Presentation Title
Localization Mechanism of Telomerase in Aspergillus nidulans
Location
Lilliard Science Center A 044
Abstract
Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes at the ends of chromosomes that protect the termini from degradation and fusion. The enzyme complex, telomerase, consists of the TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) and the TER (telomerase RNA), and maintains the length of telomeres. Our lab has been studying where in the cell these two components assemble in Aspergillus nidulans, a filamentous fungus that can exhibit a multi-nucleate state known as heterokaryon. Preliminary evidence using heterokaryons suggests that TER does not leave the nucleus. I am now studying where TERT localizes by knocking out the gene. To accomplish this, I amplified TERT left and right DNA flanking fragments and fused them with a genetic marker in between. I will use this genetic marker to transform A. nidulans and create a TERT knockout strain. By analyzing the obtained knockout strain, I hope to gain insight into the localization mechanism of TERT in A. nidulans, and to compare this to the localization of TER. These studies will help reveal how the components of this essential protein complex find each other and are maintained.
Presentation Type
Individual Presentation
Start Date
4-10-2018 10:30 AM
End Date
4-10-2018 11:45 AM
Panel
Scientific Studies
Panel Moderator
Lynette Foss
Field of Study for Presentation
Biology
Localization Mechanism of Telomerase in Aspergillus nidulans
Lilliard Science Center A 044
Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes at the ends of chromosomes that protect the termini from degradation and fusion. The enzyme complex, telomerase, consists of the TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) and the TER (telomerase RNA), and maintains the length of telomeres. Our lab has been studying where in the cell these two components assemble in Aspergillus nidulans, a filamentous fungus that can exhibit a multi-nucleate state known as heterokaryon. Preliminary evidence using heterokaryons suggests that TER does not leave the nucleus. I am now studying where TERT localizes by knocking out the gene. To accomplish this, I amplified TERT left and right DNA flanking fragments and fused them with a genetic marker in between. I will use this genetic marker to transform A. nidulans and create a TERT knockout strain. By analyzing the obtained knockout strain, I hope to gain insight into the localization mechanism of TERT in A. nidulans, and to compare this to the localization of TER. These studies will help reveal how the components of this essential protein complex find each other and are maintained.