Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology (7)
- Medicine and Health Sciences (6)
- Biochemistry (4)
- Chemicals and Drugs (4)
- Genetics and Genomics (4)
-
- Molecular Biology (4)
- Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins (3)
- Biology (3)
- Plant Biology (3)
- Plant Sciences (3)
- Bacteriology (2)
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology (2)
- Developmental Biology (2)
- Genetics (2)
- Marine Biology (2)
- Microbiology (2)
- Molecular Genetics (2)
- Physiology (2)
- Anatomy (1)
- Bacteria (1)
- Biodiversity (1)
- Cancer Biology (1)
- Cell Anatomy (1)
- Diseases (1)
- Immune System Diseases (1)
- Laboratory and Basic Science Research (1)
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (1)
- Institution
- Keyword
-
- Differentiation (2)
- MESCs (2)
- Regenerative medicine (2)
- 5HT1A (1)
- AGE (1)
-
- Abscisic acid; aleurone; barley; gibberellin; particle bombardment; phosphorylation (1)
- Abscusuc acid (1)
- Advanced Glycation End-Products (1)
- Aging (1)
- Aleurone cells (1)
- Alkaloids (1)
- Alpha-gal (1)
- Antibodies (1)
- Antibody (1)
- Apoptosis (1)
- BCl-2 Proteins (1)
- BH3 Domain (1)
- Bax (1)
- C-MYC (1)
- Cardiac Fibroblasts (1)
- Cell proliferation (1)
- Chemical Dendrimers (1)
- Corticosterone (1)
- Cortisol (1)
- Crassostrea virginica (1)
- DUX4L22 (1)
- Degranulation (1)
- Dexamethasone (1)
- Diabetes (1)
- E. coli (1)
Articles 1 - 24 of 24
Full-Text Articles in Cell Biology
Does Vdac2 Have A Bh3 Domain?, Lillian Ferkany
Does Vdac2 Have A Bh3 Domain?, Lillian Ferkany
Honors Theses
Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) by Bax oligomerization triggers apoptosis. BCl-2 family proteins, classified as BH3 only proteins, pro-survival proteins, or pro-apoptotic proteins, control apoptosis partly through their agonist or antagonistic effects on Bax, which are mediated by their conserved BH3 domains. All BH3 domains form an alpha helix containing 5-7 conserved hydrophobic residues, designated H0-H5, and one conserved aspartic acid that drive interaction with Bax and other ‘multi-domain’ BCl-2 members. BH3 agonists induce Bax oligomerization, while BH3 antagonists sequester Bax to prevent MOMP. We discovered that voltage dependent anion channels (VDACs) in the MOM contain a putative BH3-like domain …
Investigating The Role Of The Cholesterol Recognition/Interaction Amino-Acid Consensus Sequence In Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor Function And Structure, Tatyana Lynn
Honors Theses
Human infertility is a complex disorder that can often be attributed to a dysfunction of the endocrine system. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is one of many hormones that participate in a complex process in both women and men to regulate normal reproduction. The dysfunction of this hormone and its receptor are some of the many causes of infertility. FSH is secreted by the anterior pituitary and, in women, initiates a cascade of biological events that enable ovulation. FSH carries out its function by binding and activating specific receptors. The FSH receptor (FSHR) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is located …
Lipid Raft Disruption Alters Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor Signaling, Rachel Judith Godek
Lipid Raft Disruption Alters Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor Signaling, Rachel Judith Godek
Honors Theses
Over 6.7 million people struggle with infertility each year. Studying signaling by reproductive hormones in fertility can allow us to gain a better understanding of the signaling pathways that must function correctly for proper fertility. Some infertility is due to incorrect human follicle stimulating hormone receptor (hFSHR) function. When follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) binds to hFSHR this begins a signaling cascade where the end product is the maturation of sperm by Sertoli cells in men, and egg development and production of estrogen through stimulation of granulosa cells in women. It has been determined that hFSHR is localized to microdomains of …
Microglia Polarize In Response To Transactive Response Dna-Binding Protein-43 (Tdp-43) And Display Partial Recovery After Removal Of The Stimulus, Alicen Wilcox
Honors Theses
The proper response to protein signals is necessary for a healthy central nervous system (CNS), and protein dysregulation is a feature of neurodegenerative diseases. Transactive response DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is an intranuclear protein, but mislocalization is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TDP-43 is released into the extracellular space where it is sensed by microglia, the CNS-resident immune cells. Our data and the literature suggest that microglia respond to TDP-43 dysregulation by increasing CNS inflammation. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of TDP-43 on microglial function and the extent to which microglia recovery. To study the …
Purification Of Pcbp2 And Its Effect On The Formation Of Dna I-Motifs And Secondary Structures, Nathan Redden
Purification Of Pcbp2 And Its Effect On The Formation Of Dna I-Motifs And Secondary Structures, Nathan Redden
Honors Theses
Several secondary, non-B forms of DNA are associated with the promoter regions of many oncogenes, including the intensely studied c-MYC gene that codes for a transcription factor. Two such secondary structures, G-quadruplexes, and i-motifs, have become topics of interest due to their prevalence within oncogenic promoters, as well as their potential accessibility for drug targeting. B-form DNA can adopt alternative structures under certain conditions. These alternative structures are favored when there is an asymmetric distribution of guanosine and cytosine on complimentary DNA strands. The strand rich in guanosine is able to form a quadruple stranded DNA complex termed a G-quadruplex. …
