Myosins, a superfamily of actin dependent molecular motors, perform essential functions in all eukaryotes. Full length functional plant myosins have been difficult to isolate due to their sus-ceptibility to proteases. Using Western blots for detection, the degradation of 3xmEGFP-tagged myosin XI was compared for different methods of extraction from the moss Physcomitrella pat-ens. Motility assays showed the functionality of moss myosin enriched by an actin based affinity column. This work begins the development of an effective and reproducible purification protocol for a moss class XI myosin. Analysis of quantitative assays and biochemical studies of purified myosin will allow the characterization of the physiological roles underlying the evolution and function of this essential protein.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Agrawal, Supriya Apurva

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-082311-185402

Advisor

• Vidali, Luis

Year

• 2011

Date created

• 2011-08-23

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright