Molecular Biology Commons^™

New Insights Into The Role Of The Udp-Glucose: Glycoprotein Glucosyltransferase 1 In The Endoplasmic Reticulum Quality Control, Abla Tannous

Doctoral Dissertations

The UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 1 (UGT1) is a central quality control factor in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). It surveys the folding status of proteins in the ER and redirects them, via its reglucosylation activity, to bind to the ER carbohydrate binding (lectin) chaperones calreticulin (CRT) and calnexin (CNX). However, the cellular mechanism of UGT1 is not completely understood. Using a cell based reglucosylation assay, we found that UGT1 reglucosylated proteins that eventually fold. This modification was transient and resulted in delay of protein trafficking in the secretory pathway and prolonged binding to lectin chaperones in the ER. In addition, terminally misfolded …

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying The Contralateral Repeated Bout Effect (Crbe) In Human Skeletal Muscle, Ling Xin

Doctoral Dissertations

Eccentric (muscle lengthening) exercise induces temporary muscle damage that can lead to long-term muscle adaptation, a process known as the repeated bout effect where subsequent exercise results in less damage. The existence of a contralateral repeated bout effect (CRBE) has been controversial. The primary goals of this study were to: 1) validate the existence of the CRBE; and 2) define the underlying molecular mechanisms. Thirty-six young men performed 100 maximal eccentric actions of the knee extensors using one leg (bout 1) and repeated the exercise with the contralateral leg five weeks later (bout 2). Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were …

Exploring Structure-Dynamics-Function Relationship In Proteins, Protein: Ligand And Protein: Protein Systems Through Computational Methods, Karan Pal Kapoor

Doctoral Dissertations

The study focuses on understanding the dynamic nature of interactions between molecules and macromolecules. Molecular modeling and simulation technologies are employed to understand how the chemical constitution of the protein, specific interactions and dynamics of its structure provide the basis of its mechanism of function. The structure-dynamics-function relationship is investigated from quantum to macromolecular-assembly level, with applications in the field of rationale drug discovery and in improving efficiency of renewable sources of energy. Results presented include investigating the role of dynamics in the following:

1) In interactions between molecules: analyzing dynamic nature of a specific non-covalent interaction known as “anion-π …

Calmodulin-Like Protein 38: A Component Of Ribonucleoprotein Particles During Hypoxic Stress Responses In Arabidopsis, Ansul Lokdarshi

Doctoral Dissertations

Waterlogging stress leads to a crisis in energy metabolism and the accumulation of toxic metabolites due to the hypoxic and/or anoxic environment associated with this condition. To respond and adapt to this situation, higher plants employ an integrated genetic program that leads to the induction of anaerobic response polypeptide genes that encode metabolic and signaling proteins involved in altering metabolic flow and other adaptive responses. The study presented here shows that the Arabidopsis thaliana calmodulin-like protein CML38 is calcium sensor protein that serves as a member of the core anaerobic response gene family and is involved in modulating the survival …

Characterization Of The Role Of Alpha-Arylphorin In The Heliothis Virescens Midgut Response To Cry1ac Toxin From Bacillus Thuringiensis, Jerreme Jamael Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations

Homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium in Heliothis virescens is mediated by the proliferation and differentiation of multipotent intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that lie adjacent to the basal lamina. In response to extrinsic and intrinsic signals, ISC proliferation and differentiation promotes epithelial growth and regeneration following the loss of integrity. We tested the in vivo effects of the ISC mitogen, a [alpha]-arylphorin, on ISC proliferation and the morphological changes of the midgut during larval development. Additionally, we examined how these changes affected the intestinal epithelium response to Cry1Ac toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. Histological and in vitro evidence supported two distinct …