Molecular Characterization Of Galectin From Amblyomma Americanum In Context Of Α-Gal Syndrome, Sumar Beauti
Molecular Characterization Of Galectin From Amblyomma Americanum In Context Of Α-Gal Syndrome, Sumar Beauti
Honors Theses
The lone star tick Amblyomma americanum is a vector of various disease-causing pathogens and tick-borne alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) with rapidly expanding populations in the south- and northeast regions of the United States. This study aimed to molecularly characterize galectin and determine its involvement in galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal) synthesis, transport, reproductive fitness, and microbial homeostasis in this tick. The lone star tick galectin possesses two conserved carbohydrate recognition domains and shares homology with other Ixodid tick galectins. Time and tissue-dependent expression data shows that galectin is constantly expressed in salivary glands, midgut, and ovary tissues. An RNA interference approach was used to …
The Impact Of Age/Rage Signaling On Oxidative Stress Under Diabetic Conditions In Cardiac Fibroblasts, Christopher Dorroh
The Impact Of Age/Rage Signaling On Oxidative Stress Under Diabetic Conditions In Cardiac Fibroblasts, Christopher Dorroh
Honors Theses
Diabetes is a major health concern in the United States, with 1.5 million new cases diagnosed each year. Patients who suffer from diabetes have an increased risk of developing heart failure, a form of cardiovascular disease. Heart failure has been shown to result from increased left ventricular stiffness, which in turn is caused by increased remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This increase in ECM remodeling is a result of AGE/RAGE signaling, which occurs at a heightened level in the cardiac fibroblast cells of diabetics. Studies have shown that diabetics have elevated levels of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-Products), which bind …
Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt
Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt
Honors Theses
Cannabis is the most commonly used, cultivated, and trafficked illicit drug worldwide. Increased availability and acceptance of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products provide the necessity for understanding how these substances influence aging. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to concentrations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (0.08, 0.4, 2 µM) during embryonic-larval development, the effects on aging were measured 30 months later and in the offspring of the exposed fish (F1 generation. We observed results indicating a biphasic and hormetic effect. Treatment with the lowest concentration of THC significantly increased egg production, while higher concentrations resulted in impaired …
Development Of An Auto-Bioluminescent Lung Cell Line For Evaluation Of In Vitro Effects Of E-Cigarette Compounds On Normal Cell Proliferation, Olivia Morrison
Development Of An Auto-Bioluminescent Lung Cell Line For Evaluation Of In Vitro Effects Of E-Cigarette Compounds On Normal Cell Proliferation, Olivia Morrison
Honors Theses
The effects of smoking have long been studied; however, with the rise of electronic cigarettes there is a growing interest in the effects of this smoking substitute. Marketed as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes, the popularity of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has dramatically increased. This has demanded regulatory methods to be put into effect, however, scientific study is only beginning on the new fad to determine the impacts of its use on the human body. The present study aims to examine the biological effects of lung cell exposure to tobacco alkaloids found in electronic cigarette filling solutions. We hypothesize …
Development And Validation Of Gene Delivery Methods For Crassostrea Virginica, Adrienne N. Tracy
Development And Validation Of Gene Delivery Methods For Crassostrea Virginica, Adrienne N. Tracy
Honors Theses
The Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is an important part of the East Coastal USA economy because aquaculture creates jobs. Sadly, the oysters are under constant threat due to increasing pollution, red tides, and diseases. Bivalves, and oysters in particular, are also becoming potential model organisms in medical research. With the sequencing of the oyster genome, scientists are focusing on deciphering the function of the predicted genes. However, the limited number of molecular and cellular tools available makes functional annotation of the genome challenging. A consistent, replicable gene delivery system needs to be developed to assess gene function and understand the …
The Subcloning And Expression Of Munc18a In Escherichia Coli For Antibody Production And Analysis In Mast Cell Degranulation Reactions, Brandi Goble
Honors Theses
Mast cells are secretory cells responsible for fighting off infection through the early recognition of pathogens. This process is completed through the secretion of proinflammatory mediators that are stored in secretory granules within the cytoplasm of the cell. The degranulation secretion process relies on regulated fusion of secretory granules to the cell membrane via membrane-bound SNARE proteins that bridges the two opposed membranes. The intricate regulation of SNARE-mediated mast cell degranulation is not well understood. However, Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins, specifically the Munc18 isoforms, are known to play a critical role in the process (Brochetta, et. al., 2014). The Xu lab …
