Step 8

Summary

In summation, my experiment did support my original hypothesis being that the Rab5 activating protein 6 (RAP6) did contain a nuclear localization signal containing a possible link between Rab5 and nuclear signal transduction. Accordingly, it was found that nuclear localization signals were being received in the Pleckstrin Homology (PH) domain alone and as a result, making it a region of interest. Since the PH domain is not well characterized to begin with, further characterization may be a huge asset as far as determining from where these nuclear localization signals are coming. Hence, there is a possibility that Rab5 may be linked to nuclear signal transduction connecting even further back to cell proliferation within the cell cycle and triggering cancer.

Based on my current experiment, there is undoubtedly plenty of room for improvement. Although the actual techniques and test were run well with relatively high accuracy, the experiment itself and what was being tested must be altered for future works. Consequently, I am currently in the process of generating several PH domain constructs in order to understand specific sequencing and positioning of these nuclear localization signals. Furthermore, if the specific region of interest of the PH domain is implicated in cancer, can it induce point mutations? If so, then mutations hold the ability to determine key amino acids in nuclear localization function.

The results show that the data supported my hypothesis: if the misregulation of the novel guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Rab5 activating protein 6 (RAP6) is implicated in cancer—the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells, then this protein will contain a nuclear localization signal that links Rab5 to nuclear signal transduction. However, in a way the results were unexpected because I was not sure from what specific domain I was going to be receiving these nuclear localization signals from. Moreover, since the PH domain was not characterized well to begin with, the resulting nuclear localization signals were somewhat unforeseen. After further analysis, these unanticipated results have led to the idea that perhaps this lack of characterization holds a link to cellular signaling and trafficking, perhaps even containing multiple nuclear localization signals.

My results have guided me towards a successive question that may ultimately prove my experiment's answer. The information exhibited in the PH domain suggests that there is a strong chance that the link between Rab5 and nuclear transduction may be initiated by the nuclear localization signal in the PH domain of RAP6. However, since little is known about the PH domain, further research is required.

On that account, carrying out the results of my research would be so interesting, important, and useful to execute due to the fact that my experiment seeks to find the potential function of RAP6 and its corresponding domains, essentially linking results to the molecular carcinogens of cancer. Being that my research is based around cancer and its molecular causes, it not only holds a powerful meaning to me, but also serves as a novel approach towards cellular research and ultimately benefits humanity.