Date of Award

2011

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Biological Sciences

Keywords

Biology, Genetics.

Supervisor

Swan, Andrew (Biological Sciences)

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

The transition between different stages of the cell cycle needs the activation of Cdk/Cyclins. SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase complex plays a critical role in entry into the S-phase by activating the Cdk2/Cyclin E complex. Cks85A interacts with Skp2 and helps it in recognition of the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase targets. Knocking out of Cks85A and Skp2 has an effect on growth in Drosophila by reducing the cell volume in endoreplicating tissues. In this study, I have shown that the Cks85A and Skp2 null mutant larvae are smaller due to DNA replication defects in endoreplicating cells. I have shown that there is polyploidy in brain and eye imaginal discs and this was confirmed by directly visualising the number of the chromosomes in Cks85A and Skp2 mutant cells. I determined that the increased ploidy levels in the cells is due to re-replication of the DNA.

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