Analysis of Bves function through identification of interacting proteins.

Abstract

The work contained in this document describes the generation of new immunoreagents for Bves study, and our identification of a Bves-interacting protein. After generating new monoclonal antibodies to the Bves protein, I here describe the characterization of Bves expression throughout mouse embryogenesis, clearly demonstrating that Bves is widely expressed in many tissue types throughout gestation. I also describe the isolation of Geft as a directly interacting protein for Bves, and biochemically confirm and characterize the interaction between these two proteins. I then demonstrate a role for Bves in control of cellular motility via modulation of the Rac1/Cdc42 GTPases, likely through the Geft interaction. These findings represent both the first identification of a Bves-interacting protein and the first placement of Bves into a molecular pathway within the cell. The data presented here will undoubtedly serve as a departure point for many future investigations into the Bves protein, and represent seminal findings in the study of Bves function.