Expression and Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein FAM171B
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
20-4-2015 10:00 AM
End Date
20-4-2015 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Geoffrey Goellner
Mentor's Email Address
geoffrey.goellner@mnsu.edu
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
FAM171B is an uncharacterized protein identified via the human genome sequencing project that contains a polyglutamine (polyQ) stretch within its primary amino acid sequence. PolyQ tract proteins are particularly interesting, as expansion mutations within them have been shown to underlie a significant number of severe neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s Disease and Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Using a bioinformatics approach, we find that FAM171B not only contains a polyQ region near its amino-terminus, but is also likely expressed in the nervous system. Additionally, it contains both a putative transmembrane domain and an A-T hook DNA-binding domain. Overall, bioinformatics suggests that FAM171B may normally function within neuronal nuclei, and mutations within the polyQ tract of FAM171B may potentially be linked to a neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we set out to shed light on the normal cellular function of FAM171B by identifying its expression pattern and intracellular localization. Using a western blot assay, we find that FAM171B is likely expressed in both HEK and HELA cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescence suggests both a nuclear and cytoplasmic intracellular localization consistent with bioinformatics predictions. Interestingly, we find that FAM171B strongly localizes to regions of heterochromatin including condensed mitotic chromosomes and peripheral compartments of the nucleolus. Therefore, our data is consistent with the idea that FAM171B is indeed expressed, and normally functions in the nucleus to aid in chromatin packaging.
Expression and Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein FAM171B
CSU Ballroom
FAM171B is an uncharacterized protein identified via the human genome sequencing project that contains a polyglutamine (polyQ) stretch within its primary amino acid sequence. PolyQ tract proteins are particularly interesting, as expansion mutations within them have been shown to underlie a significant number of severe neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s Disease and Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Using a bioinformatics approach, we find that FAM171B not only contains a polyQ region near its amino-terminus, but is also likely expressed in the nervous system. Additionally, it contains both a putative transmembrane domain and an A-T hook DNA-binding domain. Overall, bioinformatics suggests that FAM171B may normally function within neuronal nuclei, and mutations within the polyQ tract of FAM171B may potentially be linked to a neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we set out to shed light on the normal cellular function of FAM171B by identifying its expression pattern and intracellular localization. Using a western blot assay, we find that FAM171B is likely expressed in both HEK and HELA cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescence suggests both a nuclear and cytoplasmic intracellular localization consistent with bioinformatics predictions. Interestingly, we find that FAM171B strongly localizes to regions of heterochromatin including condensed mitotic chromosomes and peripheral compartments of the nucleolus. Therefore, our data is consistent with the idea that FAM171B is indeed expressed, and normally functions in the nucleus to aid in chromatin packaging.
Recommended Citation
Kraft, Robert. "Expression and Localization of the Novel Polyglutamine Protein FAM171B." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 20, 2015.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2015/poster_session_A/4
