Roll of factors and interacting proteins in Cbfa1 function

Sullivan, Andrew John

Student Work

Roll of factors and interacting proteins in Cbfa1 function

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Cbfa1 is a protein thought to function as an activator of osseous genes. This MQP project was designed to test the role of various cell stimulation factors (including TGF, BMP2) and proteins that interact with Cbfa1 (like YAP) on the cellular levels and function of Cbfa1. Levels of Cbfa1 and its mRNA were assayed using in situ immunofluorescence, westerns and northern blots. Biochemical fractionation and coimmunoprecipitation experiments were used to prove that Cbfa1 interacts with YAP in the cell. Although the effects of TGFb and BMP2 proved to be inconclusive and unclear, the interaction of Cbfa1 and YAP produced interesting results. It was shown that YAP moves into the nucleus on its own, but relies on Cbfa1 to target it to the nuclear matrix, regulating the function of Cbfa1 in repressing effect.

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.

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