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Neuroprotective Effects Of Anthocyanins On Neuronal Death Induced By Inhibition Of Bcl-2 And Oxidative Stress, Natalie A. Kelsey Aug 2010

Neuroprotective Effects Of Anthocyanins On Neuronal Death Induced By Inhibition Of Bcl-2 And Oxidative Stress, Natalie A. Kelsey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have devastating consequences to the afflicted patients. A major cellular pathophysiology underlying these diseases is mitochondrial oxidative stress (MOS) leading to neuronal death. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of a novel class of nutraceuticals, anthocyanins, against MOS-induced death in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants whose neuroprotective potential has yet to be examined in detail. Kuromanin and callistephin are anthocyanins derived from black rice and strawberries, respectively. Glutathione (GSH)-sensitive MOS and intrinsic apoptosis were induced in CGNs by the Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA14-1. Callistephin and …


Localization And Binding Characteristics Of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Bcl-2 Protein In The Prevention Of Apoptosis, Erin T. St.Angelo Aug 2010

Localization And Binding Characteristics Of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Bcl-2 Protein In The Prevention Of Apoptosis, Erin T. St.Angelo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of various diseases, and it encodes a Bcl-2 homolog, KS-Bcl-2. The Bcl-2 family is important in regulating cellular apoptosis. Pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members promote apoptosis through mitochondrial pore formation by Bak and Bax, or through BH3 only domain activators and sensitizers. Anti-apoptotic members, such as cellular Bcl-2 prevent apoptosis through interactions with pro-apoptotic proteins, for instance inhibiting pore formation by binding to Bak and/or Bax. Even though, KS-Bcl-2 has been shown to have an anti-apoptotic function like its homolog, it does not bind to either Bak or Bax, and little is known …


The Effect Of Cobalt Protoporphyrin And Cobalt Chloride On Heme Oxygenase Expression And Protection From Deoxycholate-Induced Apoptosis, Tina Lawson Jul 2010

The Effect Of Cobalt Protoporphyrin And Cobalt Chloride On Heme Oxygenase Expression And Protection From Deoxycholate-Induced Apoptosis, Tina Lawson

Theses and Dissertations

The inner surface of the stomach is lined by a mucous membrane known as the gastric mucosa. The integrity of the gastric mucosa is critical for protecting the stomach from the low pH and proteolytic environment within the lumen. Both clinically and experimentally, exposure of gastric mucosal cells to bile salts is known to cause injury. Bile salts present in duodenogastric reflux are thought to play a significant role in gastric ulcer formation and alkaline gastritis. In vitro, studies using physiologic concentrations of the secondary bile salt, deoxycholic acid, indicate that bile salts can induce apoptosis in cultured human gastric …


Notch 1 Mediated Inhibition Of Nur77-Induced Apoptosis: Implications For T-Cell Leukemia, Jonathan George Rud May 2010

Notch 1 Mediated Inhibition Of Nur77-Induced Apoptosis: Implications For T-Cell Leukemia, Jonathan George Rud

Open Access Dissertations

It is widely accepted that activating mutations of genes encoding the Notch family of transmembrane receptors, specifically Notch1, are associated with oncogenic transformation. Previous data from our lab has shown that an active form of Notch1 (NICD) provides protection against apoptosis in D011.10 T cells; and that this effect may be attributed to NICD binding the pro-apoptotic protein Nur77. Nur77 is an immediate early gene that is upregulated during both negative selection of thymocytes and activation-induced apoptosis in D011.10 T cells. Nur77 upregulation is tightly regulated and requires MEF2D, NFAT, and the transcriptional co-activator, p300, to effectively respond to apoptotic …


Mechanism (S) Of Metal-Induced Apoptosis In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Amrita Mohan Nargund Apr 2010

Mechanism (S) Of Metal-Induced Apoptosis In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Amrita Mohan Nargund

Biology Dissertations

Heavy metals, such as copper and cadmium have been linked to a number of cellular dysfunctions in single and multicellular organisms that are associated with apoptosis. The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, provides a valuable model for elucidating apoptosis mechanisms, and this study extends that capability to Cu and Cd-induced apoptosis. We demonstrate that S. cerevisiae undergoes a glucose-dependent, programmed cell death in response to low cadmium concentrations, which is initiated within the first hour of Cd exposure. The response was associated with induction of the yeast caspase, Yca1p, and was abolished in YCA1∆ mutant. Other apoptotic markers, including sub-G1 DNA fragmentation …


Mechanisms Of Controlled Proteolysis During Drosophila Spermatogenesis: Coordinate Action Of Apoptotic Caspases And The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, Maya Bader Jan 2010

Mechanisms Of Controlled Proteolysis During Drosophila Spermatogenesis: Coordinate Action Of Apoptotic Caspases And The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, Maya Bader

Student Theses and Dissertations

The regulation of apoptosis, or programmed cell death has been the subject of a vast body of research because of its implication in normal development, tissue homeostasis and a wide range of diseases. The major point of focus for understanding apoptosis regulation is the activation of its primary executioner: the caspase. This family of proteolytic enzymes has been shown to be tightly controlled, as many different proteins govern their transcription, stability, activation, and activity. Consequently, caspase regulation is extremely complex, and is further complicated by a discrepancy between different cell types and paradigms. Caspases have also been shown to have …


Cell Death Mechanisms In Drosophila Differentiated Photoreceptor Neurons, Alexis Robert Gambis Jan 2010

Cell Death Mechanisms In Drosophila Differentiated Photoreceptor Neurons, Alexis Robert Gambis

Student Theses and Dissertations

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a form of physiological cell death that is essential for normal development and homeostasis. At the end of pupal development of the Drosophila retina, cell death terminates and photoreceptor neurons complete their differentiation process. We use these terminally differentiated photoreceptor neurons as a system to study neurodegeneration. We first adapt and develop fluorescent tools for photoreceptor visualization in vivo. These tools enable a recessive genetic screen to search for genes required for the survival of differentiated photoreceptors. Many redox and mitochondrial genes were found to protect photoreceptors from late cell death. Here, we focus …