Investigating Phosphorylation Patterns And Their Effect On The Activity Of Transcription Factor Taabf1 In Imbibing Cereal Grains, Grace Uwase
Honors Theses
The wheat transcription factor TaABF1 plays an important role in hormone-mediated regulation of seed dormancy and germination of cereal grains. Evidence shows that TaABF1 activity is regulated by phosphorylation, and previous work in our lab showed that when serine residues in its conserved regions; S36, S37, S113, S115 were altered to phosphomimetic aspartate, the 4xD TaABF1 mutant had increased activity as a transcription factor. However, when only S113 was altered, TaABF1’s activity was greatly reduced. The work presented here explored whether the S36D/S37D/S115D mutant would have stronger activity than the 4xD mutant. Using the particle bombardment technique to introduce the …
Is The Zebrafish Zombie Mutant Caused By A Mutation In Cdc20?, Peyton Johnston
Is The Zebrafish Zombie Mutant Caused By A Mutation In Cdc20?, Peyton Johnston
Honors Theses
The zombie mutant was identified as an early arrest mutant, stopping in development around the 10-somite stage (14 hours of development). Further inspection revealed that this mutant was a cell cycle mutant and cells in the mutant arrest during metaphase as early as the 5-somite stage (11.6 hours of development). A similar phenotype is seen in the Drosophila melanogaster cell cycle gene fizzy, known to be to be a homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, cell division cycle 20 (cdc20). CDC20 is an activator protein of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), an ubiquitin E3 ligase that is …
Characterization Of Embryonic Stem Cell-Differentiated Cells As Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Rachael N. Kuehn
Characterization Of Embryonic Stem Cell-Differentiated Cells As Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Rachael N. Kuehn
Honors Theses
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs), due to their ability to differentiate into different cell types while still maintaining a high proliferation capacity, have been considered as a potential cell source in regenerative medicine. However, current ESC differentiation methods are low yielding and create heterogeneous cell populations. If transplanted in the human body, differentiated ESCs could be rejected by the immune system, form tumors, or may not function normally within the human body. On the other hand, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a type of adult stem cell typically derived from bone marrow, have proved to be excellent candidates in clinical applications due …
Activation Of Nf-Κb Transcription Factor During In Vitro Differentiation Of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Natalya A. Ortolano
Activation Of Nf-Κb Transcription Factor During In Vitro Differentiation Of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Natalya A. Ortolano
Honors Theses
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a promising cell source for regenerative medicine. However, recent studies indicated that ESCs and ESC-derived cells (ESC-DCs) lack functional innate immunity against various pathogens and inflammatory cytokines. This presents a barrier to clinical application, as ESC-DCs would be placed in a wound site and exposed to pathogens and inflammatory cytokines. Using mouse ESCs (mESCs) as a model, we recently demonstrated that they are deficient in expressing type I interferons (IFN) and inflammatory cytokines. To determine the molecular basis for this finding, this study examined the activation state of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a transcription factor that …
Effects Of Synthetic Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors On 3t3l1 Preadipocyte Adipogenic Differentiation Potential, Vikramjeet Singh
Effects Of Synthetic Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors On 3t3l1 Preadipocyte Adipogenic Differentiation Potential, Vikramjeet Singh
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Alteration In 5ht1a Receptor Activity From A Prenatal Exposure To Dexamethasone In A Stressed And Non-Stressed Adult Male Rat, Darshan S. Shah
Alteration In 5ht1a Receptor Activity From A Prenatal Exposure To Dexamethasone In A Stressed And Non-Stressed Adult Male Rat, Darshan S. Shah
Honors Theses
Synthetic glucocorticoids (GC) are used as a clinical therapeutic to stimulate lung development in fetuses that present the risk of preterm delivery. Previous studies have shown that a prenatal exposure to Dexamethasone (DEX) causes a disturbance in normal GC mediation of neuritic outgrowth, cell signaling, and serotonergic systems. Our hypothesis is that a prenatal exposure to DEX during the third trimester of pregnancy alters 5HT1A receptor function. Pregnant dams were injected daily with 150μg/ml/kg of DEX from gestation day 14 through 19. Control dams were treated with and equal volume of saline. Swim stress followed by elevated plus maze testing …
A Review Of Literature For Osteology: Cell Biology, Tissue Biology, And The Application Of Synthetic Compounds For The Facilitation Of Bone Tissue Repair, Ryan T. Jones
Honors Theses
