Event Title
Intracellular Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein FAM171B - Searching for Localization Using a Recently Available Antibody
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
16-4-2013 10:00 AM
End Date
16-4-2013 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Geoffrey Goellner
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
FAM171B contains a polyglutamine (polyQ) region within its primary amino acid sequence. Proteins containing polyglutamine mutations have been linked to numerous severe neurodegenerative disorders. In such polyQ disorders, the glutamine sequence extends beyond normal range leading to specific cell loss within the brain and consequent disease. Whether the newly identified polyQ protein FAM171B will ever be linked to a disease is unknown; however, because of their common role in neurodegenerative disease polyQ proteins in general are fascinating. Furthermore, discovering the function of a novel human protein from its localization will advance the field of cellular biology. In this study, we are interested in characterizing the functional role FAM171B plays in cells. This lab has attempted to find the localization of FAM171B in two previous attempts. In the first experiment, we constructed a FAM171B-GFP fusion protein and performed fluorescent microscopy studies to identify its intracellular localization within tissue culture cells. We found that FAM171B-GFP displays a vesicular staining pattern throughout the cytoplasm of cells. However, in an effort to verify this localization using a different standard biological technique, called immunofluorescence, our results showed a strong localization to structures in the nuclei that appear to be the nucleoli, as well as potential co-localization with mitochondria. To definitively determine the intracellular localization of FAM171B, we will employ a standard cell biological assay called immunofluorescence using a newly available antibody. At the conclusion of these experiments, we should have high quality data regarding where our unknown protein, FAM171B, localizes to within cells.
Intracellular Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein FAM171B - Searching for Localization Using a Recently Available Antibody
CSU Ballroom
FAM171B contains a polyglutamine (polyQ) region within its primary amino acid sequence. Proteins containing polyglutamine mutations have been linked to numerous severe neurodegenerative disorders. In such polyQ disorders, the glutamine sequence extends beyond normal range leading to specific cell loss within the brain and consequent disease. Whether the newly identified polyQ protein FAM171B will ever be linked to a disease is unknown; however, because of their common role in neurodegenerative disease polyQ proteins in general are fascinating. Furthermore, discovering the function of a novel human protein from its localization will advance the field of cellular biology. In this study, we are interested in characterizing the functional role FAM171B plays in cells. This lab has attempted to find the localization of FAM171B in two previous attempts. In the first experiment, we constructed a FAM171B-GFP fusion protein and performed fluorescent microscopy studies to identify its intracellular localization within tissue culture cells. We found that FAM171B-GFP displays a vesicular staining pattern throughout the cytoplasm of cells. However, in an effort to verify this localization using a different standard biological technique, called immunofluorescence, our results showed a strong localization to structures in the nuclei that appear to be the nucleoli, as well as potential co-localization with mitochondria. To definitively determine the intracellular localization of FAM171B, we will employ a standard cell biological assay called immunofluorescence using a newly available antibody. At the conclusion of these experiments, we should have high quality data regarding where our unknown protein, FAM171B, localizes to within cells.
Recommended Citation
Pape, Bradley and Allison Helget. "Intracellular Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein FAM171B - Searching for Localization Using a Recently Available Antibody." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/poster-session-A/14
