Drosophila Ctf4 is essential for genome stability and normal cell cycle progression

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Justin A. Gosnell (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

Tim Christensen

Abstract: Proper DNA replication and well-timed cell cycle progression are vital to the normal functioning of a cell. Precise coordination between these mechanisms' constituent proteins ensures their processivity while safeguarding against DNA damage. The Ctf4 protein is a central member of the replication fork and links the replicative MCM helicase and polymerase [alpha]-primase. In addition it has been implicated as a member of a complex that promotes replication fork stability the Fork Protection Complex (FPC). This investigation represents the first phenotypic analysis of the function of the Ctf4 protein within a multicellular organism model. We show that Ctf4 interacts with Polymerase [alpha] MCM2 Psf1 and Psf2. We also demonstrate that knockdown of this central replication fork component via a GAL4-UAS RNAi system results in a lower frequency of mitosis due to an S-phase delay endoreplication defects as well as mitotic bridging in early embryonic development. 

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Date: 2011

Keywords

Molecular biology, Genetics, Biology, Ctf4, Endoreplication, FPC

Subjects

DNA polymerases

Protein binding

DNA replication

Cell cycle

Eukaryotic cells

Genomes

Drosophila

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