Molecular Biology Commons^™

Freeze Tolerance Of Cyphoderris Monstrosa (Orthoptera: Prophalangopsidae), Jantina Toxopeus, Jacqueline Lebenzon, Alexander H. Mckinnon, Brent J. Sinclair

Biology Publications

The great grig, Cyphoderris monstrosa Uhler (Orthoptera: Prophalangopsidae), is a large (20-30 mm, >1 g), nocturnal ensiferan that in habits montane coniferous forests in northwestern North America. C. monstrosa overwinters as a late-instar nymph, but its cold tolerance strategy has not previously been reported. We collected nymphs from near Kamloops, British Columbia, in late spring to determine their cold tolerance strategy. C. monstrosa nymphs were active at low temperatures until they froze at -4.6 ± 0.3 °C. The nymphs survived internal ice formation (i.e. are freeze tolerant), had a lethal temperature between -9 and -12 °C, and could survive for …

Screening Of Plants For Antibacterial Properties: Growth Inhibition Of Staphylococcus Aureus By Artemisia Tridentata, Steven Ross Eichelbaum

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drug-resistant pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria are increasing in occurrence and prevalence, and pose a dangerous threat to human health. In the search for novel antibiotics with which to combat this threat, plants, specifically those used in traditional medicine with ascribed antibacterial properties, offer a promising and potentially vast source of such therapeutic compounds. The purpose of this study was therefore to screen chemical extracts created from various plant species for antibacterial properties versus pathogenic bacterial species. In the course of these antibacterial assays, we successfully identified a methanol extract derived from Artemisia tridentata tridentata plant material as capable of inhibiting …

Insights Into The Molecular Roles Of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans (Hspgs-Syndecans) In Autocrine And Paracrine Growth Factor Signaling In The Pathogenesis Of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Rajendra Ghardbaran

Publications and Research

Syndecans (SDC, SYND) comprise a group of four structurally related type 1 transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) that play important roles in tumorigenic processes. SDCs exert signaling via their protein cores and their conserved transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains or by forming complexes with growth factors (GFs). In classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL), a lymphoid neoplasm of predominantly B cell origin, SDC1 and SDC4 are the active SDCs, and a number of GF (vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, etc.) signaling pathways have been studied. However, despite extensive pre-clinical and clinical research on SDC-mediated GF signaling in many cancer types, there …

Countercurrent Chromatography Fractions Of Plant Extracts With Anti-Tuberculosis Activity, Douglas Armstrong, Nathan C. Krause, Drew Frey, J. Brent Friesen, Baojie Wan, Jordan Gunn, Scott Franzblau

Faculty Scholarship – Chemistry

Samples of numerous plant species were received from the southwestern part of the USA, from Richard Spjut, and plant samples were collected here in Illinois. All were extracted with typical solvents, giving crude residues, some of which were subjected to chromatographic methods. Some of the crude residues and some of the fractions were tested for anti-tuberculosis activity and/or antibacterial activity.

In a general way, bioactive natural products are dealt with very well by Liang & Fang. More specifically, the southwestern part of the United States has a large variety of indigenous plants many of which have not been investigated for …

The Role Of Daf-19 In Non-Ciliated Neurons: How Is Neural Development Regulated By Different Daf-19 Isoforms?, Zabdiel Ek Vazquez

Lawrence University Honors Projects

A degenerative disease-like phenotype, specifically reduction in synaptic protein levels in adult worms, is correlated with loss-of-function of the only RFX transcription factor gene, daf-19, in C. elegans. This gene encodes four known transcription factor isoforms, two of which are correlated with particular functions. The DAF-19C isoform activates genes responsible for cilia development, while DAF-19M is needed for cilia specification in males. A comparison of the transcriptome of daf-19 null and isogenic wild type adult worms suggests both positive and negative regulation of gene expression is correlated with the presence of DAF-19 proteins. We have assessed DAF-19 regulation …

Hiv Vaccines: Progress, Limitations And A Crispr/Cas9 Vaccine, Omar A. Garcia Martinez

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

ABSTRACT: The HIV-1 pandemic continues to thrive due to ineffective HIV-1 vaccines. Historically, the world’s most infectious diseases, such as polio and smallpox, have been eradicated or have come close to eradication due to the advent of effective vaccines. Highly active antiretroviral therapy is able to delay the onset of AIDS but can neither rid the body of HIV-1 proviral DNA nor prevent further transmission. A prophylactic vaccine that prevents the various mechanisms HIV-1 has to evade and attack our immune system is needed to end the HIV-1 pandemic. Recent advances in engineered nuclease systems, like the CRISPR/Cas9 system, have …

A Novel Variant In Cmah Is Associated With Blood Type Ab In Ragdoll Cats, Barbara Gandolfi, Robert Grahn, Nicholas Gustafson, Daniela Proverbio, Eva Spada, Badri Adhikari, Janling Cheng, Gordon Andrews, Leslie Lyons, Chris Helps

Computer Science Faculty Works

The enzyme cytidine monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase is associated with the production of sialic acids on cat red blood cells. The cat has one major blood group with three serotypes; the most common blood type A being dominant to type B. A third rare blood type is known as AB and has an unclear mode of inheritance. Cat blood type antigens are defined, with N-glycolylneuraminic acid being associated with type A and N-acetylneuraminic acid with type B. Blood type AB is serologically characterized by agglutination using typing reagents directed against both A and B epitopes. While a genetic characterization of blood …

Connecting The Physiological And Behavioral Response To Heat Stress On A Warming Planet, Anastasia Kalyta

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Intertidal communities are considered good models of the biological effects of climate change on ecosystems, as their resident organisms are subjected to heat spells during daytime low tides. The increasing heat exposure can elicit behavioral as well as physiological responses in intertidal organisms. We studied the relationship between these responses to heat stress in the blue-banded hermit crab, Pagurus samuelis, by inducing a “heat shock” with elevated water temperature of 29 °C for 2.5 h. The behavioral effect of heat-shock was quantified using a 30-minute feeding assay, measuring the mass of a standard squid pellet consumed by individual hermit crabs. …

The Role Of Cellulose Synthase-Like D Genes In Tip Growth Of Physcomitrella Patens, Erin E. Killeavy, Arielle Chaves, Alison Roberts

Senior Honors Projects

Physcomitrella patens is a non-vascular plant with a relatively small genome and is amongst the few eukaryotic organisms that have a high rate of homologous recombination. This is valuable in biological research because it allows for targeted genetic modification of the organism. In vascular plants like Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism, Cellulose Synthase-like D (CSLD) genes have been discovered to be important in tip growth. This type of growth is observed in the pollen tubes and root hairs of these plant types. The CSLD genes in Arabidopsis were found to play a crucial role in the growth of …

Molecular Analysis Confirming The Introduction Of Nile Crocodiles, Crocodylus Niloticus Laurenti 1768 (Crocodylidae), In Southern Florida, With An Assessment Of Potential For Establishment, Spread, And Impacts., Michael R. Rochford, Kenneth L. Krysko, Frank J. Mazzotti, Matthew W. Shirley, Mark W. Parry, Joseph A. Wasilewski, Jeffrey S. Beauchamp, Christpher R. Gillette, Edward F. Metzger Iii, Michiko A. Squires, Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

The state of Florida, USA, has more introduced herpetofauna than any other governmental region on Earth. Four species of nonnative crocodilians have been introduced to Florida (all since 1960), one of which is established. Between 2000–2014 we field-collected three nonnative crocodilians in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and one in Hendry County, Florida. We used DNA barcoding and molecular phylogenetics to determine species identification and native range origin. Also, we described diet, movement, and growth for one crocodile. Our molecular analyses illustrated that two of the crocodiles we collected are most closely related to Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) from South Africa, suggesting …

Bioinformatics Comparison Of M. Ruber Mrub_2507 To E. Coli Pdxk/B1636 And M. Ruber Mrub_2888 To E. Coli Pdxh/B1638 To Determine The Orthologous Nature, Adam Bernardi, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_2507 and Mrub_2888. We predict that Mrub_2507 encodes the enzyme pyridoxal kinase (DNA coordinates 2555521..2556402), which is in the Vitamin B₆ Metabolism pathway (KEGG map number 00750). It catalyzes the conversion of pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, or pyridoxal to pyridoxine 5’-phosphate, pyridoxamine 5’-phosphate, or pyridoxal 5’-phosphate respectively. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b1636, which has …

Analogous Cellular Contribution And Healing Mechanisms Following Digit Amputation And Phalangeal Fracture In Mice, Lindsay A. Dawson, Jennifer Simkin, Michelle Sauque, Maegan Pela, Teresa Palkowski, Ken Muneoka

