Dan Jobson

• Bsc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• Biochemical and structural characterisation of CDK1/2-RingoA complexes and its possible role in cancer

The cell cycle enables a cell to divide, grow and develop. Enzymes known as cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) and their activating partner known as cyclins regulate the cell cycle. These phosphorylate specific proteins at precise time intervals to organise the cell's activities. Ringo/Speedy are a cyclin-like family of proteins with the founding member being RingoA/Speedy1. This activates CDK1 and CDK2 without the need for phosphorylation during meiosis (production of sex cells). A recently published research paper identified the enzyme complex crystal structure. It is also believed that these enzyme complexes increase in cases of cancer. So learning more about them might discover new anti-cancer treatment options.

I wanted to see if the enzyme activity changed with Ringo bound to CDK2 in different conditions. The next stage was to make crystals of Ringo-bound CDK2 complexes. The enzyme activity did appear to change and I managed to start setting-up crystal plate trials.

Funding Source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Prof Jane Endicott