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Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Theses/Dissertations

Apoptosis

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Role Of Rgs2 In Cellular Stress, Chang-Hui Wang Aug 2015

Role Of Rgs2 In Cellular Stress, Chang-Hui Wang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Stresses from the external environment can disrupt cellular processes and result in damaging effects, such as the misfolding of proteins, which have been linked to several diseases. Regulator of G protein signalling 2 (RGS2) is upregulated by several forms of stress and can inhibit protein synthesis, an established response to stress typically achieved via the phosphorylation of the initiation factor, eIF2, to conserve energy and resources. Under reduced translation, some factors are selectively expressed via alternative translation mechanisms and these factors consequently may promote apoptosis. The molecular mechanisms mediating such opposing responses to stress are not well understood. Here, we …


Mechanisms Of Neural Precursor Cell Apoptosis By Microglia-Derived Cytokines, Jennifer Guadagno Jan 2015

Mechanisms Of Neural Precursor Cell Apoptosis By Microglia-Derived Cytokines, Jennifer Guadagno

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The persistence of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in distinct niches of the adult brain and spinal cord provides an important opportunity for regeneration in the affected nervous system. In the adult brain, neural precursor cells (NPCs) generate new neurons that can be integrated into the CNS circuitry to replace damaged or lost neurons, and contribute to learning and memory processes. Deregulated neurogenesis has been observed under both acute and chronic neurological conditions including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. The extent to which neurogenesis contributes to brain repair is severely limited by the neuroinflammatory processes associated with these neurodegenerative conditions. …


Ilk Modulates Stress-Induced Apoptosis In Epidermal Keratinocytes, Michelle Im Aug 2014

Ilk Modulates Stress-Induced Apoptosis In Epidermal Keratinocytes, Michelle Im

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a ubiquitous scaffold protein that mediates cellular responses to integrin stimulation by extracellular matrix proteins. Mice with inactivation of the Ilk gene in squamous epithelia display defects in skin regeneration after injury, failure to thrive, and perinatal death. ILK-deficient epidermis exhibits reduced adhesion to the basement membrane and impaired hair follicle morphogenesis. In culture, ILK-deficient keratinocytes fail to attach and spread efficiently, and demonstrate decreased survival. We now show that ILK-deficient keratinocytes exhibit lower proliferative capacity and increased apoptosis in the absence or presence of growth factors. This reduced viability appears to be independent of the …


A C-Terminus Mitochondrial-Localization Region And Bh3 Domain Of Puma Are Required For Apoptotic Function, Liz A. Merwin May 2013

A C-Terminus Mitochondrial-Localization Region And Bh3 Domain Of Puma Are Required For Apoptotic Function, Liz A. Merwin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Apoptosis is known to contribute to the loss of neurological function in brain injury and several neurodegenerative diseases. The Bcl-2 family of proteins consist of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members that interact physically and functionally to regulate apoptosis in a cell type and stimulus specific manner. We have previously demonstrated that the Bcl-2 family member Puma plays a key role in triggering neuronal apoptosis under diverse stress conditions. However, the mechanism by which Puma mediates apoptosis remains unclear. Here we found that Puma contains two domains required for its apoptotic function: the BH3 domain and a region in the c-terminus that …