Life Sciences Commons^™

Thermal Decomposition Studies Of Selected Transition Metal Polysulfide Complexes. Ii. Effect Of Atmosphere On Decomposition, Benjamin Rougeau, Mark Draganjac

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Initial studies involved the thermal decomposition profile of five polysulfide complexes in air up to 550 °C. Since our first report to the Academy in 1990, we have obtained the capability to run samples up to 1500°C under various gases. Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)of a series of transition metal polysulfide complexes are presented. Compounds analyzed included Cp2TiS5 ,MoS9 2",MoOS8 2", Zn(S x ) 2", Cd(S x ) 2-, Fe2S122 - and NiS82.

Binding Of Matrix Attachment Regions To Lamin Polymers Involves Single-Stranded Regions And The Minor Groove., M. E. Eva Ludérus, Jan L. Den Blaauwen, Oncko J. De Smit, Duane A. Compton, Roel Van Driel

Dartmouth Scholarship

Chromatin in eukaryotic nuclei is thought to be partitioned into functional loop domains that are generated by the binding of defined DNA sequences, named MARs (matrix attachment regions), to the nuclear matrix. We have previously identified B-type lamins as MAR-binding matrix components (M. E. E. Ludérus, A. de Graaf, E. Mattia, J. L. den Blaauwen, M. A. Grande, L. de Jong, and R. van Driel, Cell 70:949-959, 1992). Here we show that A-type lamins and the structurally related proteins desmin and NuMA also specifically bind MARs in vitro. We studied the interaction between MARs and lamin polymers in molecular detail …

Morphometric Analysis Of Enteric Lesions In C3h/Hen Mice Inoculated With Serpulina Hyodysenteriae Serotypes 2 And 4 With Or Without Oral Streptomycin Pretreatment, Jagannatha V. Mysore, Gerald Duhamel

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The segmental distribution and sequential progression and the role of the indigenous bacterial flora in the development of enteric lesions associated with Serpulina hyodysenteriae infection in laboratory mice have not been defined. We examined the distribution and sequential morphometric changes in the large intestine of mice orally inoculated with S. hyodysenteriae serotypes 2 and 4. To determine the role of colonization resistance conferred by the indigenous bacterial flora, 40 female C3H/HeN mice were administered water alone or water containing 5 mg/mL streptomycin sulfate ad libitum for seven days prior to orogastric inoculation either with S. hyodysenteriae or sterile trypticase soy …

Regulatory Analysis Of Vimentin Expression In Metastatic Versus Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Danielle N. Bird

Theses and Dissertations

The intermediate filament gene family, composed of six classes, shows both tissue and development-specific expression. Vimentin is a unique member of the intermediate filament protein family: although it is expressed in cells of mesenchymal origin, vimentin may also be expressed with other intermediate filament proteins during early stages of development. In some cases, as differentiation continues, vimentin is normally down-regulated whereas other intermediate filament proteins, like desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, or neurofilaments are turned on in muscle, glial cells, or neurons, respectively. In some metastatic cancers, including breast and prostate cancers, vimentin is aberrantly expressed, despite the embryonic origin …

Expression, Purification And Characterization Of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein From E.Coli Using A Chemically Synthesized Gene (1), And Cloning, Expression, Purification And Characterization Of The Major Core Protein (P26) From Equine Infectious Anaemia Virus, Ashley James Birkett

Theses and Dissertations

The hepatitis c virus (HCV) core gene has been chemically synthesized and used to direct the expression of core protein in Escherichia coli (E.coli). When cloned downstream of the inducible T7 promotor the core gene directed the expression of a soluble protein with a molecular weight of 22 kDa. Under native conditions the protein behaved in a manner consistent with the formation of a multimeric structure, which may represent assembled core particles. Further, when examined by electron microscopy a heterogeneous mixture of nucleocapsid-like particles were visible. Core protein was specifically recognized by antibodies present in HCV infected serum, suggesting that …

The Effect Of Acute Ethanol Exposure On The Male Rodent Reproductive Axis, Margaret Mary Halloran

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Ribosomal Protein S3: A Multifunctional Eukaryotic Dna Repair Enzyme Active On Ultraviolet And Oxidative Dna Damage, David M. Wilson

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Properties Of A Novel Early Lymphoid Activation Gene (Elag) Isolated From A Hodgkin's-Disease Cell Line, John Scott Bennett

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Cloning, Expression, Purification And Characterization Of Domain B Of Wheat Germ Agglutinin, Ann C. Rice

Theses and Dissertations

Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) belongs to a family of dimeric chitin binding lectins specific for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid (NeuNAc). The polypeptide chain consists of a tandem repeat of four conserved 4.3 kDa domains (A, B, C, D) stabilized by four disulfide bonds. Saccharide binding occurs in the dimer interface where domains of different subunits are in contact (A with D, B with C). An aromatic amino acid rich pocket on one domain (sufficient for saccharide binding) and a polar region on the contacting domain constitute a complete binding site. Saccharide binding affinities may differ among the four unique …

The Role Of Sexual Selection In Structuring West Indian Passerine Communities, C. Lynne Starling

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

Patterns of plumage dimorphism were examined among species of passerines native to 19 West Indian islands. Based on sexual selection theory, the predictions were made that dimorphic species: (1) occur on fewer and larger islands than monomorphic species due to reduced colonization ability and reduced survivorship imposed by sexual selection pressure, and (2) should be added to island communities disproportionately as area increases, an idea which was tested using linear models.

No significant difference was observed between number of islands or minimum island area occupied by dimorphics versus monomorphics. The traditional ANCOVA model best fits the data and suggests that …

Susceptibility Of Eumeces Species Skinks To A Southeastern Isolate Of The Lyme Disease Spirochete (Borrelia Burgdorferi), Gregory A. Cummins

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

The SI-4 strain of Borrelia burgdorferi obtained from field collected Ixodes scapularis on Sapelo Island, Georgia, was infective to seven of eight cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) by needle inoculation. I. scapularis larvae were then fed on them, and nymphs molting from these larvae were then fed on laboratory mice, Mus musculus, in an attempt to transmit the spirochete. One of three mice was successfully infected; confirmation of the presence of B. burgdorferi was made using BSK II culture and the polymerase chain reaction (PGR). A subsequent attempt was made to determine if SI-4 was infective for Eumeces …

Spiroplasma (Entomoplasmatales) Associated With Tabanidae (Diptera) And Lampyridae (Coleoptera), Jimmy Wedincamp Jr.

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

Abstract 1:

To determine the exit points of Spiroplasma from tabanids, 45 naturally infected Tabanus gladiator and 6 T. sulcifrons were restrained and fed 10% sucrose. The flies were allowed to feed for 24 hours and the resulting oral and anal specks were cultured in MID broth. Spiroplasmas were isolated from 21 of 51 oral specks but none of 23 anal specks deposited on plastic. In contrast, when anal specks were deposited in a sucrose solution, 9 of 28 anal specks in sucrose yielded spiroplasma cultures. Air-dried spiroplasma cultures in 5% sucrose survived for up to 30 days in the …

Characterization And Genetic Analysis Of A Pigmentation Mutant Of Neurospora Crassa, Craig West Banks

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

The mutant overaccumulator of carotenoids, ovc. was obtained from the Fungal Genetics Stock Center in Kansas City, Kansas. This mutant had been isolated following UV irradiation of the colonial mutant col-4 and mapped to Linkage Group IV (R. Harding, 1984 Neurospora Newsletter 34: 23-25). Examination of ovc in our laboratory revealed that in addition to having increased pigmentation, the mutant was osmotic sensitive, failing to grow on 6% NaCl. Morphology of ovc closely resembles that of cut, another osmotic sensitive mutant in LG IV. A cross of ovc to the osmotic sensitive mutant cut failed to produce …

An Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna In Rett Syndrome And Other Neurodegenerative Disorders, Catherine Erickson Burgess

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from mutations on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is being recognized in a growing spectrum of diseases. These diseases, resulting from single base mutations, large deletions, or insertions, have been largely neuromuscular in origin. However, as an understanding of the effects of mtDNA mutations progresses, attention is now focusing on neurodegenerative diseases. Rett Syndrome (RS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with predominantly female cases, demonstrates morphologic mitochondrial changes, mitochondrial enzyme deficiencies and maternal inheritance (characteristic of mtDNA diseases). No investigation of mtDNA involvement has been previously conducted and, to date, no biological marker exists for this disorder.

Our preliminary studies …

Subunit Interactions Of Recombinant Hiv-1 Reverse Transcriptase With Mutations At L289, Jacquelyn R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Reverse transcriptase (RT) is a dimeric enzyme required for replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If the subunits of the RT dimer are dissociated, the enzyme is no longer active; therefore, identification of subunit binding sites could lead to potential targets for antiviral therapy. In order to identify where subunit binding of RT occurs, mutations were made at leucine (L) 289, a residue believed to be involved in dimerization through hydrophobic interactions with other leucines. L289 is the central leucine of a leucine repeat sequence which resembles a leucine zipper protein-DNA binding motif. Two mutations, leucine to arginine (L289R) …

Biogeochemical Control Of Phosphorus Cycling And Primary Production In Lake Michigan, R. S. Walsh, Gregory A. Cutter, W. M. Dunstan, J. Radford-Knoery, J. T. Elder

OES Faculty Publications

A 3-yr study in Lake Michigan has shown a 27 mmol P m^-2 increase in the mass of total P (TP) in the water during spring when the lake is mixed from surface to sediment. This value is an order of magnitude greater than the annual P input from external sources. TP changed in concert with increases in chlorophyll a and organic N and decreases in nitrate and soluble Si. The concentration of soluble reactive PO_4^-3 (SRP) remained relatively constant throughout the study. We hypothesize that the SRP concentration is maintained by a chemical equilibrium with calcium-phosphate …

Severe Bone Marrow Suppression In A Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis On Methotrexate, M P. Iqbal, A A. Ali, A A. Alvi

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Molecular Basis For Erythromycin Sensitivity And Resistance In Escherichia Coli, Harold S. Chittum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effect of erythromycin on the 50S ribosomal subunit during cell growth has been extensively investigated. Sucrose density gradient analysis of ribosomes formed in the presence and absence of the drug revealed a 50S specific assembly defect is partially responsible for erythromycin's inhibitory effects on wild type cells. Examination of two erythromycin-resistant mutants of E. coli (N281 and N282) revealed that mutant N281 (L22 mutant) but not N282 (L4 mutant) was assembly defective in the presence of the drug, although only at much higher drug concentrations (300 ug/ml vs. 75 ug/ml for wild type cells). The altered genes from each …

A Characterization Of Extractable, Hydroxylated Fatty Acid Bearing Components In Legionella Pneumophila, Jonathan R. Lane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Extraction of the lipids of Legionella pneumophila yields phases unlike those produced from other Gram-negative bacteria. A viscous interface forms between the aqueous (wash) and organic phases. More than half of the hydroxylated fatty acids were found distributed between the aqueous phase and the interfacial material, fractions in which such constituents have not been reported in other Gram-negative species. It was further observed that after the material from the aqueous/interfacial phase was dissolved in methanol or chloroform/methanol (2:1 (V/V)), the addition of acetone would create a white, flocculent precipitate. Analyses showed that the supernatant contained fatty acids that were nonhydroxylated …

Unusual Structure Of A Human Middle Repetitive Dna, Duminda D. Ratnasinghe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The L2Hs sequences are a polymorphic, interspersed, middle repetitive DNA family unique to human genomes. Genomic fingerprinting indicates that these DNAs vary from one individual to another and between tissues of the same individual. Sequence analysis reveals that they are AT-rich (76%) and contain many unusual sequence arrangements (palindromes, inverted and direct repeats). These sequence properties confer on the L2Hs elements the potential to fold into non-B-form structures, a characteristic of recombination hot spots. To test this hypothesis carbodiimide, osmium tetroxide and S$\sb1$ nuclease were used as single-strand specific probes to study a recombinant plasmid, pN6.4.39, containing a single L2Hs …

Tyrosyl Protein Phosphorylation In Human Bone Cells : Its Potential Role In Mediating Fluoride Induced Osteoblast Proliferation, Alan Blair Thomas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This dissertation was designed to test the hypothesis that fluoride-stimulated osteoblast proliferation is mediated by specific inhibition of a phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase, resulting in increased steady state levels of tyrosyl phosphorylation of key cellular proteins. Cellular levels of tyrosyl phosphorylation were determined by an immunoblot detection assay in which cellular proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, transblotted to nitrocellulose membranes and the phosphotyrosyl proteins were identified by anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibodies. The relative amount of tyrosyl phosphorylation was quantitated by laser densitometric analysis of the autoradiograms. This method showed that fluoride induced dose- and time-dependent changes in the level of tyrosyl phosphorylation …

The 2′-Phosphate Of Nadp Is Critical For Optimum Productive Binding To 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase From Candida Utilis, Anthony J. Berdis, Paul F. Cook

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Initial velocity studies obtained with alternative dinucleotide substrates for the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase reaction suggest that the 2′-phosphate is critical for the optimum productive binding of the dinucleotide substrate. Initial velocity patterns obtained by varying 6-phosphogluconate at different fixed levels of NAD are nearly parallel with apparent competitive substrate inhibition by 6-phosphogluconate at pH 7 and below but intersect to the left of the ordinate at pH 8 and above. Dead-end inhibition studies indicate that the mechanism is random at all pH values. Data are interpreted in terms of a random mechanism with marked antagonism in the binding of NAD and …

The Primary Structure Of A Fungal Chitin Deacetylase Reveals The Function For Two Bacterial Gene Products., Dimitris Kafetzopoulos, George Thireos, John N. Vournakis, Vassilis Bouriotis

Dartmouth Scholarship

Chitin deacetylase (EC 3.5.1.41) hydrolyzes the N-acetamido groups of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitin. A cDNA to the Mucor rouxii mRNA encoding chitin deacetylase was isolated, characterized, and sequenced. Protein sequence comparisons revealed significant similarities of the fungal chitin deacetylase to rhizobial nodB proteins and to an uncharacterized protein encoded by a Bacillus stearothermophilus open reading frame. These data suggest the functional homology of these evolutionarily distant proteins. NodB is a chitooligosaccharide deacetylase essential for the biosynthesis of the bacterial nodulation signals, termed Nod factors. The observed similarity of chitin deacetylase to the B. stearothermophilus gene product suggests that this gene …

Sds Non-Acrylamide Polymeric Gel-Filled Capillary Electrophoresis For Molecular Size Separation Of Protein, Devon Andres

Honors Theses

Sodium dodecyl sulfide (SDS) non-acrylamide gel-filled capillary columns are a new technology being used for analysis and separation of biotechnology-derived proteins. This research was to compare this new technology to the current methods of SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). The molecular mass of four different recombinant proteins were determined by two commercialized SDS non-acrylamide gel-filled capillary columns, SDS-PAGE, and HPSEC. The data obtained showed that the SDS non-acrylamide gel-filled capillary columns were compatible with the SDS-PAGE technique for molecular mass determination. HPSEC was shown to be unreliable for molecular weight determination. SDS non-acrylamide gel-filled capillary …

Inheritance Of Freezing Resistance In Tuber-Bearing Solanum Species: Evidence For Independent Genetic Control Of Nonacclimated Freezing Tolerance And Cold Acclimation Capacity, Julie M. Stone, Jiwan P. Palta, John B. Bamberg, Laurie S. Weiss, James F. Harbage

