Life Sciences Commons^™

Structure-Function Investigation Of Proteins Involved In Cellulose Biosynthesis By Escherichia Coli, Thomas Brenner

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Bacteria thrive within multicellular communities called biofilms consisting of a self-produced matrix. Biofilm matrices improve bacterial adherence to surfaces while creating a barrier from host immune responses, disinfectants, antibiotics and other environmental factors. Persistent colonization by the widely distributed pathogens, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., has been linked to production of biofilms composed of the exopolysaccharide cellulose. Cellulose-containing biofilms are also important to Acetobacter, Sarcina, Rhizobium and Agrobacterium species to form symbiotic and pathogenic interactions. In Enterobacteriaceae, two operons (bcsABZC and bcsEFG) are proposed to encode for proteins that form a cellulose biosynthetic complex that spans the …

Macronutrient Supplementation For Endurance Athletes, Jonathan B. Hurst

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Purpose: The present study addressed two questions related to macronutrient supplementation during endurance exercise. Firstly, the effects of carbohydrate and protein co-ingestion on time trial (TT) performance were compared to carbohydrate alone. Secondly, the effects of isolated protein ingestion on TT performance were compared to a placebo.

Methods: Six trained cyclists (Age: 22 ± 1 years; Height: 167 ± 12 cm; Weight: 60 ± 10 kg; VO_2max: 62 ± 7 ml/kg/min) completed four experimental trials, consisting of constant-load cycling for two hours (55% W_max) immediately followed by a 30-km simulated time trial. During the trials, subjects …

Application Of Β-Lactamase Reporter Fusions As An Indicator Of Effector Protein Secretion During Infections With The Obligate Intracellular Pathogen Chlamydia Trachomatis , Konrad E. Mueller, Kenneth A. Fields

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Chlamydia spp. utilize multiple secretion systems, including the type III secretion system (T3SS), to deploy host-interactive effector proteins into infected host cells. Elucidation of secreted proteins has traditionally required ectopic expression in a surrogate T3SS followed by immunolocalization of endogenous candidate effectors to confirm secretion by chlamydiae. The ability to transform Chlamydia and achieve stable expression of recombinant gene products has enabled a more direct assessment of secretion. We adapted TEM-1 β-lactamase as a reporter system for assessment of chlamydial protein secretion. We provide evidence that this system facilitates visualization of secretion in the context of infection. Specifically, our findings …

The Effect Of Breakfast Protein Source On Postprandial Hunger And Glucose Response In Normal Weight And Overweight Young Women, Christina Crowder, Brianna I. Neumann, Jamie I. Baum

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Breakfast consumption has been linked to health benefits such as improved weight regulation and glucose control. Studies have shown higher protein breakfasts lead to a greater reduction in hunger compared to breakfasts higher in carbohydrates. However, few studies have examined the impact of higher protein breakfasts from differing protein sources. The objective of this study was to determine if protein quality (animal (AP) versus plant (PP) protein) influences postprandial appetite, food cravings, food intake and glucose response in participants consuming a high protein breakfast (~30% energy from protein). We hypothesized that AP would be more satiating than PP. Normal weight …

Relationships Between Sarcomere Length And Basic Composition Of Infraspinatus And Longissimus Dorsi Muscle, Dominika Guzek, Dominika Glabska, Krzysztof Glabski, Grzegorz Pogorzelski, Jerzy Barszczewski, Agnieszka Wierzbicka

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sarcomere length and basic composition (water, protein, ash, collagen, and fat content including marbling) of beef muscles with fast-twitch glycolytic (longissimus dorsi muscle) and slow-twitch oxidative fibers (infraspinatus muscle) in Limousin bulls. Samples (n = 15) were obtained from federally inspected slaughter facilities, and animals used in the experiment were treated according to standard ethical norms. The shortest sarcomeres were observed for longissimus dorsi from striploin, and the longest for infraspinatus muscle. Additionally, the influence of both cut and animal was observed. In both cases of muscles, sarcomere length …

Heparin-Induced In Vitro Capacitation Changes Of Swamp Buffalo Spermatozoa, Dibyajyoti Talukdar, Kutubuddin Ahmed, Sourabh Deori, Gopal Chandra Das

