Centrosomes, the polar anchors of the mitotic spindle, are required for cell cycle progression. Depletion of centriolin, a core centrosomal protein, results in cytokinesis defects and cell cycle arrest, which may lead to cell death. Therefore, one major project goal was to investigate the effect of centriolin depletion in RPE cells. Preliminary experiments had suggested centriolin depletion induces cell death. Another aim was to determine whether CRYAB overexpression could rescue the cell death phenotype. CRYAB, a small heat shock protein, localizes to centrosomes and has antiapoptotic properties. Based on cell proliferation and apoptosis comparisons, this study demonstrates the CRYAB may rescue cells from centriolin depletion-induced cell death.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Viel, Catherine Nicole

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-041910-113639

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2010

Sponsor

• Stephen Doxsey, UMass Medical Center

Date created

• 2010-04-19

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright