The Role of PLCβ1 in the Relocalization of EGR-1

Hadley, Grace

Student Work

The Role of PLCβ1 in the Relocalization of EGR-1

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Phospholipase Cβ1 (PLCβ1) plays a known role in cell signaling by interacting with Gαq on cell membranes in a way that ultimately results in the release of Ca2+ ions from the endoplasmic reticulum. More recently, however, PLCβ1 has been found to work independently of Gαq in the cytosol to induce differentiation of PC12 cells. We propose that it does so by relocating early growth response 1 (EGR-1) to the nucleus. This relocation is thought to occur through interactions between PLCβ1, TAR element RNA binding protein (TRBP), EGR-1 and argonaute 2 (Ago2). These interactions were investigated in this work. Undifferentiated and differentiated PC12 cells were cultured and TRBP and its associated proteins were immunoprecipitated. Western blots were performed and probed for TRBP, EGR-1, and Ago2. The blots showed the presence of EGR-1 in the cytosol of undifferentiated PC12 cells but not differentiated PC12 cells. The blots also showed that Ago2 and TRBP are present in the cytosol of differentiated PC12 cells. These results support the idea that PLCb1 modulates differentiation by driving mediating the cellular localization of EGR-1.

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.

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