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to evaluate heparin-induced in vitro capacitation-associated changes in spermatozoa of swamp buffalo. Therefore, freshly ejaculated and washed spermatozoa of 8 swamp buffalo bulls were capacitated in vitro in TALP medium supplemented with BSA, heparin, and HEPES buffer at a concentration of 6 × 109 spermatozoa/mL at 37 °C for 6 h. Capacitation status of spermatozoa in terms of the hyperactivated motility, acrosome membrane integrity, total hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and sperm membrane protein (SMP) and cholesterol content were estimated for each ejaculate at 1-h intervals …

Effects Of Duck Feed Supplemented With Invasive Giant Salvinia(Salvinia Molesta) On Duck Meat Characteristics, Bambang Dwiloka, Agus Setiadi, Siswanto Imam Santoso, Edjeng Suprijatna, Siti Susanti

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The present work was designed to study the potency of Salvinia molesta (SM) as feedstuff influencing meat characteristics in ducks for the first time. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented (FSM) and nonfermented (NFSM) SM powder as a duck feed supplement on the lipid composition (fat, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels) and fatty acid profile of duck meat, as well as its protein and water content. This study included eighty 4-week-old ducks, which were assigned at random to 2 groups based on treatment: basal diets (control) and supplementation with SM (15% NFSM, 15% FSM, 17.5% …

Defining The Functional Properties Of Dietary Protein And Protein-Rich Foods In Human Energy Expenditure, Sze Yen Tan, Linda Tapsell, Marijka Batterham, Karen Charlton

Karen E. Charlton

Food has a number of functional properties that can support the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure and, theoretically, one of these is the thermic effect of food. Including high-protein foods in meals may be advantageous in contributing to energy expenditure but, in practice, the evidence needs to relate to specific foods and normal dietary conditions. Using the human whole room calorimeter facility, we conducted three studies to examine the effects of: (i) higher and lower levels of protein on energy expenditure; (ii) high-protein meals using different foods to deliver the protein; and (iii) omnivorous and vegetarian cuisines in …

G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 4 Polymorphisms Predict Blood Pressure Response To Dietary Modification In Black Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Hypertension, B Rayner, R Ramesar, K Steyn, N Levitt, C Lombard, K Charlton

Karen E. Charlton

No abstract provided.

Metabolic Parameters And Emotionality Are Little Affected In G-Protein Coupled Receptor 12 (Gpr12) Mutant Mice, Elisabeth Frank, Yizhen Wu, Naomi Piyaratna, William James Body, P Snikeris, Timothy South, Anna-Karin Gerdin, Mikael Bjursell, Mohammad Bohlooly-Y, Leonard H. Storlien, Xu-Feng Huang

Xu-Feng Huang

Background: G-protein coupled receptors (GPR) bear the potential to serve as yet unidentified drug targets for psychiatric and metabolic disorders. GPR12 is of major interest given its putative role in metabolic function and its unique brain distribution, which suggests a role in emotionality and affect. We tested Gpr12 deficient mice in a series of metabolic and behavioural tests and subjected them to a well-established high-fat diet feeding protocol. Methodology/Principal Findings: Comparing the mutant mice with wild type littermates, no significant differences were seen in body weight, fatness or weight gain induced by a high-fat diet. The Gpr12 mutant mice displayed …

Inter-Meal Interval Is Increased In Mice Fed A High Whey, As Opposed To Soy And Gluten, Protein Diets, Xu-Feng Huang, Timothy South, Yinghua Yu

Xu-Feng Huang

This study aimed to characterise meal patterns and satiety effects of diets that are high in protein but differ in protein source. Using a computerised automatic recording system, meal pattern behaviour was recorded continuously for 7 days in mice fed single (whey, soy or gluten) or different combined protein diets. Overall, average energy intake was significantly lower in mice fed a whey protein diet than those fed soy, gluten and lab chow diets. Among these four diets, the inter-meal interval of mice fed a whey protein diet was the longest and their meal number was the lowest. Combination of whey …

Effects Of Diets High In Whey, Soy, Red Meat And Milk Protein On Body Weight Maintenance In Diet-Induced Obesity In Mice, Xu-Feng Huang, Y Liu, Gita Rahardjo, Peter Mclennan, Linda Tapsell, William Buttemer