Biology Faculty Publications

Regeneration of amputated structures is severely limited in humans and mice, with complete regeneration restricted to the distal portion of the terminal phalanx (P3). Here, we investigate the dynamic tissue repair response of the second phalangeal element (P2) post amputation in the adult mouse, and show that the repair response of the amputated bone is similar to the proximal P2 bone fragment in fracture healing. The regeneration-incompetent P2 amputation response is characterized by periosteal endochondral ossification resulting in the deposition of new trabecular bone, corresponding to a significant increase in bone volume; however, this response is not associated with bone …

Genomic Analysis Of Meiothermus Ruber Mrub_1907 And Meiothermus Ruber Mrub_1844 With Potential Ortholog Escherichia Coli B3774 Ilvc And Escherichia Coli B3771 Ilvc Gene Through Bioinformatics, Felipe A. Hernandez, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_1907 and Mrub_1844. We predict that Mrub__1907 encodes the enzyme ketol-acid reductoisomerase (DNA coordinates 1966630..1967649 on the reverse strand), which is the fourth step of the L-isoleucine pathway (from threonine) (KEGG map number 00290). It catalyzes the conversion of (R)-3- Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxopentanoate to (R)-2-3 Dihydroxy-3-methylpentanoate. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b3774, which has the gene …

Comparison Of Genes In Meiothermus Ruber And Escherichia Coli In The Thiamine Biosynthesis Pathway, Erin E. Frye, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_2046 and Mrub_2041.We predict that Mrub_2046 encodes the enzyme phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase (DNA coordinates 2082772..2083572 on the reverse strand), which is the second step of the Thiamine Metabolism pathway (KEGG map number mrb00730). It catalyzes the conversion of 4-Amino-2-methyl-5-phosphomethylpyrimidine to 4-Amino-2-methyl-5-hydroxymethyl diphosphate The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b2103, which has the gene identifier thiD. We …

Meiothermus Ruber Mrub_0976 And Mrub_1641 Share The Same Functions As Escherichia Coli B3940 And B3433 In The Biosynthesis Of Homoserine, Cody Stephans, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_0976 and Mrub_1641. We predict that Mrub_0976 encodes the enzyme aspartate kinase (DNA coordinates 964404..965630) which is the 1^st step of the homoserine biosynthesispathway (KEGG map number M00018). It catalyzes the conversion L-aspartate to L-asparyl-4-phospate. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b3940, which has the gene identifier ‘thrA’. We …

Possible Orthologs Of Trpa And Trpb Genes Between E. Coli (B1260 And B1261) And M. Ruber (Mrub_1512 And Mrub_1511), John J. Stenger, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

Mrub_1512 encodes the enzyme tryptophan A (DNA coordinates 1544300..1545091), which is the 6th step of the Tryptophan Biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00400). It catalyzes the conversion of Chorismate to L-Tryptophan. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b1260, which has the gene identifier trpA. We predict that Mrub_1512 (DNA coordinates 1544300..1545091) is a alpha subunit of the Tryptophan Synthase (KEGG map number 00400). Mrub_1511 encodes the enzyme tryptophan B (DNA coordinates 1543083..1544303), which is the 7th step of the Tryptophan Biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00400). It catalyzes the conversion of Chorismate to L-Tryptophan. The E. …

Mrub_2765 Is The Version Of E. Coli Fabz In Meiothermus Ruber, While Mrub_0266 Is The Version Of E. Coli Fabi In Meiothermus Ruber, Amanda M. Narkis, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_2765 and Mrub_0266. We predict that Mrub_2765 encodes the enzyme β-hydroxyacyl-Acyl carrier protein (ACP) dehydratase (DNA coordinates 2805770..2806213 on the reverse strand), which is the 3^rd step of the fatty acid elongation pathway (KEGG map number 00780). It catalyzes the conversion of (3R)-3-hydroxyacyl-[ACP] to trans-2-enoyl-[ACP]. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be …

Pyruvate Metabolism In M. Ruber When Compared To E. Coli, Amanda M. Johnson, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_0476, Mrub_1516, Mrub_1517, Mrub_0477, and Mrub_2322. We predict that Mrub_0476, Mrub_1516, and Mrub_1517 (DNA coordinates 461643..464366, 1548957..1549955, 1549952..1550986, respectively) are a paralogous a subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E1(KEGG map number 00620). We predict that Mrub_0477 and Mrub_2322 (DNA coordinates 464402..465697 and 2371690..2373090, respectively) are a paralogous subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex …

