Characterization of Specter, a Cell Cycle Mutant of Zebrafish cyclin B 1
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Authors
Singh, Jyotika
Issue Date
2013
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The cell cycle is a very important system for the maintenance and development of
an organism. Thus, this system is highly regulated to ensure DNA is replicated
successfully. There are many regulatory proteins involved in this system one of which is
Cyclin B 1, a protein that complexes with cyclin dependent kinase 1 and controls entry
into mitosis from the G2 phase. Studies have shown that down regulation of Cyclin B 1
can possibly treat cancer.
The present study looked at specter mutant in zebrafish that is hypothesized to
have a mutation in eye/in B 1. Specter displays a similar phenotype to a previous! y
identified zebrafish cyclin B 1 mutant. This study aimed to characterize and sequence
specter to show that it in fact does harbor a mutation in eye/in Bl, and also learn more
about this protein and how its absence may affect the whole organism. Specter mutants
showed a lower number of mitotic cells, that were also abnormally shaped and did not
migrate to the neural tube, compared to their wild-type siblings after the 15-somite stage.
Other in situ experiments showed fewer neural precursors in specter mutants compared to
their wild-type siblings. Caspase-3 antibody, a marker of apoptosis, showed higher levels
of apoptosis in the brain. A nonsense mutation was detected when the specter eye/in Bl
gene was sequenced. Although, the data support the hypothesis that specter is a mutation
of cyclin B 1, further research would help to learn more about the effect of manipulating
levels of this protein on the whole body and its efficiency as a possible cancer·treatment.
Description
iv, 38 p;
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.