Xu-Feng Huang

This study examined the effects of different food sources of protein on energy intake, body weight maintenance, and on the responses of plasma leptin, insulin and adiponectin in chronic high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Obesity was induced in 47 mice with a high-fat diet for 20 weeks. They were divided into five diet groups to test the effects of a higher protein proportion (30% energy), achieved at the expense of carbohydrate. For the next eight weeks, four of the groups were fed diets of chow formulated with whey, soy, red meat or milk while the control group continued on their high-fat …

G Protein-Coupled Receptor 12 Deficiency Results In Decreased Energy Expenditure, Dyslipidemia And Obesity In Mice, L. Svensson, Xu-Feng Huang, M Jonnson, M Bjursell, M Boholooly, J Tornell, V Surve, A Gerdin

Xu-Feng Huang

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of The Effects And Current Treatments Of Laminin Deficiency, Joshua Mark Reynolds

Senior Honors Theses

Laminin (LM) is a network of proteins that functions as a connective framework of most cells in the body. It is composed of multiple different subunits and therefore has many different variations. It is a trimeric protein, meaning that it is composed primarily of ⍺, β, and γ chains. The differentiation of these subunits is what gives the different variants their functions. In addition, although LM is the primary molecule in scope, the network of other connective proteins involved in LM-associated diseases will also be covered in lesser detail because molecules like dystrophin, dystroglycan, collagen, and integrin are vital to …

Metabolic Parameters And Emotionality Are Little Affected In G-Protein Coupled Receptor 12 (Gpr12) Mutant Mice, Elisabeth Frank, Yizhen Wu, Naomi Piyaratna, William James Body, P Snikeris, Timothy South, Anna-Karin Gerdin, Mikael Bjursell, Mohammad Bohlooly-Y, Leonard H. Storlien, Xu-Feng Huang

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: G-protein coupled receptors (GPR) bear the potential to serve as yet unidentified drug targets for psychiatric and metabolic disorders. GPR12 is of major interest given its putative role in metabolic function and its unique brain distribution, which suggests a role in emotionality and affect. We tested Gpr12 deficient mice in a series of metabolic and behavioural tests and subjected them to a well-established high-fat diet feeding protocol. Methodology/Principal Findings: Comparing the mutant mice with wild type littermates, no significant differences were seen in body weight, fatness or weight gain induced by a high-fat diet. The Gpr12 mutant mice displayed …

Strategic Discussions For Nebraska: Opportunities For Nebraska -- Food Scarcity, Mary Garbacz

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

Strategic Discussions for Nebraska is a program in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources that produces an annual publication called Opportunities for Nebraska, focusing on a different topic each year. The publication is produced in hard copy and also is available online at www.sdn.unl.edu.

The content for each publication is produced by UNL students enrolled in a Magazine Writing course each spring semester, taught by the SDN coordinator. Students conduct interviews with UNL researchers and write stories for inclusion in the publication. The interviews are captured on video and are edited into video montages, …

Metacaspase Gene Function In The Mushroom Fungus Schizophyllum Commune, Matthew P. Hanley

Honors Theses

The overall goal of this project was to investigate the biological role of a putative metacaspase gene present in the mushroom fungus Schizophyllum commune. For this study, we have utilized a strain of S. commune that is unable to integrate DNA via the non-homologous end joining pathway. This forces transforming DNA to integrate homologously, as is required for the purposes of gene knockout. The gene Scp1 encodes a likely member of the metacaspase protein family, which are suspected to have activity similar to caspases, the latter crucial to programmed cell death. A knockout construct containing a non-functional version of Scp1 …

Effects Of Arginine On The Kinetics Of Bovine Insulin Aggregation Studied By Dynamic Light Scattering, Michael M. Varughese

Honors Theses

In the fields of protein science and medicine, understanding the kinetics of protein aggregation are significant in the research and treatment of certain amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Previous studies have suggested that arginine can increase the solubility of certain proteins, suppress protein aggregation, and assist in the refolding of aggregated proteins; however, the molecular mechanisms by which arginine can influence protein aggregation are still unclear. Bovine insulin was employed as a model system for further understanding the effects of arginine on protein aggregation. Using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), we studied the concentration-dependent and temperature-dependent suppression of aggregation in insulin …

Crystal Structure Of A Charge Engineered Human Lysozyme Having Enhanced Bactericidal Activity, Avinash Gill, Thomas C. Scanlon, Daniel C. Osipovitch, Dean R. Madden, Karl E. Griswold

