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Articles 1 - 30 of 294
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Furthering Ascidian Taxonomy Using Molecular Biology, Nicholas Gulnick
Furthering Ascidian Taxonomy Using Molecular Biology, Nicholas Gulnick
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ascidians are our closest invertebrate relatives and comprise nearly 3,000 species separated into three orders: Aplousobranchia (most speciose), Stolidobranchia, and Phlebobranchia (least speciose). Ascidians can be classified as either solitary or colonial organisms. Species delimitation using morphological characters alone has had varied results. Well known, widely distributed, morphological species have turned out to be catch all species comprised of several cryptic species. Molecular markers can help mitigate some of the issues presented by strictly using morphological observations, including resolving the status of cryptic species, and accessing the expert knowledge required to identify a species. By incorporating molecular markers and pairing …
Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali
Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Dromedarian camel, Camelus dromedarius, is native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the Sultanate of Oman. These camels are used for food, milk, as well as show and racing competitions. Despite their economic and cultural importance research on camels in Oman is limited. The goal of this study was to examine their genomic variation, relationship with camels in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and to determine if selective breeding has led to the establishment of distinct breeds in Oman. Information was compiled from multiple sources to produce a comprehensive review on the breeding, management, economic and cultural use, …
Interactions Between Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) And Pathogenic Bacteria In Culled Potato Waste, Matthew A. Moyet
Interactions Between Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) And Pathogenic Bacteria In Culled Potato Waste, Matthew A. Moyet
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The focus of this dissertation is to investigate the feasibility and safety of rearing black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) on culled potato waste in the presence of pathogens. World food and feed supplies remain insufficient while the demand for alternative protein sources is steadily increasing. Recycling organic waste into ingredients of animal feeds using black soldier larvae, which are omnivorous saprotrophs native to North America, is a rapidly emerging technology that shows great promise for creating circular agricultural systems. To optimize this technology on an industrial scale, assessment of rearing conditions on different feeding substrates and the …
Characterizing The Neuronal Signaling Required For Muscle-Specific And Whole Body Enhanced Proteostasis Effects Of Low Mrna Translation, Marissa N. Ruzga
Characterizing The Neuronal Signaling Required For Muscle-Specific And Whole Body Enhanced Proteostasis Effects Of Low Mrna Translation, Marissa N. Ruzga
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In the study of aging, there is a common paradigm that organisms allocate energy between surviving stressful conditions and growth/reproduction (Masoro, 2000). Driving mechanisms that favor the former extend lifespan and protect against cellular stress in different animal systems, including C. elegans. Dietary restriction is one such environmental stressor, which leads to downregulation of the energy-intensive process of mRNA translation (Karol, 2009; Tavernarakis, 2008). When knocked down in adulthood, IFG-1, a component of translation regulation, also protects against cellular stress. Protective effects of low translation appear to be orchestrated by certain tissues in C. elegans, namely neurons and …
Notch Signaling Regulates Perivascular Adipose Tissue Functions, Chenhao Yang
Notch Signaling Regulates Perivascular Adipose Tissue Functions, Chenhao Yang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
High fat diet (HFD) can contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in humans, and diabetes is a major risk factor for CVD. The comorbidity of these two metabolic disorders indicates shared mechanisms of pathology. As a component of the vasculature, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) regulates vasoreactivity and contributes to obesity-related vascular pathologies, such as atherosclerosis, through paracrine signaling. The Notch pathway plays fundamental roles in cell fate decisions and growth, and is involved in adipocyte metabolic homeostasis. Previous studies have shown that constitutive Notch signaling in adipose tissue promotes pathological conversion of aortic PVAT in mice fed a control …
