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Biochemical Characterization Of Elastase Frompseudomonas Aeruginosa Ses 938-1, Semra Kocabiyik, Ezgi Ergi̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

We have investigated some biochemical properties of elastase from a new strain o f Pseudomonas aeruginosa (SES 938-1). Activities were measured at 410 nm using N-succinyl-L-(ala) 3 -p- nitroanilide as substrate. The elastase activity followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics over the substrate range of 0.067-0.540 mM with the apparent K m value of 0.375 mM. Optimum activity was observed at 36 °C and pH 7.5. elastase activity was inhibited by metal chelating agents and high concentrations of Mn 2+ , Zn 2+ and Ni 2+ . The results obtained suggest that elastase from P. aeruginosa SES 938-1 is a neutral metalloproteinase.

Roles Of Dnak And Rpos In Starvation-Induced Thermotolerance Of Escherichia Coli, David Rockabrand, Kevin Livers, Tess Austin, Robyn Kaiser, Debra Jensen, Richard Burgess, Paul H. Blum

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

DnaK is essential for starvation-induced resistance to heat, oxidation, and reductive division in Escherichia coli. Studies reported here indicate that DnaK is also required for starvation-induced osmotolerance, catalase activity, and the production of the RpoS-controlled Dps (PexB) protein. Because these dnaK mutant phenotypes closely resemble those of rpoS (o³⁸) mutants, the relationship between DnaK and RpoS was evaluated directly during growth and starvation at 30°C in strains with genetically altered DnaK content. A starvation-specific effect of DnaK on RpoS abundance was observed. During carbon starvation, DnaK deficiency reduced RpoS levels threefold, while DnaK excess increased RpoS levels …

Isolation And Characterization Of A Genomic Clone For A Nitrate Reductasae Isoform From Soybean, Glycine Max, Brent Chyna

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Adaptation Of The Freshwater Benthic Diatom Achanthidium Rostratum To Resource Limitation, Patrick Daniel Donovan

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Genetic Characterization Of The Gene Coding For A 77 Kd Ascospore-Specific Protein In Aspergillus Nidulans, Chad Edward Galer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study is one of the first molecular characterizations of a gene whose expression is exclusive to ascospores of Aspergillus nidulans. A 900 base pair (bp) fragment of this gene was cloned into a modified pUC19 plasmid and used to transform uridine auxotrophs of A. nidulans. Previous studies showed that A. nidulans is amenable to DNA mediated transformation by site-specific recombination (Fincham , 1989). Transformants were severely deficient in the production of ascospores, with decreases in viable ascospores per cleistothecia of 80-99.75%. Southern blotting experiments confirmed that integrative homologous transformation occurred in all cases, and that a tandem insertion is …

Egg Removal By Brown-Headed Cowbirds: A Field Test Of The Host Incubation Efficiency Hypothesis, Douglas R. Wood, Eric K. Bollinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) often remove host eggs, usually to the detriment of the host's reproductive success. We tested the hypothesis that host egg size and number influence the incubation efficiency of a parasitic egg. A single House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) or Brown-headed Cowbird egg was placed in each host nest (addition), and in some nests a host egg was removed as well (addition/removal). Hatching success and incubation length were measured to determine whether host-egg removal conferred an advantage in incubation efficiency compared to simple addition of a parasitic egg. Redwinged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) served …

Recovery Of Rna Polymerase Ii Synthesis Following Dna Damage In Mutants Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Defective In Nucleotide Excision Repair, Michael S. Reagan, Errol C. Friedberg

Biology Faculty Publications

We have measured the kinetics of the recovery of mRNA synthesis in the inducible GAL10 and RNR3 genes after exposure of yeast cells to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Such recovery is abolished in mutant strains defective in nucleotide excision repair (NER) of DNA, including a rad23 mutant. Mutants defective in the RAD7 or RAD16 genes, which are required for the repair of the non-transcribed strand but not the transcribed strand of transcriptionally active genes, show slightly faster recovery of RNA synthesis than wild-type strains. A strain deleted of the RAD26 gene, which is known to be required for strand-specific NER in …

Core Conservation Biology Monographs: A Citation Analysis, Chad E. Buckley

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Conservation biology is a multidisciplinary subject of recent origins. Analysis of cited monographs from the journal Conservation Biology resulted in a list of 47 monographs which were heavily cited for this discipline. Over half of these were from related disciplines such as ecology, genetics, evolution, population biology, statistics, and natural resource management.

Detection Of Hybridization Events Between The Coyote, Canis Latrans, And The Domestic Dog, Canis Familiaris, Using Two Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci And Cranial Morphometric Analysis, John Jobe Cox

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by John Jobe Cox on August 26, 1997.

