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The Regulation Of Chemokinesis By The Soil Amoeba, Dictyostelium Discoideum, Julia Horan
The Regulation Of Chemokinesis By The Soil Amoeba, Dictyostelium Discoideum, Julia Horan
Honors Scholar Theses
Many types of cells crawl on solid surfaces by amoeboid locomotion. Membrane protrusions, such as pseudopods, are generated by outward directed forces and the cell body retracts to allow the cell to migrate on the surface. The movement can be random, or can be directional in response to diffusible (chemotaxis) or surface associated signals (haptotaxis). It has been known for some time that chemotactic signals also lead to an increase in overall cell speed (chemokinesis), however the mechanism of this speed increase is unknown. This project investigates the cellular signaling pathways involved in the regulation of cell speed by ligands …
The Role Of Actin Binding Proteins In Cell Motility, Elizabeth Ojukwu
The Role Of Actin Binding Proteins In Cell Motility, Elizabeth Ojukwu
Honors Scholar Theses
Actin binding proteins (ABPs) play key roles in the dynamic organization of the actin cytoskeleton during cell movement. The general localization of ABPs during dynamic cellular processes has been characterized. However, their specific functions and mechanisms of regulating the cytoskeleton during motile cellular processes remain unclear. Two approaches have been utilized to ask how these proteins contribute to cytoskeletal function during motility. Using homologous recombination, mutant cell lines lacking α-actinin, fimbrin or both proteins have been created. By analyzing mutants that lack these proteins, we hope to disrupt processes that require a functional cytoskeleton such as phagocytosis, random motility, development, …
The Role Of Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein In Cell Motility, Kathryn Grive
The Role Of Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein In Cell Motility, Kathryn Grive
Honors Scholar Theses
Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) has been identified as a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein capable of inhibiting Raf-1 kinase, an enzyme significant in cell proliferation and cancer development. When properly functioning, RKIP can mediate the expression of Raf-1 kinase and help prevent uncontrolled cell division. RKIP also has suggested, but unclear, roles in spindle fiber formation during mitosis, regulation of apoptosis, and cell motility. The Fenteany laboratory in the Chemistry Department identified a new small molecule, named Locostatin, as a cell migration inhibitor in mammalian cells, with RKIP as its primary molecular target.
Dictyostelium discoideum possess two RKIP proteins, RKIP-A and RKIP-B. …