Lucy Orton

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• Characterisation of the interaction between the transcription factor RUNX1 and CDK6

A cell completes one cell cycle to produce two daughter cells. Many cancers arise from dysregulation of the cell cycle, causing uncontrollable growth of cells, forming tumours. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control processes in the cell cycle, by regulating the activities of other proteins, such as transcription factors that control gene expression. 

The project looked at the interaction between CDK6 and the transcription factor Runx1, dysregulation of which is associated with acute leukaemias. DNA constructs to express a fragment of Runx1 and a complex between Runx1 and CBFβ (another transcription factor) in recombinant E. coli cells were prepared. Runx1 was successfully produced and its purification was optimised. Preliminary experiments to characterise the CDK6-Runx1 interaction were carried out.  The reagents have been generated to map the Runx1 binding site on CDK6. This site will be probed by making CDK6 and Runx1 mutants and characterising their activities using biophysical, structural and cell-based assays.

Funding source: Biochemical Society

Supervisor:Prof Jane Endicott