Intracellular Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein KIAA1946
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
28-4-2009 10:00 AM
End Date
28-4-2009 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Geoffrey M. Goellner
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Description
Of the more than 20,000 proteins coded for within our human genome, a significant percentage remains completely unstudied. One such uncharacterized gene product is the novel 92kDa protein KIAA1946. While little is known regarding KIAA1946's molecular function in cells, two important features can be inferred from bioinformatic analysis of its protein sequence: (1) it is likely a transmembrane protein, and (2) it contains a polyglutamine (polyQ) region. This last feature is particularly interesting since a number of severe neurodegenerative disorders (Ex. Huntington's Disease) are caused by mutation of the polyQ stretch within their respective gene products. As an initial step in characterizing the cellular function of KIAA1946, our lab has constructed a KIAA1946-GFP fusion protein, and performed fluorescent microscopy localization experiments in tissue culture cells. Consistent with the bioinformatic data, these early experiments showed that KIAA1946 displays a vesicular staining pattern in the cytoplasm of Cos-7 cells- reminiscent of endosomes or lysosomes. In this study, we employ a co-immunofluorescence assay (with known endosomal and lysosomal marker proteins) to definitively determine which vesicular compartment KIAA1946 localizes to. Our preliminary data suggests that KIAA1946 is likely an endosomal-associated protein.
Intracellular Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein KIAA1946
CSU Ballroom
Of the more than 20,000 proteins coded for within our human genome, a significant percentage remains completely unstudied. One such uncharacterized gene product is the novel 92kDa protein KIAA1946. While little is known regarding KIAA1946's molecular function in cells, two important features can be inferred from bioinformatic analysis of its protein sequence: (1) it is likely a transmembrane protein, and (2) it contains a polyglutamine (polyQ) region. This last feature is particularly interesting since a number of severe neurodegenerative disorders (Ex. Huntington's Disease) are caused by mutation of the polyQ stretch within their respective gene products. As an initial step in characterizing the cellular function of KIAA1946, our lab has constructed a KIAA1946-GFP fusion protein, and performed fluorescent microscopy localization experiments in tissue culture cells. Consistent with the bioinformatic data, these early experiments showed that KIAA1946 displays a vesicular staining pattern in the cytoplasm of Cos-7 cells- reminiscent of endosomes or lysosomes. In this study, we employ a co-immunofluorescence assay (with known endosomal and lysosomal marker proteins) to definitively determine which vesicular compartment KIAA1946 localizes to. Our preliminary data suggests that KIAA1946 is likely an endosomal-associated protein.
Recommended Citation
Haus, Daniel L.. "Intracellular Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein KIAA1946." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 28, 2009.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2009/poster-session-C/3
