Examining the Interaction of the T. vaginalis homologues of RAD51 and DMC1 with TvBRCA2 via Yeast 2- Hybrid Assays
Poster Number
21
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Lisa Wrischnik
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
Trichomonous vaginalis is a protist parasite that is responsible for approximately 280 million cases of trichomoniasis every year. The disease causes vaginitis. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, noxious discharge and irritation of the vagina (males are often asymptomatic). Most importantly, it leads to susceptibility to other sexually transmitted diseases and premature birth if pregnant women become infected. The parasite is evolving resistance to the main drug used to treat it: metronidazole. Although no one has ever confirmed a sexual stage in the Trichomonas life cycle, the parasite contains many of the genes responsible for meiotic recombination events, such as RAD51 and DMC. Sexual recombination could lead to the spread of resistance among different populations. One major question is whether these meiotic genes are functioning in a similar fashion as their homologues in other organisms. We used Yeast 2-Hybrid Assays to examine protein-protein interactions of RAD51 and DMC with proteins known to interact with their homologues in other organisms, such as BRCA2. If this is successful, it not only confirms that T. vaginalis RAD51 and DMC proteins are capable of interacting with BRCA2 as in other organisms, but also confirms we can use these proteins in Yeast 2-Hybrid library screens to look for new binding partners.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
30-4-2016 10:00 AM
End Date
30-4-2016 12:00 PM
Examining the Interaction of the T. vaginalis homologues of RAD51 and DMC1 with TvBRCA2 via Yeast 2- Hybrid Assays
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Trichomonous vaginalis is a protist parasite that is responsible for approximately 280 million cases of trichomoniasis every year. The disease causes vaginitis. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, noxious discharge and irritation of the vagina (males are often asymptomatic). Most importantly, it leads to susceptibility to other sexually transmitted diseases and premature birth if pregnant women become infected. The parasite is evolving resistance to the main drug used to treat it: metronidazole. Although no one has ever confirmed a sexual stage in the Trichomonas life cycle, the parasite contains many of the genes responsible for meiotic recombination events, such as RAD51 and DMC. Sexual recombination could lead to the spread of resistance among different populations. One major question is whether these meiotic genes are functioning in a similar fashion as their homologues in other organisms. We used Yeast 2-Hybrid Assays to examine protein-protein interactions of RAD51 and DMC with proteins known to interact with their homologues in other organisms, such as BRCA2. If this is successful, it not only confirms that T. vaginalis RAD51 and DMC proteins are capable of interacting with BRCA2 as in other organisms, but also confirms we can use these proteins in Yeast 2-Hybrid library screens to look for new binding partners.