Maitreyi Das
@daslabpombe.com
We study cell polarity and cytokinesis in the fission yeast model system with emphasis on GTPase signaling patterns @BostonCollege. Immigrant. She/her. www.daslabpombe.com
Interestingly, cells that do enter mitosis despite CK666 treatment, show aberrant SPB interaction with the actin ring leading to spindle and nuclear division defects. This suggests that the SPB has an affinity for actin and in the absence of branched actin binds the actin ring instead. 9/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Interestingly, cells that do enter mitosis despite CK666 treatment, show aberrant SPB interaction with the actin ring leading to spindle and nuclear division defects. This suggests that the SPB has an affinity for actin and in the absence of branched actin binds the actin ring instead. 9/
Branched actin is known to remodel membrane. If it helps fenestration on the NE we should see branched actin elements on the NE and near the SPB. Indeed, she found Fimbrin and Arp2/3 components on the NE and near the SPB. 8/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Branched actin is known to remodel membrane. If it helps fenestration on the NE we should see branched actin elements on the NE and near the SPB. Indeed, she found Fimbrin and Arp2/3 components on the NE and near the SPB. 8/
If CK666 is required for NE fenestration, treating the cells with CK666 should not display mitotic defects. Indeed, in prophase-arrested nda3-KM11 mutants, treatment with ck666 followed by prophase release did not show any mitotic defects. 7/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
If CK666 is required for NE fenestration, treating the cells with CK666 should not display mitotic defects. Indeed, in prophase-arrested nda3-KM11 mutants, treatment with ck666 followed by prophase release did not show any mitotic defects. 7/
She asked if this is because the fenestra fails to form in these cells. Indeed, CK666 treated cells retain higher levels of NLS-GFP in the nucleus a hallmark of fenestration defect. 6/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
She asked if this is because the fenestra fails to form in these cells. Indeed, CK666 treated cells retain higher levels of NLS-GFP in the nucleus a hallmark of fenestration defect. 6/
Cut11 recruitment defects typically indicate failure to inset the SPB in the NE. Just before SPB insertion during fenestration, the SUN domain protein Sad1 forms a ring framing the fenestra. Ck666-treated cells fail to form this ring as seen with Structured illumination microscopy. 5/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Cut11 recruitment defects typically indicate failure to inset the SPB in the NE. Just before SPB insertion during fenestration, the SUN domain protein Sad1 forms a ring framing the fenestra. Ck666-treated cells fail to form this ring as seen with Structured illumination microscopy. 5/
She found that on CK666 treatment, the SPB often failed to recruit the Polo-like kinase Plo1 and the SPB docking protein Cut11. 4/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
She found that on CK666 treatment, the SPB often failed to recruit the Polo-like kinase Plo1 and the SPB docking protein Cut11. 4/
We saw similar defects in mutants of arp3 or actin-bundling protein fimbrin. Fission yeasts undergo closed mitosis and the MTOC or spindle pole body (SPB) duplicates in interphase and just before mitotic onset, is inserted into a fenestra on the nuclear envelope and spindle microtubules nucleate. 3/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
We saw similar defects in mutants of arp3 or actin-bundling protein fimbrin. Fission yeasts undergo closed mitosis and the MTOC or spindle pole body (SPB) duplicates in interphase and just before mitotic onset, is inserted into a fenestra on the nuclear envelope and spindle microtubules nucleate. 3/
We noticed that fission yeast cells treated with the Arp2/3 complex inhibitor CK666 often failed mitotic entry. Dhanya confirmed this finding and it was all the clearer in cell-cycle synchronized cells, where CK666 cells often failed to enter mitosis or did so with a significant delay. 2/
September 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
We noticed that fission yeast cells treated with the Arp2/3 complex inhibitor CK666 often failed mitotic entry. Dhanya confirmed this finding and it was all the clearer in cell-cycle synchronized cells, where CK666 cells often failed to enter mitosis or did so with a significant delay. 2/
G2 phase cells upregulate cellular component biogenesis, cell-wall organization, and plasma membrane maintenance pathways to facilitate bipolar growth. 6/x
August 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
G2 phase cells upregulate cellular component biogenesis, cell-wall organization, and plasma membrane maintenance pathways to facilitate bipolar growth. 6/x
Using a combination of GSEA and KEGG analysis, protein-protein interaction networks and validation with cell biology we identified that the nutritional stress response pathway that promotes G1-arrest is upregulated in G1/S phase and prevents precocious bipolar growth. 5/x