A Bioinformatics Study On Whether Or Not Mrub_2763 Gene In M. Ruber Is Similar To The Lpxb Gene In E. Coli And If Mrub_2768 Is Similar To The Lpxd Gene In E. Coli., Frank J. Habura, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the gene Mrub_2768 and Mrub_2763. We predict that Mrub_2768 (DNA coordinates 2808186..2809178 on the reverse strand) encodes the enzyme UDP-3-O-(3-hydroxymyristoyl)glucosamine N-acyltransferase (LpxD), which is the third step of the Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00540). It catalyzes the conversion of UDP-3-O-(3-hydroxymyristoyl)-α-D-glucosamine + a(3R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl-[acp] → a holo-[acyl-carrier protein] + UDP-2-N,3-O-bis[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-α-D-glucosamine. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b0179, which …

Comparing Meiothermus Ruber And Myxococcus Xanthus In The Purine Metabolism Pathway, Linnea J. Ritchie, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. I investigated the biological functions of Mrub_1053 Mrub_2281 and Mrub_2299. I predicted that Mrub_1053 and Mrub_2281 (DNA coordinates 1053364..1054359 on the forward strand and 2333172..2334113 on the forward strand respectively) encodes the enzyme phosphoribose-1-pyrophosphate synthetase (PRS) which is the first step of the purine synthesis pathway (KEGG). I also predicted that Mrub_2299 (DNA coordinates: 2352378..2353775 on the forward strand) encodes for Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) amidotransferase, which is …

Valine Biosynthesis: Mrub_2994 Is Orthologous To E. Coli B3770 And Mrub_1844 Is Orthologous To E. Coli B3771, Bennett A. Hartmann, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_2994 and Mrub_1844. We predict that Mrub_1884 encodes the enzyme dihydroxy-acid dehydratase (DNA coordinates 1901362..1903026 on the forward strand), which is the third step of the valine biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00290). It catalyzes the conversion of 2,3-dihydroxy-3methylbutanoate to 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b3771, which has the gene identifier ilvD. …

Bioinformatic Comparison Of Genes In The Leucine Biosynthesis Pathway Of Escherichia Coli To Meiothermus Ruber, Isaac D. Schmied, Benjamin T. Ryan, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

We predict that Mrub_1905 and Mrub_1906 encode the enzyme 2-isopropylmalate synthase (Mrub_1906 DNA coordinates complement(1965044..1966603) Mrub_1905 DNA coordinates complement(1963455..1965041)), which is the first step of the leucine biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00290). It catalyzes the conversion of (2S)-2-isopropylmalate to 2-isopropylmaleate. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b0074, which has the gene identifier leuA. We predict that Mrub_1846 encodes the enzyme 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (DNA coordinates complement(1903909..1904961)), which is the third step of the leucine biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00290). It catalyzes the conversion of (2R,3S)-3-isopropylmalate to (2S)-2-isopropyl-3-oxosuccinate. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted …

Riboflavin Metabolism: A Study To See If Mrub_1256 Is Orthologous To E. Coli B0415, And If Mrub_1254 Is Orthologous To E. Coli B1662, Anish Sora Reddy, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_1256 and Mrub_1254. We predict that Mrub_1256 encodes the enzyme 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine synthase (Dna Coordinates 1282509..1282982 forward strand), which is part of the Riboflavin Metabolism pathway (KEGG map number 00740). It catalyzes the conversion of 3,4-Dihydroxy-2-butanone-4-phosphate or 5-amino-6-ribityl-aminouracil to Quinone. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be E. coli b0415, which has the gene identifier …

The Meiothermus Ruber Mrub_2572 Gene Is An Ortholog Of The Escherichia Coli Pyre B3642 Gene And The Meiothermus Ruber Mrub_2071 Gene Is An Ortholog Of The Escherichia Coli Pyrf B1281 Gene, Cale J. Mccormick, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_2572 and Mrub_2071. We predict that Mrub_2572 encodes the enzyme orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (DNA coordinates 2617545..2618096 on the forward strand), which is the 5^th step of the UMP biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00240). It catalyzes the conversion of orotate + PRPP to orotidine 5’-phosphate. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b3642, which has the gene …

Bioinformatics Indicates That Meiothermus Ruber Genes Mrub_1710 And Mrub_1712 Are Homologs Of The Escherichia Coli Genes B2903 (P-Protein; Glycine Dehydrogenase) And B2905 (T-Protein; Aminomethyltransferase), Respectively, Malory J. Groen, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_1710 and Mrub_1712. We predict that Mrub_1710 encodes the enzyme glycine dehydrogenase (DNA coordinates 3046168.. 3049041 on the reverse strand), which is the first step of the glycine degradation pathway (KEGG map number 00260). It catalyzes the conversion of glycine to S-Amino-methyldihydro-lipoylprotein. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b2903, which has the gene identifier gcvP. …

E. Coli B3639 And B3634 Are Orthologs Of Mrub_2047 And Mrub_1372, Rong Zheng, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_2047 and Mrub_1372. We predict that Mrub_2047 encodes the enzyme fused 4'-phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase/phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase, FMN-binding (DNA coordinates 2083590..2084816 on the forward strand), which is the first and the second steps of the CoA biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00770). It catalyzes the conversion of (R)-4’-phosphopantothenate to (R)-4’-phosphopantothenoyl-L-cysteine and the conversion of (R)-4’-phosphopantothenoyl-L-cysteine to 4’-phosphopantetheine. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog …

Mrub_0258 Gene Is An Ortholog Of The B4226 Gene (Ppa) Found In Escherichia Coli; Mrub_1198 Gene Is An Ortholog Of The B2501 Gene (Ppk) Found In Escherichia Coli;, Brandon M. Wills, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_0258 and Mrub_1198. We predict that Mrub_0258 encodes the enzyme inorganic pyrophosphatase (226403..226942), which is indirectly involved with the oxidative phosphorylation pathway (KEGG map number 00190). It catalyzes the conversion of the diphosphate ions made by Mrub_1198 into two orthophosphate ions, which can then be used by ATP synthase to produce energy. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted …

Mir494 Reduces Renal Cancer Cell Survival Coinciding With Increased Lipid Droplets And Mitochondrial Changes, Punashi Dutta, Edward Haller, Arielle Sharp, Meera Nanjundan

Molecular Biosciences Faculty Publications

Background: miRNAs can regulate cellular survival in various cancer cell types. Recent evidence implicates the formation of lipid droplets as a hallmark event during apoptotic cell death response. It is presently unknown whether MIR494, located at 14q32 which is deleted in renal cancers, reduces cell survival in renal cancer cells and if this process is accompanied by changes in the number of lipid droplets.

Methods: 769-P renal carcinoma cells were utilized for this study. Control or MIR494 mimic was expressed in these cells following which cell viability (via crystal violet) and apoptotic cell numbers (via Annexin V/PI staining) were …

Direct Analysis In Real Time (Dart) Of An Organothiophosphate At Ultrahigh Resolution By Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry And Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Laszlo Prokai, Stanley M. Stevens Jr.

Molecular Biosciences Faculty Publications

Direct analysis in real time (DART) is a recently developed ambient ionization technique for mass spectrometry to enable rapid and sensitive analyses with little or no sample preparation. After swab-based field sampling, the organothiophosphate malathion was analyzed using DART-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Mass resolution was documented to be over 800,000 in full-scan MS mode and over 1,000,000 for an MS/MS product ion produced by collision-induced dissociation of the protonated analyte. Mass measurement accuracy below 1 ppm was obtained for all DART-generated ions that belonged to the test compound in the …

Effect Of Hydroxychloroquine And Characterization Of Autophagy In A Mouse Model Of Endometriosis, A. Ruiz, S. Rockfield, N. Taran, E. Haller, Robert Engelman, I Flores, P Panina-Bordignon, Meera Nanjundan

Molecular Biosciences Faculty Publications

In endometriosis, the increased survival potential of shed endometrial cells (which normally undergo anoikis) is suggested to promote lesion development. One mechanism that may alter anoikis is autophagy. Using an autophagic flux inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), we identified that it reduces the in vitro survival capacity of human endometriotic and endometrial T-HESC cells. We also identified that HCQ could decrease lesion numbers and disrupt lesion histopathology, as well as increase the levels of peritoneal macrophages and the IP-10 (10 kDa interferon-γ-induced protein) chemokine in a mouse model of endometriosis. We noted that RNA levels of a subset of autophagic …