Dartmouth Scholarship

Human lysozyme is a key component of the innate immune system, and recombinant forms of the enzyme represent promising leads in the search for therapeutic agents able to treat drug-resistant infections. The wild type protein, however, fails to participate effectively in clearance of certain infections due to inherent functional limitations. For example, wild type lysozymes are subject to electrostatic sequestration and inactivation by anionic biopolymers in the infected airway. A charge engineered variant of human lysozyme has recently been shown to possess improved antibacterial activity in the presence of disease associated inhibitory molecules. Here, the 2.04 A ̊ crystal structure …

Characterization Of Conserved Properties Of Hemagglutinin Of H5n1 And Human Influenza Viruses: Possible Consequences For Therapy And Infection Control, Veljko Veljkovic, Nevena Veljkovic, Claude P. Muller, Sybille Müller, Sanja Glisic, Vladimir Perovic, Heinz Köhler

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Epidemics caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) are a continuing threat to human health and to the world's economy. The development of approaches, which help to understand the significance of structural changes resulting from the alarming mutational propensity for human-to-human transmission of HPAIV, is of particularly interest. Here we compare informational and structural properties of the hemagglutinin (HA) of H5N1 virus and human influenza virus subtypes, which are important for the receptor/virus interaction.

RESULTS: Presented results revealed that HA proteins encode highly conserved information that differ between influenza virus subtypes H5N1, H1N1, H3N2, H7N7 and defined an …

Characterisation Of Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus Species Isolated From Bovine Mastitis Using Protein And Plasmid Patterns, Emi̇ne Arslan, Ayten Çelebi̇, Leyla Açik, Uçkun Sai̇t Uçan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The objective of this work was to study the protein patterns, plasmid profiles, and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus aureus isolates originating from mastitic mammary glands of dairy cattle in different parts of Konya province. A total of 114 Staphylococcus species were isolated and identified by conventional bacteriological methods from bovine mastitis. Of the total isolates 77 were identified as S. aureus and 37 as S. intermedius. Intra- and inter-species diversities in the coagulase-positive staphylococci were investigated by analysis of whole-cell protein profiles using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Plasmid profiling also demonstrated that 75 S. aureus …

Coupling Coherence Distinguishes Structure Sensitivity In Protein Electron Transfer, Tatiana Prytkova, Igor V. Kurnikov, David Beratan

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Quantum mechanical analysis of electron tunneling in nine thermally fluctuating cytochrome b562 derivatives reveals two distinct protein-mediated coupling limits. A structure-insensitive regime arises for redox partners coupled through dynamically averaged multiple-coupling pathways (in seven of the nine derivatives) where heme-edge coupling leads to the multiple-pathway regime. A structure-dependent limit governs redox partners coupled through a dominant pathway (in two of the nine derivatives) where axial-ligand coupling generates the single-pathway limit and slower rates. This two-regime paradigm provides a unified description of electron transfer rates in 26 ruthenium-modified heme and blue-copper proteins, as well as in numerous photosynthetic proteins.

Changes In Energy Expenditure With Ingestion Of High Protein, High Fat Versus High Protein, Low Fat Meals Among Underweight, Normal Weight, And Overweight Females., Amy Jo Riggs, Sareen S. Gropper, Barry D. White

Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Background: Metabolic rate is known to rise above basal levels after eating, especially following protein consumption. Yet, this postprandial rise in metabolism appears to vary among individuals. This study examined changes in energy expenditure in response to ingestion of a high protein, high fat (HPHF) meal versus an isocaloric high protein, low fat (HPLF) meal in underweight, normal weight, or overweight females (n = 21) aged 19–28 years.

Methods: Energy expenditure, measured using indirect calorimetry, was assessed before and every 30 minutes for 3.5 hours following consumption of the meals on two separate occasions. Height and weight were …

Protein And Lipid Content And Fatty Acid Composition Of Anchovy Meal Produced In Turkey, Hülya Turan, Yalçin Kaya, İbrahi̇m Erkoyuncu

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this research was to determine the fatty acid composition and lipid and protein levels of anchovy meal produced during the commercial fishing period. The protein content was 74.69%, 76.17% and 74.40% in November, December and January, respectively. The lipid content ranged from 8.57% to 9.14% for anchovy meal produced during the fishing season. The total saturated fatty acid content was 33.25%, 33.46%, and 33.61% in November, December and January, respectively. Within the saturated fraction, the major fatty acid was palmitic acid (C_{16:0}), the content of which was 20.30%, 19.96% and 20.66%, respectively. The monounsaturated fatty acid contents …

