Characterization of Two Novel Mutants of DNA Polymerase Delta in Drosophila melanogaster

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dc.contributor.advisorChristensen, Timen_US
dc.contributor.authorHunter, Chad Michaelen_US
dc.contributor.departmentBiologyen_US
dc.date.accessioned2011-08-22T15:12:40Z
dc.date.available2012-03-28T15:47:07Z
dc.date.issued2011en_US
dc.description.abstractDNA is the genetic material for all living organisms which is constantly being unpackaged, replicated and repackaged. The replication of this genetic material involves numerous different proteins; however, DNA polymerase delta (pol [delta]) carries much of the load by replicating a major portion of the genome in both leading and lagging strand synthesis. Using the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, we investigate two novel mutations in two different evolutionary conserved regions. One region corresponds with the polymerase's ability to polymerize new nucleotides onto an existing strand of DNA. The other region corresponds with the polymerase's ability to proofread in the 3' to 5' direction.  These two mutants, both homozygous lethal and recessive, show interesting phenotypes with a delay in S-phase, numerous chromosome aberrations, defects in endoreplication and possible protection form DNA damage. Using these two mutants, these two domains can be further characterized. By understanding how pol [delta] functions in an in vivo setting, we can apply this knowledge to the mechanics of cancer biology in humans, another multicelluar organism, and inform new therapies to treat it.  en_US
dc.description.degreeM.S.en_US
dc.format.extent137 p.en_US
dc.format.mediumdissertations, academicen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10342/3627
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherEast Carolina Universityen_US
dc.subjectGeneticsen_US
dc.subjectBiologyen_US
dc.subjectBiology, Molecularen_US
dc.subjectDNA polymerase deltaen_US
dc.subjectDNA replicationen_US
dc.subjectBiology, Genetics
dc.subjectMolecular biology
dc.subject.lcshDNA polymerases
dc.subject.lcshMutation (Biology)
dc.subject.lcshDrosophila melanogaster
dc.titleCharacterization of Two Novel Mutants of DNA Polymerase Delta in Drosophila melanogasteren_US
dc.typeMaster's Thesisen_US

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