Bone is a dynamic matter that provides support, structure, mineral reserves, and stem cell reserves for the body. Important functions range from structural support for the body to roles in maintaining homeostasis. Structure and support for the body is the most obvious role, with the skeletal system as a whole providing a normal force for other tissues and organs to resist gravity. Protection is also inferred for tissues and organs from impacting forces, especially with axial bones covering vital organs in the thoracic cavity. Another function of bone includes the ability to store and release minerals when needed to maintain …
The Wheat Bzip Factor, Taabf1, Mediates Aba-Induced Gene Expression In Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers, Benjamin R. Keyser
The Wheat Bzip Factor, Taabf1, Mediates Aba-Induced Gene Expression In Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers, Benjamin R. Keyser
Honors Theses
The plant hormone Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a central role in maturation and germination in seeds, as well as mediating adaptive responses to abiotic environmental stresses. ABA induces the expression of many genes, including late-embryogenesis-abundant genes such as HVA1. To elucidate the ABA signaling pathway leading to HVA1 expression, we focus on the bZIP factor TaABF1. Analysis of the interplay between ABA and TaABF1 in the aleurone cells of imbibing cereal grains indicated that the two are not additive in their induction of the HVA1 promoter. A synthetic ABA analog, PBI-51, did not specifically inhibit the effect of exogenous ABA …
Food Entrainment Of Circadian Gene Expression Altered In Pparα-/- Brown Fat And Heart, Brian Chun Kim Goh
Food Entrainment Of Circadian Gene Expression Altered In Pparα-/- Brown Fat And Heart, Brian Chun Kim Goh
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Stability Of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor One Alpha Protein In The Cell, Jennifer Watry
Stability Of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor One Alpha Protein In The Cell, Jennifer Watry
Honors Theses
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor One Alpha (eEF1A) is an abundant protein found in every cell of every organism and is involved in functions concerning protein synthesis and degradation, the cytoskeleton, and signaling. How these functions are regulated is not yet understood for this protein. Regulation of the protein may be controlled by transcription of the genes encoding the protein or the stability and modification of the protein. The goal of this project was to determine the stability of eEf1A proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Protein stability was determined by treating tissues with cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Gel electrophoresis and …
A Quantitative Study Of The Distinctive Proteins Of The Eosinophil: A Comparison Of Normals And Eosinophilic Patients, James M. Olson
A Quantitative Study Of The Distinctive Proteins Of The Eosinophil: A Comparison Of Normals And Eosinophilic Patients, James M. Olson
Honors Theses
Eosinophils have long been associated with parasitic and allergic diseases. Methods of procurement and purification of eosinophils in the last ten years have allowed intensive investigation into their components, properties, functions, and mechanisms (Gleich et al, 1982). The goals of this project are to separate eosinophils in blood samples taken from patients with eosinophilia and from normals based on density over distontinuous Metrizamide gradients; to determine quantitatively the levels of the three distinctive proteins of the eosinophil, specifically MBP, EDN, and ECP; and to compare the levels of these proteins found in eosinophils of patients with eosinophilia to the amounts …
A Comparative Consideration Of Lipoprotein Distribution And Stress Response In The Mallard Duck And Man, Janice Mackay
A Comparative Consideration Of Lipoprotein Distribution And Stress Response In The Mallard Duck And Man, Janice Mackay
Honors Theses
Lipid is associated with all of the major serum protein fractions of both the mallard duck and man. however, whereas the ρ lipoproteins predominate in man with little lipo-albumin evident, according to available literature, in ducks the lipo-albumin constitutes more than half of the serum lipoproteins, and a substantial lipo-prealbumin fraction is evident. Most studies of lipo-proteins are carried out on human serum primarily for the purpose of diagnosis of abnormalities. The stress response in many animals includes a rise in serum α-globulin levels, but its physiological basis is still speculative. While a consideration of the changes in lipoprotein distribution …
The Role Of D-Gluconic Acid In The Regulation Of The Synthesis Of The Enzymes Of The Entner-Doudoroff Pathway In Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Steven C. Quay
The Role Of D-Gluconic Acid In The Regulation Of The Synthesis Of The Enzymes Of The Entner-Doudoroff Pathway In Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Steven C. Quay
Honors Theses
Induction of Entner-Duodoroff pathway enzymes in Pseudomonas fluorescens was investigated to study the role of gluconate as a possible inducer. Glucose oxidase-deficient mutants were isolated and characterized. One of these mutants, gox-7, was deficient in particulate glucose oxidase; another mutant, gox-17, was deficient in particulate glucose and gluconate oxidase activities. Gluconate, but not glucose, induced synthesis of gluconokinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase in both mutants. High constitute levels of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase were found when both mutants were grown on glucose. Growth of parent and both mutant strains on glycerol also resulted in high levels of Entner-Doudoroff pathway enzymes. It was concluded …