The Role Of Cyclin B3 And The Endoplasmic Reticulum During Mitosis In The Early Drosophila Melanogaster Embryo

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an essential organelle that is involved in lipid synthesis and the translation, folding and secretion of proteins. During mitosis the ER experiences a significant structural reorganization, however, it is currently unknown what regulates this dramatic reorganization. Preliminary data suggest that the mitotic cyclin dependent kinases (CDK) control ER reorganization. Currently, we are examining the relationship between the ER and the late mitotic regulator cyclin B3. We have created a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster strain including GFP-cyclin B3 and an ER marker, RFP-KDEL. We will perform live fluorescent analysis in the early Drosophila syncytial embryos during mitosis to observe any colocalization between the ER membrane and this mitotic cyclin population. These results will imply that Cyclin B3 is a potential novel regulator of the segregation of the ER during mitosis. This result can suggest more specific points of interest for the changes in the ER during mitosis.