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Articles 1 - 30 of 117
Full-Text Articles in Molecular Biology
Development Of Molecular Diagnostic Tools For Mycobacterium Species, Hillary Bengtson
Development Of Molecular Diagnostic Tools For Mycobacterium Species, Hillary Bengtson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation focuses on the development of diagnostic tools for mycobacteria using hybridization based technologies including binary deoxyribozyme (BiDz) sensors and microarrays. The genus Mycobacterium, is a diverse group of bacteria containing 150+ species including M. tuberculosis (M.tb) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) which exhibit a range of pathogenicity, drug susceptibility and growth characteristics. M. tuberculosis (M.tb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) and the leading cause of infectious disease related deaths worldwide. The control of TB is limited by the lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic tools available at the point of care (POC). The studies presented here illustrate …
Chlamydia Trachomatis Transformants Show A Significant Reduction In Rates Of Invasion Upon Removal Of Key Tarp Domains, Christopher Parrett
Chlamydia Trachomatis Transformants Show A Significant Reduction In Rates Of Invasion Upon Removal Of Key Tarp Domains, Christopher Parrett
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate, intracellular bacterium which is known to cause multiple human infections including nongonococcal urethritis (serovars D-K), lymphogranuloma venereum (serovars L1, L2, L3) and trachoma (serovars A-C). The infectious form of the bacterium, called the elementary body (EB), harbors a type III secreted effector known as Tarp (translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein) which is a candidate virulence factor and is hypothesized to play a role in C. trachomatis' ability to invade and grow within epithelial cells in a human host. C. trachomatis L2 Tarp harbors five unique protein domains which include the Phosphorylation Domain, the Proline Rich Domain, …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Core-Shell Zinc Silica Nanoparticles And Zinc Silica Nanogels For Agricultural Applications., Megan Berroth
Synthesis And Characterization Of Core-Shell Zinc Silica Nanoparticles And Zinc Silica Nanogels For Agricultural Applications., Megan Berroth
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plant pathogens are a serious problem facing the agricultural industry today. Current methodologies use copper based biocides as the main form of defense. Unfortunately this can lead to damaging environmental effects and increased rates of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, antimicrobial activity of multiple alternative zinc-based nanoformulations were tested against three important plant pathogens: Xanthomonas alfalfae, Pseudomonas syringae, and Clavobacter michiganensis. Xanthomonas sub species cause Citrus canker, a devastating disease that affects millions of citrus trees worldwide while the latter two affect tomato crops. Materials synthesis was completed and the resulting nanoformulations were characterized by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron …
Membrane Topology Of A Broad-Spectrum Resistance Factor Responsible For Lipid Modification In Enterococcus Faecium., Jesse Harrison
Membrane Topology Of A Broad-Spectrum Resistance Factor Responsible For Lipid Modification In Enterococcus Faecium., Jesse Harrison
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Aminoacylphosphatidylglycerol synthases (aaPGSs) are integral membrane proteins that use aminoacyl-tRNAs as substrates to catalyze the addition of amino acids to phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in the cytoplasmic membranes of bacteria. Addition of amino acids to PG decreases the net negative charge of the membrane, conferring resistance to various classes of antibacterial agents (i.e., cationic antimicrobial peptides, beta-lactams, glycopeptides, and lipopeptides) and protecting the cell against osmotic stress and acidic conditions. aaPGS homologs are found in a variety of clinically relevant microorganisms, including Enterococcus faecium, which is increasingly found to be the etiologic agent of antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections. Although the broad distribution of …
Functional Identification Of Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (Nts) Barosensitive Neurons: Effect Of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (Cih), Jenya Kolpakova
Functional Identification Of Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (Nts) Barosensitive Neurons: Effect Of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (Cih), Jenya Kolpakova
