Analysis of the mRNA-binding protein Nab2 during the nuclear export mechanism

Abstract

This project is concerned with understanding the role of the mRNA-binding protein Nab2 in the process of nuclear mRNA export. In this dissertation I characterize changes that occur to Nab2’s structure and localization during cellular response to increased growth temperatures, known as the heat shock response. I show that Nab2 is both phosphorylated by the MAP kinase Slt2, and re-localizes to discrete intranuclear foci during heat shock. Further, I show that these changes are involved in nuclear retention of mRNA during heat shock, and that loss of the Nab2 kinase results in lack of this retention. In summary, this work demonstrates that Nab2, and the MAP kinase Slt2, are involved in nuclear retention of mRNA during heat shock.