Date of Award:

5-2002

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Daryll B. DeWald

Committee

Daryll B. DeWald

Committee

Jon Y. Takemoto

Committee

Gregory J. Podgorski

Committee

Marie K. Walsh

Abstract

In all eukaryotic organisms vesicle-mediated protein transport is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Over the past decade significant strides have been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing this complex process. Both genetic and biochemical studies have demonstrated the unequivocal involvement of class III phospatidylinositol 3-kinases (PtdIns 3-kinases) in regulating vesicle transport. While PtdIns 3-kinases have been well studied in both yeast and mammalian systems, the role of these enzymes in plants is poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that the Arabidopsis Ptdlns 3-kinase is localized to the cytoplasm, and perhaps the Golgi apparatus. Moreover, we show that reduction in cellular PtdIns(3)P levels is correlated with missorting of a vacuolar marker protein. Altogether, our data suggest that AtVps34p (and its lipid product PtdIns(3)P) is involved in regulating vesicle-mediated protein transport to the vacuole in Arabidopsis.

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22fa682f8d0638ec236909fc3cd7f791

Included in

Cell Biology Commons

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