed poor expression. It was hypothesized that the GST construct of the E. coli expression vector was too large to be expressed efficiently. Recently, we have generated a truncated GST segment and will attempt to express this construct in E. coli.