Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 3 of 3
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
The Characterization Of Cx31 In Keratinocytes And Its Link To Erythrokeratodermia Variabilis Et Progressiva, Akina Au
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The connexin 31 (Cx31) mutants L135V and L209F are linked to the skin disease erythrokeratodermia variabilis et progressiva. We investigated the life-cycle of Cx31 and its interplay with co-expressed Cx26, Cx30 and Cx43 in rat epidermal keratinocytes. We demonstrated that the apparent half-life of Cx31 was extended compared to Cx43, and that Cx31 gap junctions persisted longer at the cell surface. In REKs, Cx31 gap junctions were dynamic and the ablation of Cx43 did not prevent Cx31 gap junction formation. Furthermore, Cx31 and Cx30 localized to the same gap junctions and exhibited the highest correlation coefficient. Lastly, we demonstrated that …
A Rhog/Ilk/Elmo2/Rac1 Pathways Modulates Microtubule Stability, Bradley C. Jackson
A Rhog/Ilk/Elmo2/Rac1 Pathways Modulates Microtubule Stability, Bradley C. Jackson
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a widely expressed scaffold protein important for cell adhesion, migration, and phagocytosis. ILK and its interacting partner, engulfment and cell motility protein 2 (ELMO2), may also modulate microtubule dynamics. Here, I show that sustained microtubule growth and acetylated tubulin levels are reduced in the absence of ILK and, conversely, that exogenous ILK exerts a stabilizing effect on microtubules. Further, exogenous ELMO2, ras homology growth related protein (RHOG) and ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) stabilize microtubules in an ILK-dependent manner. Potential downstream effectors of the effect of ILK on microtubule stability include glycogen synthase kinase- …
Functional Significance Of Ilk-Elmo2 Interactions In Epidermal Keratinocytes, Ernest Ho
Functional Significance Of Ilk-Elmo2 Interactions In Epidermal Keratinocytes, Ernest Ho
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The epidermis consists of a basal layer of undifferentiated keratinocytes and multiple suprabasal layers of differentiated keratinocytes. Undifferentiated keratinocytes are adherent and highly motile, whereas differentiated keratinocytes are comparatively less motile and downregulate cell attachments to the extracellular matrix. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a scaffold protein implicated in the regulation of many cellular functions in keratinocytes, including cell attachment, migration, phagocytosis, and protein trafficking. To determine the mechanisms by which ILK is involved in these processes, I sought to identify other proteins which may interact with ILK in keratinocytes. I identified Engulfment and Cell Motility 2 (ELMO2) to interact with …