Protein Profile And Plasmid Content Of Lactococcus Lactis Subsp. Lactis Ll52 And Lactococcus Lactis Subsp. Cremoris Lc79 Strains Under Several Stress Conditions, Rahmi̇ Lale, Çağla Tükel, Mustafa Akçeli̇k

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Differences in the protein and plasmid content of 2 Lactococcus lactis strains, L. lactis subsp. lactis LL52 and L. lactis subsp. cremoris LC79, under the stresses of high and low temperature, osmotic shock, and low pH were determined. We identified 3 new proteins with molecular masses of 16.0, 29.4, and 45.0 kDa as high temperature stress response specific in strain LL52. High temperature stress did not cause any changes in the protein content of strain LC79. Proteins that were specific for salt stress and low pH stress responses ranged between 16.0 and 40.5 kDa, and 24.8 and 107.5 kDa, respectively, …

In Vitro Expression And Purification Of Class I Mhc Molecules, Loi Cheng

Honors Scholar Theses

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a gene family responsible for many critical functions of the immune system in most vertebrates. The MHC consists of three classes differentiated by their structure and function, and MHC class I encodes antigen binding proteins as well as chaperone and accessory proteins such as tapasin. The purpose of this project is to reconstitute several human MHC class I molecules in their peptide-filled and peptide-deficient forms, and to purify these proteins for biochemical study. The expressed proteins include wild type and mutant variants of the fusion protein human leukocyte antigen HLA-B*0801-fos, and human beta-2-microglobulin (β2m). …

Importance Of Soy Protein And Isoflavone Intake For Protection Against Heart Disease, A Thorp, J Buckley, A Coates, Trevor A Mori, Jo Hodgson, Jackie Mansour, Peter Howe, Barbara Meyer

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract presented at The 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 29 November - 2 December, Sydney, Australia

Transposon Disruption Of The Complex I Nadh Oxidoreductase Gene (Snod) In Staphylococcus Aureus Is Associated With Reduced Susceptibility To The Microbicidal Activity Of Thrombin-Induced Platelet Microbicidal Protein 1, Arnold S. Bayer, Peter Mcnamara, Michael R. Yeaman, Natalie Lucindo, Tiffanny Jones, Ambrose L. Cheung

Dartmouth Scholarship

The cationic molecule thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein 1 (tPMP-1) exerts potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus. We previously reported that a Tn551 S. aureus transposon mutant, ISP479R, and two bacteriophage back-transductants, TxA and TxB, exhibit reduced in vitro susceptibility to tPMP-1 (tPMP-1(r)) compared to the parental strain, ISP479C (V. Dhawan, M. R. Yeaman, A. L. Cheung, E. Kim, P. M. Sullam, and A. S. Bayer, Infect. Immun. 65:3293-3299, 1997). In the current study, the genetic basis for tPMP-1(r) in these mutants was identified. GenBank homology searches using sequence corresponding to chromosomal DNA flanking Tn551 mutant strains showed that the fourth gene …

Dietary Supplements And Sports Performance: Amino Acids, Melvin H. Williams

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

This is the third in a series of six articles to discuss the major classes of dietary supplements (vitamins; minerals; amino acids; herbs or botanicals; metabolites, constituents/extracts, or combinations). The major focus is on efficacy of such dietary supplements to enhance exercise or sport performance.

T-Cell Responses To The M3 Immune Evasion Protein Of Murid Gammaherpesvirus 68 Are Partially Protective And Induced With Lytic Antigen Kinetics, Joshua J. Obar, Douglas C. Donovan, Sarah G. Crist, Ondine Silvia, James P. Stewart, Edward J. Usherwood

Dartmouth Scholarship

DNA vaccination with the M3 gene, encoding an immune evasion molecule expressed during both the acute lytic and persistent phases of murid gammaherpesvirus 68 infection, yielded a significantly lower titer of virus in the lung than controls. The protection seen was dependent on T cells, and we mapped an epitope recognized by CD8 T cells. The immune response to this epitope follows the same kinetics as lytic cycle antigens, despite the fact that this gene is expressed in both lytic and persistent stages of infection. This has important implications for our understanding of T-cell responses to putative latency-associated gammaherpesvirus proteins …