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Frost or winter survival is regarded as a complex trait with polygenic inheritance. Two maijor components of this survival in crop plants are freezing tolerance in the nonacclimated state and cold acclimation capacity. To date researchers have not distinguished the two components as separate heritable traits. The mode of inheritance of these two traits was investigated in F1 and backcross populations of two wild diploid potato species (Solanum commersonii and Solanum cardiophyllum) exhibiting extremes of freezing tolerance and acclimation capacity. Precise assessment of these two traits allowed distinction of small but significant differences among genotypes. The two traits …

Aerotaxis In Bacillus Subtilis, Laurence Samuel Wong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

B. subtilis, like Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, responded to a step increase in oxygen concentration by swimming smoothly (~ 35 s duration) and to a decrease in oxygen by tumbling. In a spatial gradient of oxygen in liquid media, a band of cells congregated near the air interface. Aerotaxis required a functioning respiratory chain. Adaptation of B. subtilis, E. coli and S. typhimurium to media containing amino acids requires methylation of receptors/methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins. Adaptation to oxygen and phosphotransferase sugar substrates in B. subtilis was dependent on methylation, unlike similar adaptation in E. coli and S. typhimurium. …

The Interplay Of Light And The Circadian Clock. Independent Dual Regulation Of Clock-Controlled Gene Ccg-2(Eas), Guiseppina Arpaia, Jennifer J. Loros, Jay C. Dunlap, Giorgio Morelli, Guiseppe Macino

Dartmouth Scholarship

Ambient light is the major agent mediating entrainment of circadian rhythms and is also a major factor influencing development and morphogenesis. We show that in Neurospora crassa the expression of clock-controlled gene 2 (ccg-2), a gene under the control of the circadian clock and allelic to the developmental gene easy wettable (eas), is regulated by light in wild-type strains. Light elicits a direct and important physiological effect on ccg-2(eas) expression as demonstrated using several mutant Neurospora strains. In white collar mutants (wc-1 and wc-2) that are “blind” to blue light, ccg-2(eas) mRNA shows no variation following illumination with saturating light. …

Genetic Analyses Of Photopigment Biosynthesis In Eubacteria: A Guiding Light For Algea And Plants, David Bollivar

Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Leukocyte Extravasation Into The Pancreatic Tissue In Transgenic Mice Expressing Interleukin 10 In The Islets Of Langerhans., Lise Wogensen, Xiaojian Huang, Nora Sarvetnick

Journal Articles: Regenerative Medicine

Transgenic expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10) in the islets of Langerhans leads to a pronounced pancreatic inflammation, without inflammation of the islets of Langerhans and without diabetes. A scattered infiltration of macrophages (M pi) precedes localized accumulations of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and M pi. This recruitment of inflammatory cells to the pancreas is somewhat surprising, since the biological activities of IL-10 in vitro indicate that IL-10 is a powerful immunosuppressive cytokine. Since endothelial cells play a major role in leukocyte extravasation, we examined if vascular changes and extralymphoid induction of peripheral and mucosal type vascular addressins …

Studies On Type I And Type Ii Dna Topoisomerases From Mammalian Mitochondria, Jia-Hwei Lin

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Mammalian mitochondria contain a unique DNA topoisomerase I with characteristics of both nuclear and bacterial type I DNA topoisomerases. This enzyme, purified from bovine liver, requires cations as cofactors and possesses optimal activity at pH 7.0, 37°C and either 150 mM K+ or Na+ ions. Similar to nuclear enzymes and different from the bacterial enzyme, divalent ions such as Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ will stimulate but are not essential for the enzymatic activity.

Like the nuclear DNA topoisomerase I, the mitochondrial enzyme is capable of relaxing both negatively and positively supercoiled DNA. The relaxation of negatively supercoiled DNA is …