Characterization of Dbf4/Cdc7 function in DNA replication and cell cycle checkpoint responses

DNA 复制和细胞周期检查点反应中 Dbf4/Cdc7 功能的表征

• 批准号: RGPIN-2015-06265
• 负责人: Duncker, Bernard
• 金额: $ 2.77万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=629292
• 关键词: Characterization; Dbf4; Cdc7; function; DNA

My research group is using budding yeast in studies of cell division. We are currently focusing our investigations on identifying and characterizing protein factors that control the initiation of DNA replication (duplication of the genetic material). Budding yeast has proven to be a very useful organism for such studies because it is one of the few species for which the starting points for DNA replication (origins of replication) have been well characterized. This has facilitated the identification of numerous protein factors that regulate these replication origins. Dbf4 and Cdc7 are two such proteins which work together to trigger replication. In addition to their function in DNA replication, Dbf4 and Cdc7 are important for cellular 'checkpoint' functions, which prevent duplication of DNA when it has been damaged. Research in my lab is centered on a better understanding of the way these proteins work together, and interact with other proteins in the cell, to carry out their essential roles in cell division. Importantly, versions of Dbf4 and Cdc7 appear to exist and function in much the same way in cells from a wide variety of species. Therefore, the  results of these studies will help us better determine how organisms, including humans, grow and develop, as well us help us understand how cells respond when they are exposed to environmental pollutants that cause DNA damage.

我的研究小组正在使用芽殖酵母进行细胞分裂研究，目前我们的研究重点是识别和表征控制 DNA 复制起始的蛋白质因子（芽殖酵母已被证明是一种非常有用的生物体）。因为它是 DNA 复制起点（复制起点）得到充分表征的少数物种之一，这有助于识别调节这些复制起点的众多蛋白质因子。 Dbf4 和 Cdc7 是两种共同触发复制的蛋白质，它们对于细胞“检查点”功能也很重要，可以防止 DNA 受损时的复制。更好地了解这些蛋白质如何协同工作以及与细胞中的其他蛋白质相互作用，以发挥其在细胞分裂中的重要作用。重要的是，Dbf4 和 Cdc7 的版本似乎以大致相同的方式存在和发挥作用。因此，这些研究结果将帮助我们更好地确定包括人类在内的生物体如何生长和发育，并帮助我们了解细胞在暴露于导致 DNA 损伤的环境污染物时如何反应。 。