Characterization Of The Sediment Bacterial Community In Groundwater Discharge Zones Of An Alkaline Fen: A Seasonal Study, Timothy C. Gsell, William E. Holben, Roy M. Ventullo

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The cell density, activity, and community structure of the bacterial community in wetland sediments were monitored over a 13-month period. The study was performed at Cedar Bog, an alkaline fen. The objective was to characterize the relationship between the sediment bacterial community in groundwater upwelling zones and the physical and chemical factors which might influence the community structure and activity. DNA, protein, and lipid synthesis were measured at three different upwelling zones by using [H-3]thymidine, [C-14]leucine, and [C-14]glucose incorporation, respectively. The physiological status (apparent stress) of the consortium was assessed by comparing [C-14]glucose incorporation into membrane and that into storage …

Antisense Expression Of The Peptide Transport Gene Atptr2-B Delays Flowering And Arrests Seed Development In Transgenic Arabidopsis Plants, Wei Song, Serry Koh, Mihály Czakó, László Márton, Eliana Drenkard, Jeffrey M. Becker, Gary Stacey

Faculty Publications

Previously, we identified a peptide transport gene, AtPTRZ-B, from Arabidopsis thaliana that was constitutively expressed in all plant organs, suggesting an important physiological role in plant growth and development. To evaluate the function of this transporter, transgenic Arabidopsis plants were constructed expressing antisense or sense AtPTRZ-B. Genomic Southern analysis indicated that four independent antisense and three independent sense AtPTRZ-B transgenic lines were obtained, which was confirmed by analysis of the segregation of the kanamycin resistance gene carried on the T-DNA. RNA blot data showed that the endogenous AtPJRZ-B mRNA levels were significantly reduced in transgenic leaves and …

The Role Of Alfalfa Weevil Larvae As Prey In Adult Maintenance And Reproduction By Two Ladybird Beetle Species, Douglas R. Richards

Biology

Ladybird beetles (Coccinella spp.) are important predators of pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) in alfalfa. Adult ladybird beetles also consume alternative foods such as alfalfa weevil larvae (Hypera postica) and nectar. I compared egg production and ovariole condition of Coccinella septempunctata (an Old World species introduced to North America) and Coccinella transversoguttata (an indigenous North American species) that were maintained on diets of pea aphids, alfalfa weevil larvae, sugar water ("artificial nectar"), or various combinations of these foods. In the first experiment, gravid females of both species continued to lay many eggs and had large ovarioles …

Patterns Of Root Colonization By The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Glomus Intraradices And Host Plant Responses, Kristopher A. Blee

Biology

Mycorrhizal hyphae were directed in their growth pattern in roots. Arbuscules produced by a single isolate of Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith in roots of corn, wheat, carrot, clover, mung bean, and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were consistently limited to cortical cells immediately adjacent to the endodermis. Two hypotheses for controlled growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plants were examined: (1) activation of plant defenses by the fungus, and (2) availability of host-derived carbon to the fungus. Accumulations of mRNAs for the defense-related genes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase, chitinase (CHT), glucanese, and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein were examined in the …

Effects Of Plant Architecture On The Foraging Behavior And Prey Capture Success Of Two Generalist Predators Attacking The Russian Wheat Aphid, Teresa L. Clark

Biology

This research investigated the effects of plant architecture on the foraging behavior and prey capture success of two generalist predators of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). One study examined plant architectural effects on the behavior of a native predator, the common green lacewing, Chrysoperla plorabunda Fitch; a second study examined host plant effects on larvae and adults of the fourteen-spotted ladybird beetle, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.), which is native to Eurasia and has been released in the United States for potential control of D. noxia. Behavioral observations of each of these predators were conducted on two architecturally diverse …

Plant- Versus Predator-Mediated Interactions Between Cereal Aphids On A Shared Host Plant, Erin Bergeson

Biology

This research investigates plant- and predator-mediated effects of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) on the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). I combined a suite of population-level experiments with behavioral observations to determine whether the two aphids interacted principally through a common host, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum [Fisher ex Link] Schultes), or a common predator, larvae of the green lacewing (Chrysoperla plorabunda [Fitch]). The population-level experiments revealed some evidence of host-mediated interspecific competition but only at extremely high aphid densities (>2000 individuals per greenhouse seedling). In addition, some of these experiments suggested that the bird …

Exploring The Structure And Function Of The Snf1 Kinase Gene In The Slime Mold Dictyostelium Discoideum, Bryan Donald Whitemarsh

