Skip to main content
Duke University Libraries
DukeSpace Scholarship by Duke Authors
  • Login
  • Ask
  • Menu
  • Login
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Search & Find
  • Using the Library
  • Research Support
  • Course Support
  • Libraries
  • About
View Item 
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Duke Dissertations
  • View Item
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Duke Dissertations
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Pumilio-mediated Repression of mRNAs in the Early Drosophila Melanogaster Embryo

Thumbnail
View / Download
1.2 Mb
Date
2009
Author
Nomie, Krystle Joli
Advisor
Wharton, Robin P
Repository Usage Stats
412
views
431
downloads
Abstract

Post-transcriptional regulation plays an important role in governing various processes in all organisms. The development of the early embryo of <italic>Drosophila melanogaster</italic> is governed solely by post-transcriptional mechanisms; therefore, further insights into post-transcriptional regulation can be gained by studying the <italic>Drosophila </italic> embryo. This thesis addresses the actions of the translational repressor, Pumilio, in regulating two mRNAs during early embryogenesis. First, we examined the ability of Pumilio to regulate the mRNA stability of <italic>bicoid</italic>, a gene required for <italic>Drosophila </italic> head development. <italic>bicoid</italic> mRNA contains the canonical Pumilio recognition site, termed the Nanos response element (NRE), within the 3'UTR. Interestingly, we show that Pumilio binds to the NRE both in vitro and in vivo; however, no physiological significance is associated with this interaction. Furthermore, in <italic> pumilio</italic> mutant embryos <italic>bicoid</italic> mRNA stability and translation are unaltered, demonstrating that Pumilio does not regulate <italic>bicoid</italic> mRNA. Second, Pumilio has been shown to negatively regulate <italic>Cyclin B</italic>, the cyclin necessary for mitotic entry, in the somatic cytoplasm of the embryo and this repression is alleviated by the PNG Kinase complex through currently unidentified mechanisms. We further investigated the actions of Pumilio in regulating <italic>Cyclin B</italic> and discovered that the canonical partner of Pumilio, Nanos, is not involved in repressing somatic <italic>Cyclin B</italic>. Furthermore, we show that the 3'UTR of <italic>Cyclin B</italic> is not required for the regulation by Pumilio and the PNG Kinase complex. Lastly, through genetic analyses, we conclude that Pumilio may actually act upstream of the PNG Kinase complex to regulate <italic>Cyclin B</italic>.

Type
Dissertation
Department
Cell Biology
Subject
Biology, Genetics
Biology, Cell
Biology, Molecular
bicoid
Cyclin B
Drosophila melanogaster
post
transcriptional regulation
Pumilio
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/1309
Citation
Nomie, Krystle Joli (2009). Pumilio-mediated Repression of mRNAs in the Early Drosophila Melanogaster Embryo. Dissertation, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/1309.
Collections
  • Duke Dissertations
More Info
Show full item record
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Rights for Collection: Duke Dissertations


Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info

Make Your Work Available Here

How to Deposit

Browse

All of DukeSpaceCommunities & CollectionsAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit DateThis CollectionAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit Date

My Account

LoginRegister

Statistics

View Usage Statistics
Duke University Libraries

Contact Us

411 Chapel Drive
Durham, NC 27708
(919) 660-5870
Perkins Library Service Desk

Digital Repositories at Duke

  • Report a problem with the repositories
  • About digital repositories at Duke
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Deaccession and DMCA Takedown Policy

TwitterFacebookYouTubeFlickrInstagramBlogs

Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Re-use & Attribution / Privacy
  • Harmful Language Statement
  • Support the Libraries
Duke University