DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/N51J-0Z89

Defense Date

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Human Genetics

First Advisor

Larisa Litovchick

Abstract

DYRK1A is a protein kinase encoded by a gene implicated in Down syndrome pathogenesis. Loss of DYRK1A could promote oncogenic transformation. However, the regulation and substrates of DYRK1A are not fully understood. MudPIT proteomic analysis revealed novel DYRK1A interacting proteins with poorly characterized or even unknown functions. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to understand the function of DYRK1A through the characterization of its interacting proteins. To achieve this aim, we established stable cell lines expressing these proteins and confirmed the interactions between DYRK1A and seven candidate binding partners. Furthermore, we found that all novel DYRK1A-interacting proteins also bind DCAF7, a previously reported DYRK1A-binding scaffold protein that binds to the N-terminus of DYRK1A. Using cyto-nuclear fractionation and immunostaining we found that DYRK1A-interacting proteins were present in different cellular compartments, suggesting that DYRK1A could play distinct roles in the cell depending on its localization. DYRK1A has been shown to regulate cell proliferation and actin cytoskeleton therefore we used cell proliferation assays and actin staining to determine the role of DYRK1A-interacting proteins in these processes. Here we report functional characterization of the interacting partners of DYRK1A and present cell-based models that will help to understand the function and regulation of this important protein kinase.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-1-2015

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