Defining the role of a conserved G protein activator RIC-8 in neuronal heat shock response

LaBombard, Adam

Student Work

Defining the role of a conserved G protein activator RIC-8 in neuronal heat shock response

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Stress response, which is a complex interconnection of various pathways and proteins, has the capacity to protect an organism from cellular stress. Previous research in the Nechipurenko lab has shown that a non-canonical Gα protein guanine nucleotide exchange factor RIC-8 localizes to the primary cilium, and when heat shocked, the cilia of ric-8 mutant C. elegans are shorter than wild-type cilia. These preliminary findings suggest that RIC-8 contributes to protecting cilia against heat stress. The aims of this project were to determine whether RIC-8 is required for stress-dependent cilia remodeling and to identify additional genes involved in this process.

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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