Investigation of a regulatory mechanism between meiosis and the DNA damage checkpoint in fission yeast

Candidate: Sirasie Magalage
Supervisor: Dr. Sarah Sabatinos

ABSTRACT

In this project, Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S.pombe) is used to investigate the convergent relationship of a protein kinase gene in the DNA damage checkpoint called chk1+ with a meiotically upregulated gene called meu27+. Experiments were done to determine whether the suppressive effect meu27+ has on chk1+ persists when it is expressed in trans and whether promoter deletion of meu27+ (Pmeu27Δ) has any effect on meiotic outcomes. Results confirmed the existence of suppression in trans and faster meiotic progression in Pmeu27Δ cells. This led to speculation about a potential mechanism capable of both cis and trans convergent transcription and possible involvement of another meiotic gene. This work provides more understanding of how regulation dynamics between mitosis and meiosis work which are important because when dysregulated these processes can cause cellular disease outcomes like unregulated cell division or abnormal gamete formation, which can lead to genetic disease and the development of cancer.