|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Anja-Katrin Bielinsky
Laboratory |
|
Contact Information:
Laboratory:
6-218/220 MCB
Telephone:
(612) 624-0460
Anja-Katrin
Bielinsky
bieli003@umn.edu
|
Research Staff
Sapna Das Bradoo, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral
Associate
dasbr001@umn.edu |
|
|
|
In eukaryotes, initiation of
DNA replication is governed by multi-protein
complexes that assemble at origins of replication.
The pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) is assembled
on replication origins through the sequential
loading of a large number of protein components.
Mcm10 is an essential replication factor playing
an important role in the loading of DNA polymerase
alpha/primase onto the replication fork. My project
is to explore whether Mcm10 interacts with other
proteins at the replication fork. |
Bob Alver
Graduate
Research Assistant
alve0019@umn.edu |
|
|
|
Minichromosome maintenance protein 10 (Mcm10) is an essential factor in DNA replication. Mcm10 is found in multiple copies at the replication fork, and we think it coordinates leading with lagging strand synthesis. Mcm10 accomplishes this through interactions with several proteins, (e.g. Mcm2-7, DNA polymerase alpha/primase, PCNA). I am interested in looking for new Mcm10 interacting proteins.. |
Sharbani Chattopadhyay
Graduate
Research Assistant
chat0053@umn.edu |
|
|
|
DNA replication initiates in
S-phase from many genomic regions known as replication
origins. Several protein factors are recruited
to active origins to enable DNA replication.
Mcm10 is one such protein, which associates with
chromatin in a cell cycle-dependent manner and
is involved in DNA replication. I am investigating
the precise role of Mcm10 in DNA replication
in human cells. I also collaborated with Bashi
to setup the microarray-based origin mapping
technique in yeast. |
Hai Dang Nguyen
Graduate Research Assistant
nguye657@umn.edu
|
|
|
|
IDNA replication is a highly complex and dynamic process where the coordination between newly synthesized leading and lagging strands is critical during S phase. While leading strand synthesis occurs continuously in the 5’ to 3’ direction towards the replication fork, lagging strand replication requires synthesis and joining of a series of fragments, known as Okazaki fragments. My project is to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the recognition of Okazaki fragment maturation defects in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I also plan to analyze origin activation genome-wide in these mutants to investigate replication fork progression in the presence of Okazaki fragment maturation defects. These studies will provide insight into the mechanism of how cells maintain genome stability when lagging strand DNA synthesis is compromised. |
Former Research Staff
Bashi Raveendranathan
Graduate Research Assistant
mraveend@umn.edu |
|
|
|
In budding yeast, the S phase checkpoint kinases Mec1 and Rad53 are required to prevent premature entry into mitosis, to inhibit late-firing replication origins and to stabilize stalled replication forks when cells are exposed to replication stress. In the absence of a functional S phase checkpoint, origin firing is deregulated and replication forks collapse, leading to chromosome breakage. The focus of my project is to monitor origin activation genome-wide in S phase checkpoint mutants using DNA microarrays. Analysis of origin activation patterns in these mutants may provide insight into the question of how S phase dynamics is linked to checkpoint control during the cell cycle. |
Robin M. Ricke
Graduate Research Assistant
ricke022@umn.edu |
|
|
|
Mcm10 is a conserved eukaryotic DNA replication factor that has been shown to bind replication origins and chromatin in a cell cycle regulated manner. Furthermore, Mcm10 migrates with the replication fork to support DNA elongation. In studies examining the interaction between Mcm10 and DNA polymerase- a , we observed that Mcm10 is required to maintain steady-state levels of the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase- a ( Ricke and Bielinsky, 2004, Molecular Cell ) . In temperature sensitive mcm10 mutants, depletion of Mcm10 results in degradation of the catalytic subunit, while the stability of other replication fork components such as Pri2, Cdc45, Mcm7 and Pol12 are unaffected. Current studies are underway to further characterize this interaction. |
Yung-Tsi Bolon
Graduate Research Assistant
hsie0024@umn.edu |
|
|
|
DNA replication origins in budding yeast are known as autonomously replicating sequences (ARSs) and contain matches to a consensus sequence known to be essential for the binding of the origin recognition complex. Close examination of these origins reveals their diverse nature. Currently, I am generating a series of mutants to examine the interplay between alterations in origin structure and the binding ability of the origin recognition complex. These studies may clarify the requirement of the cis-acting replicator sequence for recognition by the trans-acting initiator protein complex to result in the initiation of DNA replication. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email: 