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

All organisms must respond to different environmental stresses. For unicellular organisms, the most important source of stress is starvation or nutrient depletion. These microscopic life forms must respond to a constantly changing food supply in which short periods of nutrient availability are interspersed with extended periods of famine. In addition to complete starvation, these organisms are affected by other chemical changes, such as forced switching from a desirable to a less desirable carbon source, and physical changes, such as heat shock. Many microorganisms respond to such stresses by entering a different phase of their life cycle. For example, the budding …

The Role Of Cold Acclimatization On The Biogeography Of The Mountain Chickadee (Parus Gambeli) And The Juniper Titmouse (Parus Ridgwayi), Sheldon J. Cooper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biogeographic patterns of animals are shaped by biotic interactions, such as competition, and by abiotic factors, such as climate. Mountain Chickadees (Parus gambeli) and Juniper Titmice (Parus ridgway) are permanent residents of regions of western North America and are ecologically similar, but have different northern range limits. l measured several physiological variables, including basal metabolic rate (BMR), peak metabolic rate (PMR = maximal thermogenic capacity), metabolic response to varying environmental temperature (MRT), evaporative water loss (EWL), and daily energy expenditure (DEE) for summer-and winter-acclimatized Mountain Chickadees and Juniper Titmice to determine if seasonal and interspecific variation in cold tolerance and …

Interaction Of The Human Serine Protease Inhibitor Alpha-1-Antitrypsin With Cryptosporidium Parvum, John Russell Forney

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The human serine protease inhibitor (serpin) alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) was studied for potential interaction with components of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. A homogenate prepared from C. parvum oocysts was incubated with purified human AAT, and complexes formed between the serpin and components of the homogenate were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serpin:parasite infections were effectively blocked by preincubating AAT with a cognate target enzyme, porcine pancreatic elastase, prior to performing the ELISA on the homogenate. Incubation of a mixture of C. parvum oocysts and sporozoites with AAT demonstrated preferential fluorescence labeling of the sporozoite surface membrane by indirect …

Reversion Rates In A Leub Auxotroph Of Escherichia Coli K-12 Correlate With Ppgpp Levels During Exponential Growth, Barbara E. Wright, Michael F. Minnick

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Two isogenic strains of Escherichia coli K-12 differing only in relA, as well as two spoT transductants of the relA- strain, were examined with respect to ppGpp levels and reversion rates of a leuB- allele under nine different conditions. A positive correlation was established between reversion rates and the steady-state concentration of ppGpp during exponential growth. The leuB genes from two leuB- strains (isogenic except for relA) were cloned and sequenced and found to contain a single mutation, namely, a C-to-T transition at nucleotide 857. This mutation resulted in a serine-to-leucine substitution at amino acid residue 286 of the LeuB …

The Biological Flora Of Coastal Dunes And Wetlands. Sesuvium Portulacastrum (L.) L., Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L. (sea purslane, cenicilla) is a pantropical, perennial, trailing herb (Aizoaceae) with pink-purple or occasionally white flowers that grows on coastal beaches of five continents and many islands. Herein we present a review of the biology of S. portulacastrum. It is an important pioneer species on sandy beaches in the subtropics and tropics, where its stoloniferous, mat-forming growth habit promotes embryonic dune formation in belts parallel to the shoreline. Colonies act as barriers to intercept and hold water and wind transported sand. Sesuvium portulacastrum's success as a colonizing species is related, in large part, to its …

Effects Of Creatine Supplementation On Muscular Strength And Power Development In Well-Trained Football Players, Josef D. Mcquain

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of creatine supplementation on strength and power performance in well-trained football players. Twenty-one subjects were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: 1) creatine monohydrate, 2) creatine monohydrate+dextrose, or 3) placebo utilizing a double-blind design. Prior to assignment, subjects were matched according to lean body mass. After a five day loading dose, a maintenance dose was administered for 12 days. Test protocols included three anaerobic work bouts: l) two 30 s Wingate bike tests interspersed with five minutes recovery were used to ascertain relative and absolute power, 2) two 100 yard …

Relationship Of Resting And Submaximal Cardiovascular Measures To Vo[2]Max In Untrained Children, Thomas A. Cappaert

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Participation by children in organized sport continues to increase. A 1994 survey of 10,000 households by the National Sporting Goods Association (1994) found that approximately 40,000 children between the ages of 7-17 years participate in an organized sport or recreational activity annually. In the realm of organized sports, especially endurance activities, there continues to be interest in how cardiovascular fitness is attained and how it can be maximized. Measurement of cardiovascular fitness is an important piece to that puzzle.

