Section: Research

Andrea Pereira, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Research Assistant Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Cell Biology

Microtubule motor proteins of the kinesin superfamily

The microtubule motor proteins of the kinesin superfamily are known to be responsible for numerous kinds of motile events that occur during cell division. The main research goal of my lab is to extend the understanding of spindle assembly and function through the genetic analysis of several of these motor proteins: the Drosophila kinesin-like protein 67A (KLP67A and human homolog, kif18), KLP61F (human homolog hsEG5) as well as a novel cytoskeletal protein BSG25D.

Immunolocalization data of KLP67A reveals an interaction with both mitochondria and Wolbachia bacteria that are bound to the astral fibers of the spindle. This interaction is necessary for proper spindle assembly and function during cell division as demonstrated by a KLP67A mutant phenotype analysis. Current work on KLP67A is focused on understanding the molecular details of the motor-spindle-mitochondria complex. The second KLP that we are interested in is KLP61F. Although we have previously demonstrated that KLP61F has a role in spindle assembly, it is unclear as to whether this motor is initiating pole separation, stabilizing the spindle once formed and/or also powering spindle fiber sliding during anaphase movements. To address these questions, we have created a temperature sensitive allele of KLP61F. Our plan now is to observe the effects of this mutation on spindle assembly and chromosome movements. Mutations in KLP61F as well as KLP67A are also being used to illuminate the role of these molecular motors in the highly specialized female meiotic spindle.

In fact we have new and exciting data that points to a role of KLP67A in female meiotic spindle assembly. Together, these studies will increase our knowledge of cell division leading to better understanding of the steps that go awry during normal cellular development as well as in cancerous cells.

Office: S5-201
Phone: 508-856-6007
E-mail: Andrea.Pereira@umassmed.edu

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