Matthew Dreier '18, Biology

CDK1, the regulator of cell division, inhibits degradation of fibroblast growth factor receptor

During cell division, cell components must be properly segregated and inherited. The proper inheritance of receptors and other signaling proteins is important because abnormal signaling can lead to cancer. Membrane trafficking can control receptor segregation, thus dictating inheritance. However, little is known about the mechanisms that control membrane trafficking during cell division. Here I show that the mitotic regulator cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) acts to store fibroblast growth factor receptor by inhibiting its degradation during cell division. These data define new pathways that regulate receptor inheritance and suggest how inappropriate inheritance can disrupt cell fate and behavior, leading to malignancy.