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (CIH) is a model used to study obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previously, we showed that baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) (baroreflex sensitivity) is reduced in CIH rats. While afferent function and HR in response to vagal efferent stimulation are enhanced, the effect of CIH on the central components, in particular NTS, is still not completely understood. F344 rats (3-4 mo) were exposed either to CIH or room air (RA) for 35-50 days. Following CIH exposure, rats were anaesthetized with Ket/Ace. Using single-unit extracellular recording technique, we recorded NTS barosensitive neurons in response to arterial pressure (AP) …
Differential Expression Of Proteins Involved In Vldl Trafficking Causes Reduced Vldl Secretion In Male Ames Dwarf Mice, Faisal Ahmed Moinuddin
Differential Expression Of Proteins Involved In Vldl Trafficking Causes Reduced Vldl Secretion In Male Ames Dwarf Mice, Faisal Ahmed Moinuddin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been recorded as the number one cause of death worldwide, accounting for 32% of total deaths annually. More than two-thirds of all CVD cases are associated with atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fats and other substances causing plaque formation in the interior walls of major arteries. This leads to narrowing of the lumen and hardening of the arteries, ultimately resulting in angina, heart attack and/or stroke. Studies have shown that the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and associated CVDs is strongly linked to elevated secretion of liver-specific lipoproteins called very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL). VLDLs are crucial lipoproteins responsible for …
Evaluation Of Intestinal Microbial Diversity And A New Antibiotic Regimen In Crohn's Disease Patients, Karel Alcedo
Evaluation Of Intestinal Microbial Diversity And A New Antibiotic Regimen In Crohn's Disease Patients, Karel Alcedo
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory bowel disease involving Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Other microorganisms such as adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) have also been proposed in CD association. To date, only one study investigated both MAP and AIEC simultaneously using peripheral blood but not in affected intestinal tissues. A standardized and effective antibiotic therapy against MAP and/or AIEC is needed for better treatment. Three antibiotic drugs – Clarithromycin (CLA), Rifabutin (RIF), and Clofazimine (CLO) have been used to treat CD patients suspected with MAP infection. However, the outcome has been controversial. The treatment dosage is high, the …
Genetically-Programmed Suicide Of Adrenergic Cells In The Mouse Leads To Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Impaired Weight Gain, And Symptoms Of Neurological Dysfunction, Aaron Owji
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (Pnmt) catalyzes the conversion of noradrenaline to adrenaline and is the last enzyme in the catecholamine biosynthetic pathway. Pnmt serves as a marker for adrenergic cells, and lineage-tracing experiments have identified the embryonic heart and hindbrain region as the first sites of Pnmt expression in the mouse. Pnmt expression in the heart occurs before the adrenal glands have formed and prior to sympathetic innervation, suggesting that the heart is the first site of catecholamine production in the mouse. The function of these Pnmt+ cells in heart development remains unclear. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that (i) …
Fmf Assay For Assessing Vaccine Generated Antibodies In A Biomimetic Manner, Vipra Dhir
Fmf Assay For Assessing Vaccine Generated Antibodies In A Biomimetic Manner, Vipra Dhir
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Traditional functional assays such as hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and micro-neutralization (MN) assays have been routinely used for assessing the vaccine response, since influenza vaccine has been administered in people (1940). Such assays are not always predictive regarding the protection conferred by the influenza vaccine and are not able to monitor neutralization related to stem region of influenza hemagglutinin responsible for virus membrane fusion in the endosomes. In order to study Influenza vaccine response in a more biomimetic manner and overcome the deficiencies of the traditional functional assays, we developed a fluorescent membrane fusion assay (fMF). The assay uses viruses labeled …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Antimicrobial Non-Color Forming Silica-Silver Nanocomposite, Joshua Bazata
Synthesis And Characterization Of Antimicrobial Non-Color Forming Silica-Silver Nanocomposite, Joshua Bazata
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Silver has been utilized for its antimicrobial properties for thousands of years in a variety of fields, extending the shelf life of food and water, rendering eating utensils sanitary, and more recently in biomedical applications such as silver based antiseptic creams. While effective as an antimicrobial agent at very low concentrations (µg/mL), silver imparts a strong color to objects it is incorporated into, due to its high plasmonic efficiency. The goal of this study was to determine if incorporating silver nanoparticles into a silica matrix could reduce or eliminate the plasmonic signal, while retaining the antimicrobial effects of the silver …
Validation Of A Novel Hypothesis Of Generating Foam Cells By Its Use To Study Reverse Cholesterol Transport, Bhaswati Sengupta
Validation Of A Novel Hypothesis Of Generating Foam Cells By Its Use To Study Reverse Cholesterol Transport, Bhaswati Sengupta
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Generation of foam cells, an essential step for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) studies, uses the technique of receptor dependent macrophage loading with radiolabeled acetylated Low Density Lipoprotein (Ac-LDL). In this study, we used the ability of a biologically relevant detergent molecule, Lysophosphatidylcholine (Lyso PtdCho), to form mixed micelles with cholesterol or cholesteryl ester (CE) to generate macrophage foam cells. Fluorescent or radiolabelled cholesterol / Lyso PtdCho mixed micelles were prepared and incubated with RAW 264.7 or mouse peritoneal macrophages. Results showed that such micelles were quite stable at 4°C and retained the solubilized cholesterol during one month storage. Macrophages incubated …
In Vitro Characterization Of Unmodified And Pyroglutamylated Alzheimer's Amyloid Beta Peptide, Jason Matos
In Vitro Characterization Of Unmodified And Pyroglutamylated Alzheimer's Amyloid Beta Peptide, Jason Matos
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plaques of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) are a hallmark trait of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the precise role of Aβ aggregates is not well understood. Recent studies have identified that naturally occurring N-terminal truncation and pyroglutamylation of Aβ significantly increases its neurotoxicity by an unknown mechanism. Content of pyroglutamylated Aβ (pE-Aβ) in AD brains has been shown to reach up to 50% of total Aβ. Modified pE-Aβ co-aggregates with Aβ by a seeding mechanism and forms structurally distinct and highly toxic oligomers. We studied structural transitions of the full-length Aβ1-42, its pyroglutamylated form AβpE3-42, their 9:1 (Aβ1-42/AβpE3-42) and 1:1 molar …
Purification And Characterization Of A Novel Selenocysteine Lyase From Enterococcus Faecalis, Samantha Nelson
Purification And Characterization Of A Novel Selenocysteine Lyase From Enterococcus Faecalis, Samantha Nelson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A previous study identified Enterococcus faecalis as one of two bacteria known to have the selD gene and other selenium related genes without having the genes necessary to make selenocysteine or selenouridine. EF2570, a gene in the cluster, was later shown to be upregulated during biofilm formation and also responsible for a selenite- and molybdate-dependent increase in biofilm formation in vitro. The protein encoded was identified as a selenium dependent molybdenum hydroxylase (SDMH), enzymes that contain a labile selenium atom required for activity. While the process of inserting selenocysteine into a protein is well known, the process by which a …
Establishment Of Methods For Isolation Of Pnmt+ Cardiac Progenitor Cells, Namita Varudkar
Establishment Of Methods For Isolation Of Pnmt+ Cardiac Progenitor Cells, Namita Varudkar
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Millions of patients suffer each year from endothelial dysfunction and/or debilitating myocardial damage resulting in decreased quality of life and increased risk of death or disablement. Current pharmacological approaches are only partly effective at treating cardiovascular disease, and hence, better strategies are needed to provide significant improvements in treatment options. Cardiac stem/progenitor cells have the potential to regenerate myocardial tissue and repair damaged heart muscle. There are many different types of cardiac progenitor cells, and each may have certain unique properties and characteristics that would likely be useful …
Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance And Immunomodulation By Hiv-1 Gp41, Matthew Wood
Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance And Immunomodulation By Hiv-1 Gp41, Matthew Wood
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Fusion inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral drugs used to prevent entry of HIV into host cells. Many of the fusion inhibitors being developed, including the drug enfuvirtide (ENF), are peptides designed to mimic, and thereby competitively inhibit, the viral fusion protein gp41. An exception to this is a class of cyclic, cationic, antimicrobial peptides known as θ-defensins, which are produced by many non-human primates and exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral and antibacterial activity. Currently, the θ-defensin analog RC-101 is being developed as a microbicide to prevent sexual transmission of HIV-1. Understanding potential RC-101 resistance, and how resistance to other fusion inhibitors …
Genetic And Biochemical Characterization Of The Roles Of Two Putative Purine Transporters In The Infectious Cycle Of Borrelia Burgdorferi, Sunny Jain
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lyme disease, the most common tick borne disease in United States, is caused by the bacterial pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi. In nature, B. burgdorferi exists in an enzootic infectious cycle between an arthropod vector and mammalian hosts. Identification and characterization of the genes essential for B. burgdorferi survival throughout its infectious cycle is an important step toward understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in B. burgdorferi pathogenesis. B. burgdorferi contains a small genome, which lacks the genes encoding for the enzymes required for de novo synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids and nucleic acid precursors. Therefore, the spirochete is dependent upon the …
Role Of Cardiac Catecholamines In Embryos And Adults Under Stress, Candice Baker
Role Of Cardiac Catecholamines In Embryos And Adults Under Stress, Candice Baker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiovascular disease is responsible for the loss of one life every 38 seconds and accounts for 26.6 percent of all infants that die of congenital birth defects. Adrenergic hormones are critically important regulators of cardiovascular physiology in embryos and adults. They are key mediators of stress responses and have profound stimulatory effects on cardiovascular function, and dysregulation of adrenergic function has been associated with many adverse cardiac conditions, including congenital malformations, arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Despite intensive study, the specific roles these hormones play in the developing heart is not well-understood. Further, there is …
Modulation Of Cholera Toxin Structure And Function By Host Proteins, Helen Burress
Modulation Of Cholera Toxin Structure And Function By Host Proteins, Helen Burress
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cholera toxin (CT) moves from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where the catalytic CTA1 subunit separates from the holotoxin and unfolds due to its intrinsic thermal instability. Unfolded CTA1 then moves through an ER translocon pore to reach its cytosolic target. Due to the instability of CTA1, it must be actively refolded in the cytosol to achieve the proper conformation for modification of its G protein target. The cytosolic heat shock protein Hsp90 is involved with the ER-to-cytosol translocation of CTA1, yet the mechanistic role of Hsp90 in CTA1 translocation remains unknown. Potential post-translocation roles for Hsp90 …
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Their Phosphatase Activity And Its Control, Atul Dhall
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Their Phosphatase Activity And Its Control, Atul Dhall
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cerium oxide nanoparticles are established scavengers of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. They have many potential biomedical applications that depend on their physicochemical properties and mode of preparation. Recent studies have found these nanoparticles possess phosphatase mimetic activity. Studying such catalytic activities will qualify their biomedical applications and render information on their bioavailability and potential toxicity. Two oxidation states of cerium exist in these nanoparticles (3+ or 4+). It is hypothesized that the oxidation state of cerium in the nanoparticles determines the amount of adsorbed water on the crystal lattices. This in turn governs their activity as phosphatases. Nanoparticles with …
The Anti-Toxin Properties Of Grape Seed Phenolic Compounds, Patrick Cherubin
The Anti-Toxin Properties Of Grape Seed Phenolic Compounds, Patrick Cherubin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ricinus communis, Shigella dysentariae, and Vibrio cholerae produce AB toxins which share the same basic structural characteristics: a catalytic A subunit attached to a cell-binding B subunit. All AB toxins have cytosolic targets despite an initial extracellular location. AB toxins use different methods to reach the cytosol and have different effects on the target cell. Broad-spectrum inhibitors against these toxins are therefore hard to develop because they use different surface receptors, entry mechanisms, enzyme activities, and cytosolic targets. We have found that grape seed extract provides resistance to five different AB toxins: diphtheria toxin (DT), P. …
Target Validation For Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Therapeutics., Alejandra Guinart
Target Validation For Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Therapeutics., Alejandra Guinart
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a benign tumor disease of the nervous system. Development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas is characteristic of NF2; however patients frequently present schwannomas on other nerves, as well as meningiomas and ependymomas. Currently, there are no drug therapies for NF2. There is an urgent need for development of NF2 therapeutics and this dissertation presents two independent potential therapeutic targets. The disease is caused by mutations in the NF2 gene that encodes a tumor suppressor called merlin. Loss of merlin function is associated with increased activity of Rac and p21-activated kinases (PAK) and deregulation of cytoskeletal organization. …
Characterization Of Innate Immunity In The Female Reproductive Tract For The Prevention Of Hiv Acquisition, Colleen Eade
Characterization Of Innate Immunity In The Female Reproductive Tract For The Prevention Of Hiv Acquisition, Colleen Eade
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects 30 million people worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by HIV, women comprise 60% of the infected population. Heterosexual transmission is a major mode of viral acquisition, mandating further research of the process and prevention of HIV acquisition via the female reproductive tract (FRT). The FRT is a dynamic environment, protected by host immune mechanisms and commensal microbes. The disruption of either of these elements can increase susceptibility to HIV. Accordingly, one common risk factor for HIV acquisition is the microbial shift condition known as bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is characterized by the …
Molecular Regulators Of Post-Golgi Vldl Transport Vesicle (Pg-Vtv) Biogenesis, Aladdin Riad
Molecular Regulators Of Post-Golgi Vldl Transport Vesicle (Pg-Vtv) Biogenesis, Aladdin Riad
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Amongst its numerous functions, the liver is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). VLDL particles play the important role of facilitating the transport of lipids within the aqueous environment of the plasma; yet high plasma concentrations of these particles result in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, while low VLDL secretion from the liver results in hepatic steatosis. VLDL synthesis in the hepatocyte is completed in the Golgi apparatus, which serves as the final site of VLDL maturation prior to its secretion to the bloodstream. The mechanism by which VLDL’s targeted transport to the plasma membrane is …
Immuno-Pcr Detection Of Lyme Borreliosis, Micah Halpern
Immuno-Pcr Detection Of Lyme Borreliosis, Micah Halpern
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lyme borreliosis, more commonly referred to as Lyme disease, is the fastest growing zoonotic disease in North America with approximately 30,000 confirmed cases and 300,000 estimated infections per year. In nature, the causative agent of Lyme disease, the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, cycles between Ixodes sp. ticks and small mammals. Humans become infected with Lyme disease after being bitten by an infected tick. The primary indicator of a Borrelia burgdorferi infection is a bull’s eye rash typically followed by flu-like symptoms with treatment consisting of a 2-4 week course of antibiotics. If not treated, later stages of the disease can result …
Screening Of Quantum Dots For Toxicity On The Growth And Viability Of Escherichia Coli, Jeremy Tharkur
Screening Of Quantum Dots For Toxicity On The Growth And Viability Of Escherichia Coli, Jeremy Tharkur
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Heavy metal (HM) containing quantum dots (Qdots) are increasingly used in commercial products due to their unique electronic, optoelectronic, optical and magnetic properties. Once disposed to the landfill, environmental weathering is likely to compromise HM Qdot integrity, leading to release of heavy metal ions. To minimize any negative environmental impact of HM Qdots, there is an increasing demand for developing HM free or environmentally-friendly surface modified HM Qdot alternatives. In this study, synthesis of HM free ZnS:Mn/ZnS and surface modified HM CdS:Mn/ZnS Qdots (using N-acetylcysteine, NAC, and Dihydrolipoic acid, DHLA) and their potential toxicity assessment using E. coli as a …
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Sensitize Pancreatic Cancer Cells To Radiation By Promoting Acidic Ph, Ros, And Jnk Dependent Apoptosis, Melissa Wason
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Sensitize Pancreatic Cancer Cells To Radiation By Promoting Acidic Ph, Ros, And Jnk Dependent Apoptosis, Melissa Wason
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Side effects of radiation therapy (RT) remain the most challenging issue for pancreatic cancer treatment. In this report we determined whether and how cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to RT. CONP pretreatment enhanced radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production preferentially in acidic cell-free solutions as well as acidic human pancreatic cancer cells. In acidic environments, CONPs favor the scavenging of superoxide radical over the hydroxyl peroxide resulting in accumulation of the latter whereas in neutral pH CONPs scavenge both. CONP treatment prior to RT markedly potentiated the cancer cell apoptosis both in culture and in tumors and …
Identification Of Epithelial Stromal Interaction 1 And Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor As Novel Kruppel-Like Factor 8 Targets In Promoting Breast Cancer Progression, Tianshu Li
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Breast cancer is the major cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression remains urgent for developing effective treatment strategies to eliminate breast cancer mortality. Our recent studies have demonstrated that Krüppel-like transcriptional factor 8 (KLF8) plays a critical role for breast cancer progression. Other studies have shown that Epithelial stromal interaction 1 (EPSTI1), a recently identified stromal fibroblast-induced gene in non-invasive breast cancer cells and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are highly overexpressed in aggressively invasive breast carcinomas including triple negative breast cancers. In this thesis project, we demonstrate high co-overexpression of KLF8 …
Is Breakdown Of Fatty Acid Peroxides Involved In The Induction Of Apolipoprotein A1?, Rajat Gupta
Is Breakdown Of Fatty Acid Peroxides Involved In The Induction Of Apolipoprotein A1?, Rajat Gupta
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Over the past few years the number of deaths caused due to cardiovascular diseases has been increasing and is of major concern. In the United States, 75% of cardiovascular-related deaths have been attributed to atherosclerosis. Western diets containing large quantities of peroxidized lipids are considered atherogenic. Heated oil in the form of fried food brings high levels of peroxidized fat and its decomposition products in the diet. Peroxidized lipids are known to increase the susceptibility of serum lipoproteins to undergo oxidation, thereby contributing to the progression of atherosclerosis. The intestinal cells are responsible for the absorption of dietary fatty acid …
Characterization Of Motility Alterations Caused By The Impairment Of Dynein/Dynactin Motor Protein Complex, Swaran Nandini
Characterization Of Motility Alterations Caused By The Impairment Of Dynein/Dynactin Motor Protein Complex, Swaran Nandini
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Transport of intracellular cargo is an important and dynamic process required for cell maintenance and survival. Dynein is the motor protein that carries organelles and vesicles from the cell periphery to the cell center along the microtubule network. Dynactin is a protein that activates dynein for this transport process. Together, dynein and dynactin forms a motor protein complex that is essential for transport processes in all the vertebrate cells. Using fluorescent microscope based live cell imaging techniques and kymograph analyses, I studied dynein/dynactin disruptions on the intracellular transport in two different cell systems. In one set of experiments, effects of …
Cholera Toxin Activates The Unfolded Protein Response Through An Adenylate Cyclase-Independent Mechanism, Neyda Vanbennekom
Cholera Toxin Activates The Unfolded Protein Response Through An Adenylate Cyclase-Independent Mechanism, Neyda Vanbennekom
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cholera toxin (CT) is a bacterial protein toxin responsible for the gastrointestinal disease known as cholera. CT stimulates its own entry into intestinal cells after binding to cell surface receptors. Once internalized, CT is delivered via vesicle-mediated transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the CTA1 subunit dissociates from the rest of the toxin and is exported (or translocated) into the cytosol. CTA1 translocates from the ER lumen into the host cytosol by exploiting a host quality control mechanism called ER-associated degradation (ERAD) that facilitates the translocation of misfolded proteins into the cytosol for degradation. Cytosolic CTA1, however, escapes this …