Advancing Biological Applications Through Microfluidic-Based Tool Development, K.M. Taufiqur Rahman
Advancing Biological Applications Through Microfluidic-Based Tool Development, K.M. Taufiqur Rahman
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research undertook an interdisciplinary approach, integrating bioengineering, microbiology, molecular biology, and systems biology to investigate bacterial dynamics behavior. Specifically, it delved into the development of microfluidic devices for biological applications such as bacterial cell counts, real-time observation of plant roots (here, specialized lectin-coated microbeads are used that mimic root characteristics), and soil microbe interactions. Furthermore, Next-Generation Sequencing and systems biology methodologies were employed to explore the intricate, multifaceted survival mechanisms of Escherichia coli persister population. Studying and quantifying persisters or testing for the existence of VBNC (viable but nonculturable) is challenging. These experiments require precise counts. It has been …
On The Anti-Adipogenic Function Of Collagen Triple Helix Repeat-Containing Protein 1, Matthew E. Siviski
On The Anti-Adipogenic Function Of Collagen Triple Helix Repeat-Containing Protein 1, Matthew E. Siviski
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Adipogenesis is regulated by the coordinated activity of adipogenic transcription factors, including PPAR-gamma (PPARG) and C/EBP alpha (CEBPA). Thus, dysregulated adipogenesis predisposes adipose tissues to adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. We have previously reported that mice possessing a homozygous null gene mutation in collagen triple helix repeat-containing protein 1 (CTHRC1) have increased adiposity compared to wildtype mice, supporting the concept that CTHRC1 regulates body composition. Herein, we investigated the anti-adipogenic activity of CTHRC1. Using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, we showed significantly reduced adipogenic differentiation in the presence of CTHRC1 commensurate to marked suppression of Cebpa and Pparg gene expression. In addition, CTHRC1 increased …
Flavonol Glucosylation: A Structural Investigation Of The Flavonol Specific 3-O Glucosyltransferase Cp3gt, Aaron S. Birchfield
Flavonol Glucosylation: A Structural Investigation Of The Flavonol Specific 3-O Glucosyltransferase Cp3gt, Aaron S. Birchfield
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Flavonoid glycosyltransferases (GTs), enzymes integral to plant ecological responses and human pharmacology, necessitate rigorous structural elucidation to decipher their mechanistic function and substrate specificity, particularly given their role in the biotransformation of diverse pharmacological agents and natural products. This investigation delved into a comprehensive exploration of the flavonol 3-O GT from Citrus paradisi (Cp3GT), scrutinizing the impact of a c-terminal c-myc/6x histidine tag on its enzymatic activity and substrate specificity, and successfully achieving its purification to apparent homogeneity. This established a strong foundation for potential future crystallographic and other structure/function analyses. Through the strategic implementation of site-directed mutagenesis, a thrombin …
The Interplay Between Lung Adenocarcinoma, Nutrient Availability, And The Microbiome., Alexis A. Vega
The Interplay Between Lung Adenocarcinoma, Nutrient Availability, And The Microbiome., Alexis A. Vega
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer diagnosed, and has the highest lethality rate across all other forms of cancer in the U.S. While current therapeutic options include chemo-, immuno-, and radio-therapy, the benefits of caloric or nutrient restriction on cancer cells has also been investigated. Due to the many biological functions associated with methionine, many have proposed a methionine restricted diet would lead to favorable outcomes when combating cancer. Although our cells are incapable of synthesizing methionine, the bacteria found in our microbiome can. Furthermore, recent discoveries suggest an independent microbiome found within tumors that …
Endothelial Interleukin-17 Receptor D (Il17rd) Promotes Western Diet-Induced Aortic Myeloid Cell Infiltration, Shivangi Pande
Endothelial Interleukin-17 Receptor D (Il17rd) Promotes Western Diet-Induced Aortic Myeloid Cell Infiltration, Shivangi Pande
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Interleukin-17 (IL17) family is a group of cytokines implicated in the etiology of several inflammatory diseases. Interleukin-17 receptor D (IL17RD), also known as Sef (similar expression to fibroblast growth factor), belonging to the family of IL17 receptors, has been shown to modulate IL17A-associated inflammatory phenotypes. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that IL17RD promotes endothelial cell activation and consequent monocyte adhesion. We utilized primary human aortic endothelial cells and demonstrated that RNAi targeting of IL17RD suppressed transcript levels by 83% compared to non-targeted controls. Further, RNAi knockdown of IL17RD decreased the adhesion of THP-1 cells …
Rhythms In Rna And Proliferation In Intestinal Stem Cell Organoids, Kristina Skurvidayte
Rhythms In Rna And Proliferation In Intestinal Stem Cell Organoids, Kristina Skurvidayte
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The circadian clock is a transcription-translation feedback loop that controls our body’s daily rhythms. Previous work in our lab has shown that the circadian clock controls regeneration in the small intestinal epithelium and that the Hippo signaling pathway may serve as a link between regeneration and the circadian clock. In order to elucidate if the circadian clock directly controls the Hippo pathway as well as the Wnt pathway, both vital for intestinal homeostasis, intestinal stem cell-derived organoids, a 3D culture system that is able to recapitulate the cell biology of the intestinal epithelium in vitro, were used to examine the …
Epitranscriptomic Regulation In Breast Cancer And Pcb-Induced Liver Disease., Belinda Petri
Epitranscriptomic Regulation In Breast Cancer And Pcb-Induced Liver Disease., Belinda Petri
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Post-transcriptional RNA modifications including N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulate mRNA stability, splicing, and translation. My research examined m6A in two disease models: breast cancer (BCa) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Acquired resistance to endocrine therapies (ET) develops in approximately 20% of BCa patients with estrogen receptor α positive (ER+) tumors following treatment. The mechanisms by which tumor cells evade ET are not completely understood. Using a cell line model, we investigated the role of an m6A reader protein, HNRNPA2B1 (A2B1) that is upregulated in ET-resistant ER+ BCa cells. Stable overexpression of A2B1 in ET-sensitive MCF-7 cells (MCF-7-A2B1), results in ET resistance, …
Neuronal Or Intestinal Knockdown Of C. Elegans Nadk-1 Decreases Oxygen Consumption And Reactive Oxygen Species, Jake Regan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2 can damage cellular components and are formed as a byproduct of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Studies using the nematode C. elegans have found that increasing ROS during development or early adulthood can extend lifespan, while increasing ROS during later adulthood normally decreases lifespan. NADPH provides the reducing power for several cellular antioxidants and is synthesized in a two-step reaction from NAD+ with the first step being catalyzed by NAD kinase (NADK). In this study, the effects of knocking down C. elegans cytoplasmic NADK, nadk-1 globally or in a neuron or intestine-specific manner starting from …
Cyclic-Di-Gmp Regulates Salmonella Typhimurium Infection Of Epithelial Cells And Macrophages, Abdulafiz Musa
Cyclic-Di-Gmp Regulates Salmonella Typhimurium Infection Of Epithelial Cells And Macrophages, Abdulafiz Musa
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Regulation of the bacterial second messenger cyclic-di-GMP in Salmonella Typhimurium allows it to delicately alter phenotypes to optimize invasion and survive intracellularly in epithelial cells and macrophages to become virulent and cause infection. Cyclic-di-GMP concentration is regulated by the presence of external stimuli, sensory diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs), and cyclic-di-GMP binding effectors. Previous studies established that maintenance of low cyclic-di-GMP concentrations is required for survival in macrophages, and that deletion of 3 active PDEs reduces this survival. Here I showed that these 3 PDEs also influenced the infection of epithelial cells. Further studies re-established the decreased survival in …
Small Gtpase Regulated Intracellular Protein Trafficking In Endothelium, Caitlin Francis
Small Gtpase Regulated Intracellular Protein Trafficking In Endothelium, Caitlin Francis
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Intracellular protein trafficking is the movement of membrane-bound organelles to and from requisite locations within the cell. Small GTPases are a critical component to the spatiotemporal accuracy of intracellular trafficking pathways as they determine the specificity and direction of organelle transport. There exists over 150 small GTPases categorized into 5 sub-families and are employed across all cell types. Despite their universal expression and relevance to cellular function, small GTPases remain incompletely understood across tissue types. In various instances, the trafficking pathway of a particular Rab in one cell type may belong to a completely disparate pathway in another cell type. …
