The ‘Janus A’ gene encodes a polo-kinase whose loss creates a dorsal/ventral intracellular homeosis in the ciliate, Tetrahymena
2024
The Janus A Gene and Its Role in Ciliate Patterning
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Cole Eric S., Maier Wolfgang, Huynh Huy Vo, Reister Benjamin, Sowunmi Deborah Oluwabukola, Chukka Uzoamaka, Lee Chinkyu, Gaertig Jacek
Primary Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Hypothesis
The loss of the JanA Polo kinase in Tetrahymena leads to a dorsal/ventral intracellular homeosis.
Conclusion
Loss of JanA function results in a mirror-duplication of ventral organelles on the dorsal surface of Tetrahymena.
Supporting Evidence
- JanA is identified as a Polo kinase that drives global, circumferential patterning in Tetrahymena.
- Loss of JanA function leads to a janus phenotype characterized by the duplication of organelles.
- GFP-tagging shows JanA's localization to basal bodies in the left-dorsal hemi-cell.
- PLK inhibitors mimic the janus phenotype and reveal additional roles for PLK activities.
Takeaway
When a specific gene is missing in a tiny organism called Tetrahymena, it causes the parts of the cell that usually belong on the bottom to appear on the top, like a mirror image.
Methodology
Genetic studies and GFP-tagging were used to analyze the role of JanA in Tetrahymena.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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