Female meiosis is particularly error-prone, leading to chromosomally abnormal embryos that account for >10% of human pregnancies and, for women nearing menopause, the incidence may exceed 50%. Therefore, understanding the molecular events that guarantee proper chromosome segregation during female meiosis is of paramount relevance. In spite of this, and in contrast to mitosis, we still do not have a molecular understanding of the events regulating meiotic chromosome segregation. Our recent work has focused on chromosome segregation during oocyte meiosis using the nematode C. elegans as a model organism, which provides an excellent system for studying meiosis. We are interested in the signalling networks that guarantee that every single protein performing a function during meiosis is present at the right place, in the right time. In many instances these signals are in the form of post-translational protein modifications (PTMs) and we focus on two of these: phosphorylation and sumoylation. We recently uncovered a role for the protein phosphatase PP2A:B56 in chromosome alignment during meiosis (Bel Borja et al 2000, eLife).
In order to understand the mechanism involved in PP2A-mediated chromosome alignment, this project aims at identifying meiotic PP2A:B56 substrates and their role during meiosis. We will employ state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to identify phosphorylation events in vivo during meiosis. Once identified, we will study the roles that these sites play during meiosis in vivo though time-lapse microscopy, with high spatial and temporal resolution, and biochemical methods.
Please see our website for further details on the programme:
Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee
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· Keyword: Life
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