Dna Methylation And The Response To Infection In Introduced House Sparrows, Melanie Gibson
Dna Methylation And The Response To Infection In Introduced House Sparrows, Melanie Gibson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Epigenetics is the study of molecular modification of a genome without changing its base pairs. The most studied type of epigenetic mechanism is DNA methylation, which is capable of turning a gene “on” or “off.” Epigenetic potential is the capacity to which an individual can have methylation on its genome. The more CpGs available, the greater the epigenetic potential. In invasive species, genetic variation has been observed to be paradoxical: not much of it exists on a genomic level, but epigenetically, phenotypic variation can occur. The focus on shift in gene expression in this study is on Toll-Like Receptor 4 …
Identifying The Role Of Phospholipase D1 And Phosphatidic Acid In Exocytosis, Broderick L. Bills
Identifying The Role Of Phospholipase D1 And Phosphatidic Acid In Exocytosis, Broderick L. Bills
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Exocytosis is an essential process for intercellular communication in eukaryotic cells. This process involves significant changes in membrane curvature, and lipids and curvature-sensing proteins can assist these processes. One protein in particular, phospholipase D1 (PLD1), and its product, the lipid phosphatidic acid (PA), are involved in multiple exocytic processes. However, PLD1 and PA’s role in this process has remained unclear. In this work, PLD1 and the production of PA were visualized during exocytosis, and PA localization to regions of membrane curvature was established. Together, these results support the hypothesis that PLD1 production of PA stabilizes negative curvature during membrane fusion. …
Characterization Of Parp1-Dependent Poly-Adp-Ribosylation Of Sprtn, Quincee Simonson
Characterization Of Parp1-Dependent Poly-Adp-Ribosylation Of Sprtn, Quincee Simonson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are a type of DNA lesion that form when proteins become covalently linked to DNA. It is estimated that replicating cells experience approximately 6,000 DPCs per day per genome during exponential growth (Ruggiano & Ramadan, 2021). If left unrepaired, DPCs can be lethal to cells. For this reason, cells have evolved multiple pathways to repair or bypass DPCs to survive. One such pathway involves SPRTN, a nuclear metalloprotease that plays a key role in the repair of DPCs through direct proteolysis (Lopez-Mosqueda et al., 2016; Vaz et al., 2016). Once SPRTN degrades the bulky protein component of …
Next-Generation Sequencing Shows Increasing Temperatures Affect Stream Fungal Communities, Regan Hodgson
Next-Generation Sequencing Shows Increasing Temperatures Affect Stream Fungal Communities, Regan Hodgson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Under climate change predictions, surface air temperature is expected to continue to rise and will likely affect functioning of stream ecosystems and microbial communities. Aquatic hyphomycetes are key fungal decomposers of plant litter in headwater streams controlling carbon, energy, and nutrient flows to higher trophic levels. This project addressed the effects of temperature on stream fungal communities in two recently conducted experiments (microcosm and streamside channel studies) using Illumina sequencing. The objectives were to determine (1) if temperature affects community structure of stream fungi based on relative abundances of ITS2 rDNA sequences, (2) if the effects of temperature on aquatic …
Re-Engineering Cardio-Oncology Testing Using Biomimetic Heart Slice Cultures., Jessica Miller
Re-Engineering Cardio-Oncology Testing Using Biomimetic Heart Slice Cultures., Jessica Miller
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
28% of drug withdrawal from the market are due to unforeseen disruptions in cardiomyocyte contractility and electrophysiology. The most commonly used platforms for drug testing are in vivo animal models and in vitro cell culture models. While both have been of paramount importance for the discovery and detection of many cardiotoxicities and mechanisms of action, they lack the ability to model an intact human myocardium. This work aims to establish cardiac tissue slices, which are 300-micron thin tissue sections taken from the left ventricular myocardium, as an alternative platform for cardio-oncology studies, specifically cardiotoxicity testing. Additionally, this work aims to …
Sequencing And Functional Characterization Of A Latrodectus Geometricus Defensin, Lg-Defensin, Jacklyn Victoria Thompson
Sequencing And Functional Characterization Of A Latrodectus Geometricus Defensin, Lg-Defensin, Jacklyn Victoria Thompson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Defensins are small, cysteine-rich, immune related proteins described to be the most widespread family of invertebrate antimicrobial peptides. Presently, there is limited information regarding spider defensins. In this study, a new defensin peptide was described in Latrodectus geometricus, Lg-defensin. The full open reading frame was resolved using RACE and de novo assembly, followed by a bioinformatical analysis and phylogenetic alignment to determine conserved sequence patterns and structural similarities to other defensins. Next, the functionality of Lg-defensin was determined using in vitro RNA interference to assess what impact silencing had on the spider’s ability to control a gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial …
Identification And Characterization Of Genetic Elements That Regulate A C-Di-Gmp Mediated Multicellular Trait In Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Collin Kessler
Identification And Characterization Of Genetic Elements That Regulate A C-Di-Gmp Mediated Multicellular Trait In Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Collin Kessler
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Microbial communities contain densely packed cells where competition for space and resources are fierce. These communities are generally referred to as biofilms and provide advantages to individual cells against immunological and antimicrobial intervention, dehydration, and predation. High intracellular pools of cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) cause cells to aggregate during biofilm formation through the production of diverse extracellular polymers. Genes that encode c-di-GMP catalytic enzymes are commonly mutated during chronic infections where opportunists display enhanced resistance to phagocytosis and antibiotics. Our lab uses an emergent multicellular trait in the model organism Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1 to study the emergence of c-di-GMP mutations …
A Computational Model Of The Line-1 Retrotransposon Life Cycle And Visualization Of Metabolic Networks In 3-Dimensions., Michael D. Martin
A Computational Model Of The Line-1 Retrotransposon Life Cycle And Visualization Of Metabolic Networks In 3-Dimensions., Michael D. Martin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Computational modeling of metabolic reactions and cellular systems is evolving as a tool for quantitative prediction of metabolic parameters and reaction pathway analysis. In this work, the basics of computational cell biology are presented as well as a summary of physical processes within the cell, and the algorithmic methods used to find time dependent solutions. Protein-protein and enzyme-substrate interactions are mathematically represented via mass action kinetics to construct sets of linear differential equations that describe reaction rates and formation of protein complexes. Using mass action methods, examples of reaction networks and their solutions are presented within the Virtual Cell simulation …
Determination Of The Functional Role Of Rab-Ggt In Physcomitrium Patens., Hyun Jin Jung
Determination Of The Functional Role Of Rab-Ggt In Physcomitrium Patens., Hyun Jin Jung
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Protein prenylation, a common lipid post-translational modification, is required for growth and development in eukaryotes. Rab geranylgeranylation involves the addition of one or two 20-carbon geranylgeranyl moieties to Rab-GTPase target proteins, which regulate intracellular vesicle trafficking. The reaction is carried out by heterodimeric Rab geranylgeranyltransferase (Rab-GGT), which is composed of two associated α- and β-subunits, with the assistance of an additional protein called Rab escort protein (REP). Loss of function of the Rab-GGT α subunit RGTA1 has not been reported in any plant. While knockout of either of the two β subunits RGTB1 or RGTB2 results in …
Applications Of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: From Drug Discovery To Protein Structure And Dynamics., Mark Vincent C. Dela Cerna
Applications Of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: From Drug Discovery To Protein Structure And Dynamics., Mark Vincent C. Dela Cerna
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The versatility of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is apparent when presented with diverse applications to which it can contribute. Here, NMR is used i) as a screening/ validation tool for a drug discovery program targeting the Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 (PRL3), ii) to characterize the conformational heterogeneity of p53 regulator, Murine Double Minute X (MDMX), and iii) to characterize the solution dynamics of guanosine monophosphate kinase (GMPK). Mounting evidence suggesting roles for PRL3 in oncogenesis and metastasis has catapulted it into prominence as a cancer drug target. Yet, despite significant efforts, there are no PRL3 small molecule inhibitors …
A Review Of Current Methods In Avian Dietary Analysis And Their Integrated Application To Characterize The Trophic Niche Of Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia Motacilla)., Brandon Hoenig
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Characterizing a species’ dietary composition presents an avenue to understand many facets of its ecological niche and can provide essential information for the species’ long-term conservation. To date, the vast majority of diet studies have relied on direct identification of prey during foraging observations or from diet samples to characterize the dietary habits of birds. However, advancements in laboratory-based approaches have revolutionized the field of trophic ecology by allowing researchers to indirectly infer dietary habits with higher resolution across greater time scales. Here, I apply two of these laboratory-based techniques, namely DNA metabarcoding and stable isotope analysis, to characterize the …
The Role Of Foxd1 In Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Kyle H. Bond
The Role Of Foxd1 In Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Kyle H. Bond
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the 8th most common cancer in the United States, with the clear cell variant (ccRCC) being the most prevalent. Over 14,000 people die every year to RCC, with rates continuing to increase with an aging general population. Patients suffering from metastatic RCC (mRCC) have extremely poor prognoses, with a 5-year survival of only 11.2%. Current treatment options include resection of primary lesions, tyrosine kinase inhibition (Sunitinib, Pazopanib), mTOR inhibition (Temsirolimus, Everolimus), and immune checkpoint inhibition (Nivolumab, Atezolizumab). Recent attention has been drawn to inhibition of transcription factors like HIF2α (Belzutifan). There is a need …
Cannabinoids And Retinal Fibrotic Disorders., Lucy June Sloan
Cannabinoids And Retinal Fibrotic Disorders., Lucy June Sloan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Retinal fibrosis is detrimental to vision. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells contribute to several retinal fibrotic diseases. Upon exposure to TGF-β, a key fibrotic cytokine, RPE cells trans-differentiate to myofibroblasts marked by the integration of α-SMA fibers into F-actin stress fibers, which confer strong contractility. Myofibroblasts produce and contract the collagen-rich fibrotic scar and disrupt retinal architecture. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of the putative endocannabinoid compound N-oleoyl dopamine (OLDA) on TGF-β2 induced porcine RPE cell contraction and α-SMA expression. Using an in vitro collagen matrix contraction assay, we found that OLDA inhibited TGF-β2 induced contraction …
Epigenetic Buffering In Introduced House Sparrows, M. Ellesse Lauer
Epigenetic Buffering In Introduced House Sparrows, M. Ellesse Lauer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Epigenetic buffering, as an environmentally induced increase in variance of epigenetic states that increases phenotypic variation to buffer populations against decreased fitness, may be a factor that resolves the genetic paradox of introduced species. DNA methylation is a molecular mechanism that could facilitate epigenetic buffering by changing in response to environmental stress. Therefore, epigenetic buffering can be detected through increased variance in DNA methylation in novel or heterogeneous environments. Introduced house sparrows (Passer domesticus) have well-documented phenotypic changes with low genetic diversity, high epigenetic diversity, and high variance in DNA methylation that provide a characteristic signature of epigenetic buffering. …
Rnp Granules In Toxoplasma Gondii: Function And Formation, Scott Roscoe
Rnp Granules In Toxoplasma Gondii: Function And Formation, Scott Roscoe
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite capable of infecting mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. T. gondii only undergoes sexual reproduction in a feline host. In all other organisms the parasite reproduces asexually, either as fast growing tachyzoites or slow growing bradyzoites. Bradyzoites form latent cysts inside the host cell that can lay dormant for years and convert back to tachyzoites when the host’s immune system becomes weakened. Tachyzoites rapidly replicate in the host cell, eventually causing it to lyse. While extracellular, tachyzoites repress their own translation by phosphorylating the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2α and form microscopically visible aggregates of …