Comparison of MKNK2 Isoform Levels in Normal and Cancer Cells
Disciplines
Biochemistry
Abstract (300 words maximum)
MKNK 2 is a gene that encodes for MKNK 2 kinase that exists in two different isoforms in the cell. MKNK 2a is responsible for the phosphorylation of eIF4E which is a eukaryotic translation initiation factor, but is mostly responsible for the phosphorylation of p38 - MAPK. p38 - MAPK is activated through phosphorylation and once activated triggers the cell to go through apoptosis. The second isoform MKNK 2b, results through alternate splicing of the MKNK 2 gene through SRSF 1. MKNK 2b only phosphorylates eIF4E and not p38 - MAPK which is expected to take away a cells ability to go through apoptosis. This project was conducted for the CURE project of the 3512 lab and aims to compare the levels of the different isoforms in normal cells and cancer cells. This will be done using isoform specific antibodies on a Western Blot with cancer osteosarcoma cells and normal fibroblast cells which will be compared to normal kidney cell line. The isoform specific antibodies were tested against purified MKNK2 isoform proteins and found to be able to distinguish between the isoforms.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Chemistry and Biochemistry
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Rajnish Singh
Comparison of MKNK2 Isoform Levels in Normal and Cancer Cells
MKNK 2 is a gene that encodes for MKNK 2 kinase that exists in two different isoforms in the cell. MKNK 2a is responsible for the phosphorylation of eIF4E which is a eukaryotic translation initiation factor, but is mostly responsible for the phosphorylation of p38 - MAPK. p38 - MAPK is activated through phosphorylation and once activated triggers the cell to go through apoptosis. The second isoform MKNK 2b, results through alternate splicing of the MKNK 2 gene through SRSF 1. MKNK 2b only phosphorylates eIF4E and not p38 - MAPK which is expected to take away a cells ability to go through apoptosis. This project was conducted for the CURE project of the 3512 lab and aims to compare the levels of the different isoforms in normal cells and cancer cells. This will be done using isoform specific antibodies on a Western Blot with cancer osteosarcoma cells and normal fibroblast cells which will be compared to normal kidney cell line. The isoform specific antibodies were tested against purified MKNK2 isoform proteins and found to be able to distinguish between the isoforms.