August 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Using a combination of GSEA and KEGG analysis, protein-protein interaction networks and validation with cell biology we identified that the nutritional stress response pathway that promotes G1-arrest is upregulated in G1/S phase and prevents precocious bipolar growth. 5/x
To identify the factors promoting the transition from monopolar to bipolar growth, we analyzed differential gene expression patterns between G1/S and G2 phase cells. We used the cdc10-129 mutants that arrest in G1/S under restrictive conditions. 4/x
August 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
To identify the factors promoting the transition from monopolar to bipolar growth, we analyzed differential gene expression patterns between G1/S and G2 phase cells. We used the cdc10-129 mutants that arrest in G1/S under restrictive conditions. 4/x
Using a combination of GSEA and KEGG analysis, protein-protein interaction networks and validation with cell biology we identified that the nutritional stress response pathway that promotes G1-arrest is upregulated in G1/S phase and prevents precocious bipolar growth. 5/x
August 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Using a combination of GSEA and KEGG analysis, protein-protein interaction networks and validation with cell biology we identified that the nutritional stress response pathway that promotes G1-arrest is upregulated in G1/S phase and prevents precocious bipolar growth. 5/x
This was my 5yo at a meeting I had to attend way back. The last time I had to tag him along at a lecture I gave, he was 10. He told me I was a very good teacher because students did not seem confused. 😂
June 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM
This was my 5yo at a meeting I had to attend way back. The last time I had to tag him along at a lecture I gave, he was 10. He told me I was a very good teacher because students did not seem confused. 😂
Our first peony ever. Planted the bulb last year.
June 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Our first peony ever. Planted the bulb last year.
It's my favorite time of the year!🎉 Commencement and graduate hooding. Congratulations to Daslab students, Dr. Bethany Campbell and Dr. Marcus Harrell. Also Dr. Harrell was awarded the dissertation award in science and math. Well done.
May 19, 2025 at 7:46 PM
It's my favorite time of the year!🎉 Commencement and graduate hooding. Congratulations to Daslab students, Dr. Bethany Campbell and Dr. Marcus Harrell. Also Dr. Harrell was awarded the dissertation award in science and math. Well done.
With all the craziness around us these days, we need moments of pure joy. I found mine last night at the Indian Ocean concert at the Somerville theatre. Took me back to my IIT mood indigo days.
May 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
With all the craziness around us these days, we need moments of pure joy. I found mine last night at the Indian Ocean concert at the Somerville theatre. Took me back to my IIT mood indigo days.
The Das lab was well represented at the Hamilton symposium and undergraduate research day at Boston College. Erik Flores-Reyes, Olivia Chinsen and Uma Patel presented their research.
May 2, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The Das lab was well represented at the Hamilton symposium and undergraduate research day at Boston College. Erik Flores-Reyes, Olivia Chinsen and Uma Patel presented their research.
How do we navigate this storm? From the @ascbiology.bsky.social newsletter.
March 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
How do we navigate this storm? From the @ascbiology.bsky.social newsletter.
We bid farewell to Dr. Samridhi Pathak who starts a new position at Sanofi next week. Goodluck Sam and wish you the very best.
February 16, 2025 at 1:33 AM
We bid farewell to Dr. Samridhi Pathak who starts a new position at Sanofi next week. Goodluck Sam and wish you the very best.
Happy Valentine's Day! Here is a pombe Valentine. In these hard times do not forget to take care of yourself and those around you. You are loved and you matter.
February 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Happy Valentine's Day! Here is a pombe Valentine. In these hard times do not forget to take care of yourself and those around you. You are loved and you matter.
Reminds me of this. "I see what you mean" at the Denver Convention center.
January 11, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Reminds me of this. "I see what you mean" at the Denver Convention center.
The Das lab is bidding goodbye to two of its dearest members. They will be sorely missed. Dr. Bethany Campbell will start a visiting faculty position at Maryville College in TN and Dr. Marcus Harrell will start a postdoctoral position at St. Jude Children's hospital. We wish them the very best. ❤️
December 19, 2024 at 7:56 PM
The Das lab is bidding goodbye to two of its dearest members. They will be sorely missed. Dr. Bethany Campbell will start a visiting faculty position at Maryville College in TN and Dr. Marcus Harrell will start a postdoctoral position at St. Jude Children's hospital. We wish them the very best. ❤️
#cellbio2024 was great. Lots of good science, community, networking, and inspiration. Looking forward to the next year in Philly.
December 18, 2024 at 4:11 AM
#cellbio2024 was great. Lots of good science, community, networking, and inspiration. Looking forward to the next year in Philly.