Aph2 was discovered in 2002 using yeast-two hybrid screen with c-Abl protein as the bait. Prior to our studies, Aph2 was only found to be pro-apoptotic to cells. It interacts with c-Abl and is believed to work hand in hand with c-Abl to cause apoptosis. Thus, our study is to examine if Aph2 has any effects in DNA damage pathway. Investigations were made in the following areas:

• immunofluorescence microscopy of foci protein formation
• western blot analysis of phospho-proteins found in DNA damage response pathway
• cell proliferation

Data obtained show defects in DNA damage response of Aph2-/- MEFs, with the reduction in phosphorylation of certain DNA damage response proteins. It was found that Aph2 affects the upstream proteins of the pathway. Furthermore, data collected revealed that Aph2 main mechanism of effect comes from the cysteine rich zf-DHHC motif which is found in all palmitoyltransferase. Thus, Aph2 might affect DNA damage response pathway through its palmitoylation capability.

Student:  Lee Yew Mun (Diploma in Biotechnology)

Supervisor:  Dr Zeng Li , Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology