The long term goals of this research are to determine how eukaryotic cells orient and position the contractile actin ring during cytokinesis. The precise orientation of cell division planes can impart different fates to daughter cells and is of fundamental importance to all eukaryotic cells. It has long been known that the ailment of the mitotic spindle dictates the axis of cleavage, however the mechanism by which the components of the mitotic spindle, namely the microtubules, communicates this information to the cell is unknown. We are studying the process in the fungus, Aspergillus nidulans. A. nidulans has a rich history as a model genetic organism for studies of mitosis and microtubule-mediated processes. The cells of A. nidulans are divided by crosswalls called septa and the process of septation involves a contractile acting ring whose formation is dependent on microtubules. Mutational analysis has been used to define a collection of genes required for septation. A group of these genes, sepH, sepD and sepG, appear to be specifically involved in actin ring formation and their function requires microtubules. The sepH gene encodes a protein kinase proposed to be involved in signaling actin ring formation. sepD and sepG are candidate genes for additional components of this signaling pathway.
The specific aims of this proposal are to identify the products of these genes and determine their biochemical role in actin ring formation. Specific probes will be developed to investigate actin ring formation in living cells. Novel genetic screens have been devised to identify additional components of this signaling pathway. The central hypothesis to be tested is that these genes represent part of conserved signaling pathway for actin ring formation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM049867-05
Application #
2694670
Study Section
Cellular Biology and Physiology Subcommittee 1 (CBY)
Project Start
1994-05-01
Project End
2002-06-30
Budget Start
1998-07-01
Budget End
1999-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Purdue University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
072051394
City
West Lafayette
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47907