Interaction and Over-Expression of the Protein Kinase Nek2 in Relation to Centrosome Appendages in Leukemia Cells
School Name
Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Cell and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type
Mentored
Written Paper Award
4th Place
Abstract
The second highest cause of death is cancer, a disease caused by uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. Centrosomes, organelles that facilitate cell division, have a possible role in cancer. One of the unique traits of centrosomes are the presence of distal appendages, which are noticeably lesser in leukemia cells. NIMA-Related Kinase 2 (Nek2), an early acting protein kinase, has been found to be associated with the disappearance of these distal appendages. The aims of this research are (a) to conduct Western Blot analysis to determine expression of Nek2 in various leukemia cell lines; (b) to conduct an Immunofluorescence Assay to identify and compare levels of centrosome appendages in these cells; and (c) to conduct a Yeast Two Hybrid system to determine Nek2 interaction with other proteins in the centrosome cascade. The results indicate that U937 and K562 cell lines had the greatest overexpression of Nek2, while KG1a cell line had one of the lowest expression, but still higher than normal cells. The results also showed that K562 and KG1a had no significant differences in the number of centrosome appendages, while U937 and KG1a had a significant difference in the number of centrosome appendages. Finally, the results for Yeast Two Hybrid system indicated that Nek2 did interact with the truncated version of certain kinase proteins in the centrosome pathway.
Recommended Citation
Maisuria, Eesha, "Interaction and Over-Expression of the Protein Kinase Nek2 in Relation to Centrosome Appendages in Leukemia Cells" (2018). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 22.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2018/all/22
Location
Neville theater
Start Date
4-14-2018 11:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Interaction and Over-Expression of the Protein Kinase Nek2 in Relation to Centrosome Appendages in Leukemia Cells
Neville theater
The second highest cause of death is cancer, a disease caused by uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. Centrosomes, organelles that facilitate cell division, have a possible role in cancer. One of the unique traits of centrosomes are the presence of distal appendages, which are noticeably lesser in leukemia cells. NIMA-Related Kinase 2 (Nek2), an early acting protein kinase, has been found to be associated with the disappearance of these distal appendages. The aims of this research are (a) to conduct Western Blot analysis to determine expression of Nek2 in various leukemia cell lines; (b) to conduct an Immunofluorescence Assay to identify and compare levels of centrosome appendages in these cells; and (c) to conduct a Yeast Two Hybrid system to determine Nek2 interaction with other proteins in the centrosome cascade. The results indicate that U937 and K562 cell lines had the greatest overexpression of Nek2, while KG1a cell line had one of the lowest expression, but still higher than normal cells. The results also showed that K562 and KG1a had no significant differences in the number of centrosome appendages, while U937 and KG1a had a significant difference in the number of centrosome appendages. Finally, the results for Yeast Two Hybrid system indicated that Nek2 did interact with the truncated version of certain kinase proteins in the centrosome pathway.
