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Mapping and Characterizing aura , a Cytokinesis Mutant
Author(s) -
Solanki Bharti Teresa,
Pelegri Francisco
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.629.2
Subject(s) - cytokinesis , biology , zebrafish , cell division , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , genetic screen , forward genetics , mutant , gene , cell
A fundamental biological phenomenon during embryogenesis in animal cells is the process of cell division, an event that divides daughter cells in two. The completion of cytokinesis often results in the asymmetric segregation of cell determinants, thereby allowing the two daughter cells to proceed towards diverse cell fates. Many of these processes are driven and regulated by maternal products already present in the unfertilized egg. A recessive maternal‐effect mutation, aura , was identified in a zebrafish gynogenesis‐based screen. Preliminary evidence indicates that aura affects several events during early development that may be dependent on microtubule cytoskeletal rearrangements. aura mutants exhibit defects in cortical granule exocytosis, the recruitment of cell adhesion components to the furrow, germ plasm segregation and late cytokinesis. A positional cloning approach was used to determine the location and identity of aura . A lesion in a candidate gene has been found and rescue efforts are now underway to confirm the identity of the gene. Cell biology, genetic, and experimental approaches are being used to characterize aura gene function further. Together, these studies will contribute to understanding the function and regulation of aura and its role in the cytokinesis pathway. Sources of funding: NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA MARC Fellowhship and NIH R01 Grant.