Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Comparative Animal Mucomics, Antonio R. Cerullo
Comparative Animal Mucomics, Antonio R. Cerullo
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Mucus is one of Nature’s most abundant and versatile biomaterials. These secretions are present in all animals, from the lowly garden snail to the great blue whale, and fulfill a multitude of functions, acting as antimicrobial barriers, moisturizers, adhesive glues, surface lubricants, and mineralizing agents. Despite their importance, very little is known about mucus compositions or properties. The largest challenge precluding the greater understanding of mucus function is its complexity; a single mucus contains complex mixtures of proteins, glycans, and ions that all have important roles in function. Therefore, understanding mucus function necessitates analysis that compares different mucus from one …
Structural Studies On Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Activation Of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase, Kwangwoon Lee
Structural Studies On Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Activation Of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase, Kwangwoon Lee
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF-2K) is a key modulator of the rate of protein synthesis. Activated by calcium-loaded calmodulin (Ca2+-CaM), eEF-2K phosphorylates its only known physiological substrate, eEF-2, on a specific threonine residue (Thr-56). Phosphorylated eEF-2 has reduced affinity for the ribosome, and results in a significant decrease in the rate of translation elongation. Modulation of the rate of translation elongation plays a crucial role in proteostasis – adequate regulation of protein synthesis, protein folding, and protein degradation that greatly influences cellular growth and survival. Binding of Ca2+-CaM triggers activation of eEF-2K and remains intact …