Regulation of Drosophila development by protein kinases

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Development of complex organisms requires that cells communicate and coordinate their activities. Starting from the embryonic stages, cells choose between dividing to create new cells, acquiring a cellular identity, or self-destructing in a process called programmed cell death. These decisions are largely governed by proteins that initiate a cascade of events termed signal transduction or signaling. Environmental triggers or signals from neighboring cells can start a relay of information that travels to the nucleus to influence the expression of genes that encode proteins and shapes cell behaviour. The long-term goal of my research program is to understand how groups of cells develop into specialized adult tissues. My research group uses the well-characterized genetically amenable fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism. We are particularly interested in a group of enzymes called protein kinases which add phosphate groups onto target proteins, or substrates. As a result of this added phosphate, the activity of the substrate can be altered. This kind of regulation is temporary and can be reversed by removing the phosphate. During development, as cells are undergoing dynamic changes in their function and shape, such a transient way to regulate protein activity is essential. For over 20 years we have carried out NSERC-funded work to examine how a number of protein kinases function to ensure proper Drosophila development, with a focus on embryogenic patterning, eye development and limb formation (legs and wings). In this proposal we describe our characterization of two proteins named Wallenda and Cdk8 and propose experiments to reveal how they control whether cells survive or die and how they contribute to development. Our approach is fundamental, or discovery-based, research which seeks to understand how cell function is regulated during the development of an organism. This will be of relevance to a broad group of scientists studying these processes across species, since all the protein kinases we study are evolutionarily conserved in multi-cellular organisms. We anticipate that these studies will result in several outcomes. First, we will publish our research findings in peer-reviewed journals aimed at reaching a broad developmental biology, genetics and signal transduction audience. We expect these studies to give rise to 2-4 research publications. We will disseminate our results through conference presentations such as posters and talks. Furthermore, we will engage in science outreach communication to share our findings and teach the general public the power of model organism research. This research will not only expand our understanding of organismal development, but it will also provide outstanding training opportunities to HQP at the undergraduate and graduate level. These HQP will learn valuable and diverse skills that will position them to join the workforce in Canada and enhance research, teaching and innovation.