Porcine Circovirus 1 Viral Protein 3 (PCV1-VP3) has been studied for its ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, while not changing its subcellular location like the similar protein, Chicken Anemia Virus Viral Protein 3 (CAV VP3). The putative nuclear export sequence (NES) has yet to be located within PCV1-VP3, although it was determined to be somewhere in the C-terminal domain. PCV1-VP3 has not successfully been mutated in a way that reveals the location of the NES and therefore whether the cancer killing property is dependent on localization. Mutant constructs were developed through Quikchange Site Directed Mutagenesis, and the plasmids were then transfected into mouse fibroblast cells (3T3 cells) for analysis. This project was done with the goal of locating the NES to discover if it is responsible for the localization while maintaining the protein’s functionality. If a NES dysfunctional mutant is produced and still retains its cancer killing properties, this protein can potentially be used to develop new oncogenic treatments. The mutation did not affect localization, proving inconclusive in the search for a NES and boding well for the potential of using PCV1-VP3 as the basis for a druggable treatment.

• 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

• Amberger, Sean
• Gauthier, Meredith

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042822-132642
• 65401

Advisor

• Heilman, Destin

Year

• 2022

Date created

• 2022-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright