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Full-Text Articles in Other Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

Elucidating Mechanisms Of Protein Aggregation In Alzheimer’S Disease Using Antibody-Based Strategies., Benjamin A. Colvin Jul 2017

Elucidating Mechanisms Of Protein Aggregation In Alzheimer’S Disease Using Antibody-Based Strategies., Benjamin A. Colvin

Dissertations

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. There are two characteristic histopathological hallmarks in the brain: senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, composed of insoluble aggregates of the amyloids Amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau protein, respectively. These diagnostic markers, though distinctive, are not apparent effectors of AD pathology. Evidence has mounted suggesting smaller soluble aggregates (oligomers) of Aβ or tau are the true drivers of disease progression. This dissertation presents several amyloid biophysics projects. Aggregate biophysical parameters such as weight, shape, and conformation were measured using a range of methodologies, including Multiangle Light Scattering, Dynamic Light Scattering, UV-Circular Dichroism, UV-Fluorescence, Scanning …


Probing The Domain Architecture And Structural Dynamics Of Caspase-6 For Its Specific Regulation, Kevin Buadlart Dagbay Jul 2017

Probing The Domain Architecture And Structural Dynamics Of Caspase-6 For Its Specific Regulation, Kevin Buadlart Dagbay

Doctoral Dissertations

Caspases are cysteine aspartate proteases that direct programmed cell death in multicellular organisms. Activation of caspases is tightly regulated to secure maintenance of cellular homeostasis. The aberrant regulation of caspases can act as molecular triggers for a range of diseases from cancer to neurodegeneration. The detailed exploration of caspase structure, dynamics, function, and regulation is crucial to better understand and precisely control their cellular functions. This body of work specifically provides a multi-level understanding of the unique structural dynamics and regulation of caspase-6, the function of which is implicated in Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases. A detailed map …