The most common and most descriptive measure for children and adults, is the maximal oxygen uptake or max (Astrand & Rodahl, …

In Vivo Incorporation Of Tritium To Measure Lipogenesis In Red Skeletal Muscle: Significance Of A Nonlipogenic Diet In La/N-Fa(K)("Corpulent") And Zucker Fa Rat Strains, Karin Traci Mann

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Skeletal muscle lipogenesis in rodents may equal that of liver but its importance in the obese animals is not known. We evaluated the rate of fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis and storage content in red skeletal muscles, liver, inguinal fat, and retroperitoneal fat of the LA/N-fa^k (“corpulent”) and Zucker fa obese rat strains. Obese-lean pairs of both rat strains, weaned at 32 days, fed a nonlipogenic diet (54% starch for 21 days) were either dosed with 2 µCi 3H-H² O per gram of body weight and tested after 60 minutes for whole body 3H-incorporation into fatty acids and …

Problems With The Interpretation Of Mark-Release-Recapture Data In Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Anthony D. Curtis, Deborah A. Waller

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The Lincoln index (Peterson method) is frequently used to estimate animal population size in mark-release-recapture studies. We tested the accuracy of this method to estimate termite colony size using logs infested with termites that were maintained in the laboratory. Termites were fed paper towels dyed either with 0.05% or 0.1% (w/w) of the dye marker Nile blue and released into their host logs in the laboratory. Following recapture a week later, estimates of termite population size for termites dyed with 0.05% Nile blue, and were approximately 3 times greater for termites dyed with 0.1% Nile blue. Concentrations of 0.1% Nile …

Acute And Chronic Exposure To Lead: Cellular And Behavioral Effects On The Pond Snail Helisoma Trivolvis, Virginia T. Bennett

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

The focus of this study is on the effects of lead on Helisoma trivolvis, a pulmonate pond snail. Many species of molluscs are being used as bioindicators of environmental toxins. To provide a background for the reader, a brief history and description of the Phylum Mollusca (at the class level) is presented in Chapter 1. A second chapter (Ch. 2) is concerned with lead and its effects. A synopsis of past and present studies that show the interaction between lead and molluscs is given in Chapter 3, then two experimental chapters follow. The first experimental chapter (Ch. 4) is …

Evidence That Elevated C02 Levels And Indirectly Increase Rhizosphere Denitrifier Activity, John M. Stark, D. Smart, K. Ritchie, Bruce Bugbee

Biology Faculty Publications

We examined the influence of elevated CO2 concentration on denitrifier enzyme activity in wheat rhizoplanes by using controlled environments and solution culture techniques. Potential denitrification activity was from 3 to 24 times higher on roots that were grown under an elevated CO2 concentration of 1,000 micromoles of CO2 mol-1 than on roots grown under ambient levels of CO2. Nitrogen loss, as determined by a nitrogen mass balance, increased with elevated CO2 levels in the shoot environment and with a high NO3- concentration in the rooting zone. These results indicated that aerial CO2 concentration can play a role in rhizosphere denitrifier …

Analysis Of The Inheritance Repression Of A Transposable Element In Drosophila Melanogaster, Melissa Leone

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Regulation Of The Activities Of The Three Nitrate Reductase Isoforms In Wild-Type Soybean Glycine Max (L.) Merr. (Variety Williams) By Protein Phosphorylation, Maribel T. Joson

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Macrophyte-Macroinvertebrate Interactions In A Lentic Ecosystem And The Effect Of Fluridone Treatment To Control Myriophyllum Spicatum L., Gregory J. Moeller

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Myriophyllum spicatum L. is an exotic macrophyte that can become pestiferous in lentic ecosystems. Two field studies were conducted to investigate: 1) epiphytic macroinvertebrates associated with M. spicatum and native macrophytes; and 2) epiphytic macroinvertebrate community response to fluridone treatment for M. spicatum control.

In the first study evaluating epiphytic macroinvertebrates associated with M. spicatum and native macrophytes, triplicate samples were collected at three sites in both Auburn and Zumbra Lakes, Minnesota, USA. One site in each lake contained primarily M. spicatum, the second site contained M. spicatum and native vegetation, and the third site was dominated by native …

Ecomorphology Of Peromyscus In Iowa, Frederick Dramani Biga

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus /eucopus noveboracensis) were collected from weedy and prairie habitats of Black Hawk County, and white-footed mice were collected from forested areas of Hardin County, Iowa. Twenty-three external and cranial characters were measured from 125 deer mice and 72 white-footed mice. Analysis of means by t-tests showed significant sexual dimorphism in deer mice in four cranial characters; palatine width at 3rd molar, width of foramen magnum, width of 3rd molar, and width of the incisor. Sexual dimorphism was also found in white-footed mice in three external and one cranial character: total length, …