Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Isolation And Characterization Of Potential Neurotoxic Cyanobacterial Metabolites Associated With Intoxication Of Captive Bottlenose Dolphins In The Florida Keys, Christina Lydon

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) living in captivity in the Florida Keys have recently been observed grazing macrophytic algal communities, and particularly, filamentous cyanobacteria, within their enclosures, and subsequently presenting apparent signs of intoxication. Collections of a mixed assemblage of marine filamentous cyanobacteria were morphologically related to the taxonomically complex and toxigenic polyphyletic genus, Lyngbya, sensu lato. Phylogenetic characterization, using 16S rDNA methods, identified an undescribed member of the recently accepted genus Neolyngbya (Oscillatoriales) among Neolyngbya arenicola, and an unknown Oscillatoriacean species within a poorly resolved clade clustering between the genera Limnoraphis and Capilliphycus.

A dual …

Interaction Of High Molecular Weight Compounds With A, Β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Moiety With Mammalian And Drosophila Melanogaster Thioredoxin Reductase, Anupama Tuladhar

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The thioredoxin system is the major cellular reductant system present in the cell, whose role is to maintain cellular redox homeostasis. It does this in part, by regulating the activity of many other enzymes including ribonucleotide reductase, which is essential for DNA synthesis. It also acts as an antioxidant, reducing destructive reactive oxygen species. The thioredoxin system is comprised of thioredoxin (Trx) which reduces target protein disulfide bridges by thiol-disulfide exchange and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) which reduces Trx back to its active state. Thioredoxin reductase is a common target for many cancer drugs including cisplatin and auranofin. Recently we have …

Synthesis Of A Pbtx-2 Photoaffinity And Fluorescent Probe And An Alternative Synthetic Route To Photoaffinity Probes, Ryan T. Cassell

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A natural phenomenon characterized by dense aggregations of unicellular photosynthetic marine organisms has been termed colloquially as red tides because of the vivid discoloration of the water. The dinoflagellate Karenia brevis is the cause of the Florida red tide bloom.

K. brevis produces the brevetoxins, a potent suite of neurotoxins responsible for substantial amounts of marine mammal and fish mortalities. When consumed by humans, the toxin causes Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP). The native function of brevetoxin within the organism has remained mysterious since its discovery. There is a need to identify factors which contribute to and regulate toxin production within …