Role of the SPF27 homologue Num1 in splicing and transport in Ustilago maydis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jörg Kämper
• Subject Area: Plant Cell and Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200423813

During its life cycle, the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis switches from budding growth to the formation of filamentous hyphae. This dimorphic switch requires a complex regulation of cell cycle, nuclear division, nuclear movement, polar growth and septum formation. We have identified the num1 gene to be required for various of these processes. Num1 is most likely a component of the conserved Prp19/CDC5 complex, which is involved in the regulation of mRNA splicing events. Interestingly, we could show that Num1 also interacts with the motor protein kinesin 1, which is involved in cytoplasmic transport processes. Our aim is to understand whether the functions of Num1 as a component of the splicing-machinery and as a motor-associated protein are independent, or whether the two processes are interconnected. The assignment of novel functions for Num1 is of particular interest also with respect to tumor biology, since amplification of BCAS2, the human homologue of Num1, is associated with breast cancer.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants