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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Modeling Algae Self-Replenishment, V. S. Manoranjan, Miguel A. Olmos Gomez, R. Corban Harwood Jan 2008

Modeling Algae Self-Replenishment, V. S. Manoranjan, Miguel A. Olmos Gomez, R. Corban Harwood

Faculty Publications - Department of Mathematics

This paper presents a sunlight-dependent algae growth model. Driven by the circumstances surrounding Lake Chapala, Mexico, this theoretical model is an endeavor to understand the resilient sustainability of algae that threatens the area’s ecosystem. In this paper, free-floating algae (phytoplankton) are treated as two distinct populations according to their location in the body of water: the vibrant sunlit upper region and the stagnate lower region where photosynthesis is not possible. The numerical solution for the model is analyzed and results are discussed in light of previous studies and the state of Lake Chapala.


M3-Muscarinic Receptor Activation Of Erk And Cell Growth Requires Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases In Mcf-7 Cells, John M. Schmitt, Ellen Abell, Andrea Wagner Jan 2008

M3-Muscarinic Receptor Activation Of Erk And Cell Growth Requires Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases In Mcf-7 Cells, John M. Schmitt, Ellen Abell, Andrea Wagner

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Abstract The extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway is found in diverse cells throughout the human body. ERK activation has been implicated in breast cancer cell growth and proliferation. Studies have shown that ERK is activated by carbachol, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) agonist, which increases intracellular calcium in MCF-7 cells. The calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM K) family of proteins including CaM KK, CaM KI, and CaM KII can be activated by increased intracellular calcium. Our goal was to determine whether CaM Ks may be responsible for ERK activation and cell proliferation in carbachol-treated MCF-7 cells and evaluate which …


Carbachol Regulation Of Akt In Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, John M. Schmitt, Luke Fletcher Jan 2008

Carbachol Regulation Of Akt In Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, John M. Schmitt, Luke Fletcher

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Abstract Hormones and agonists that enhance cell survival through binding specific G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are of particular interest in cancer cell survival. LNCaP cells have been shown to express muscarinic cholinergic receptors that are responsive to the agonist, carbachol. In addition, LNCaP cells specifically express the M3-subtype of GPCR’s that may couple carbachol to Gq, increases in intracellular calcium, and activation of the intracelluar Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaM Ks). The CaM Kinase family of proteins includes CaM KII, CaM Kinase Kinase (CaM KK) and its substrates CaM KIV, CaM KI and the protein kinase AKT. AKT is an anti-apoptotic …


Mutational Analysis Of The Stability Of The H2a And H2b Histone Monomers, Matthew R. Stump, Lisa M. Gloss Jan 2008

Mutational Analysis Of The Stability Of The H2a And H2b Histone Monomers, Matthew R. Stump, Lisa M. Gloss

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

The eukaryotic histone heterodimer H2A–H2B folds through an obligatory dimeric intermediate that forms in a nearly diffusion-limited association reaction in the stopped-flow dead time. It is unclear whether there is partial folding of the isolated monomers before association. To address the possible contributions of structure in the monomers to the rapid association, we characterized H2A and H2B monomers in the absence of their heterodimeric partner. By far-UV circular dichroism, the H2A and H2B monomers are 15% and 31% helical, respectively—significantly less than observed in X-ray crystal structures. Acrylamide quenching of the intrinsic Tyr fluorescence was indicative of tertiary structure. The …