Enkurin is a novel protein first detected in mammalian sperm, and is thought to contribute to the maintenance of Ca++ ion channels. It was first observed in the acrosome (head) of mammalian sperm cells, but further localization studies found that it is also located in the principle piece (middle section) of flagellum. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of flagellar Enkurin in motility using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular biflagellated alga which expresses a homolog of mammalian Enkurin, as a model organism. Artificial microRNA (amiRNA) was introduced via electroporation to Chlamydomonas organisms normally expressing Enkurin in an attempt to silence the Enkurin gene and knock down protein production.

• 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

• Venkatesh, Rashmi

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042810-203329

Advisor

• Heilman, Destin

Year

• 2010

Sponsor

• UMass Medical School

Date created

• 2010-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright