Institute Genomics Functional De Lyon-Dr. Jonathan Enriquez.

Deciphering the role of CSN1b and CSN2 subunits of the COP9 Signalosome complex (CSN) in neuroblasts of Drosophila melanogaster.COP9 signalosome complex (CSN) consists of 8 subunits and it is evolutionarily conserved. The CSN complex is known for its de-neddylation activity which regulates cullin-RING ubiquitin E3 ligase by removing NEDD8 modification.We wanted to find out whether CSN7 works in a complex with the other subunits or independently. Therefore, we decided to identify whether the loss of other CSN subunits leads to a similar phenotype as CSN7. Therefore, I started working on CSN1b and CSN2. Since there are no null mutants available for these genes, I used RNAi lines together with the insc-GAL4 (a neuroblast driver) to knockdown CSN1b and CSN2 specifically in neuroblasts. I found out that CSN1b knockdown also leads to small brains in mature larvae and eventual pupal lethality.One of the reasons that could lead to a small brain phenotype is that upon loss of CSN1b Nb prematurely differentiate into neurons or glial cells. To determine this, I looked at the expression of neuronal-specific markers (Prospero and Elav) and glial marker (Repo) proteins by immunostaining on third instar larval brain. My result suggests that the small brain phenotype is not due to the premature differentiation of NB into neurons or glia.

Worked under Dr. Damodar Thappa on the project “Upstream andFermentation Regulations”.Administered the Sartorius Fermenter for the production of small scaleproteins using recombinant E.coli.

Worked under Dr. Bharath B Chatoo on Tagging kinetochore proteins inM.oryzae. Amplification and fusion of MIS12 and DAM1 genes with GFP andRFP genes. Cloning of fusion product into appropriate vectors for M.oryzaetransformation, followed by fluoroscence microscopy ofthe fungal spores.