Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

Microstructural Changes To Proso Millet Protein Bodies Upon Cooking And Digestion, Paridhi Gulati, You Zhou, Christian Elowsky, Devin J. Rose

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Cooking results in a drastic decline in digestibility of proso millet proteins, panicins. Scanning electron and confocal microscopy were used to observe morphological changes in proso millet protein bodies upon cooking and digestion that could be associated with the loss in digestibility. Spherical protein bodies (1–2.5 mm) were observed in proso millet flour and extracted protein. Cooking did not result in any noticeable change in the size or shape of the protein bodies. However, upon digestion with pepsin the poor digestibility of cooked proso millet protein was clearly evident from the differences in microstructure of the protein bodies: large cavities …

การพัฒนาอุปกรณ์วิเคราะห์ฐานกระดาษสำหรับหาปริมาณสารเพรดนิโซโลนและเดกซาเมทาโซนที่ปลอมปนในผลิตภัณฑ์สมุนไพรด้วยวิธีเคมีไฟฟ้า, วิศรุต พริ้มพราย

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การปลอมปนของสารสเตียรอยด์ชนิดเดกซาเมทาโซนและเพรดนิโซโลนในผลิตภัณฑ์สมุนไพรเป็นปัญหาสำคัญที่ก่อผลเสียร้ายแรงต่อสุขภาพของผู้ใช้ ในหลาย ๆ ประเทศทั่วโลก โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในประเทศกำลังพัฒนา งานวิจัยนี้ ประสบความสำเร็จในการพัฒนาอุปกรณ์สำหรับแยกและตรวจวัดปริมาณการปลอมปนของสารสเตียรอยด์ดังกล่าว โดยใช้อุปกรณ์ตรวจวิเคราะห์ฐานกระดาษและใช้หลักการทางเคมีไฟฟ้า (electrochemical paper-based analytical device หรือ ePAD) ซึ่งประกอบด้วยกระดาษ Whatman SG81 ตลับพลาสติกจากการพิมพ์สามมิติ และขั้วไฟฟ้าชนิด screen printed electrode โดยกระดาษ Whatman SG81 ใช้สำหรับแยกสารสเตียรอยด์ชนิดเดกซาเมทาโซนและเพรดนิโซโลน โดยใช้วัฏภาคเคลื่อนที่เป็นสารละลาย 60% ethyl acetate ใน cyclohexane ซึ่งผลการศึกษาพบว่าสามารถแยกสารสเตียรอยด์ดังกล่าวออกจากสิ่งเจือปนต่าง ๆ ได้ภายใน 7 นาที สารสเตียรอยด์ที่แยกออกจากกันบนกระดาษ นำมาวัดปริมาณด้วยเทคนิคเคมีไฟฟ้าชนิด differential pulse voltammetry โดยใช้ตลับพลาสติกจากการพิมพ์สามมิติที่ถูกออกแบบทำให้สารละลายอิเล็กโทรไลต์ถูกขังอยู่บนกระดาษ ทำให้สามารถตรวจวัดสัญญาณทางเคมีไฟฟ้าได้คงที่ ซึ่งอุปกรณ์ที่พัฒนาขึ้นสามารถตรวจวัดปริมาณปลอมปนของสารสเตียรอยด์ทั้งชนิดเดกซาเมทาโซนและ เพรดนิโซโลนได้ในช่วงความเข้มข้นระหว่าง 10 ถึง 500 µg/mL โดยมีค่าสัมประสิทธิ์สหสัมพันธ์เท่ากับ 0.988 และ 0.994 ตามลำดับ มีขีดจำกัดในการตรวจวิเคราะห์เชิงคุณภาพเท่ากับ 3.59 µg/mL และ 6.00 µg/mL ตามลำดับ และขีดจำกัดในการตรวจวิเคราะห์เชิงปริมาณมีค่าเท่ากับ 11.98 µg/mL และ 20.02 µg/mL ตามลำดับ การตรวจวัดปริมาณปลอมปนของสารสเตียรอยด์ทั้งสองชนิดในสิ่งตัวอย่างผลิตภัณฑ์สมุนไพรจริงด้วยวิธีที่พัฒนาขึ้นมีค่าสอดคล้องกับผลที่ตรวจด้วยวิธี HPLC และเป็นวิธีที่ใช้งานง่าย มีต้นทุนต่ำ รวดเร็ว และมีศักยภาพนำไปใช้ตรวจหาสิ่งตัวอย่างผลิตภัณฑ์สมุนไพรที่สงสัยว่ามีการปลอมปนของสารสเตียรอยด์ ในระดับภาคสนาม

Wnt Secretion Proteins Modulate Rankl-Induced Expression Of Aire In Thymic Epithelial Cells, Daniel Pollack

Dissertations and Theses

Thymic epithelial cells (TEC) are essential for a proper adaptive immune response by regulating thymocyte development and establishing central tolerance. In the thymus, TECs differentially express Wnt proteins, which activate canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways. Wnt signaling is thought to regulate cell survival, proliferation, and development although the direct molecular mechanisms in TECs have yet to be elucidated. The inducible inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling with Dkk1 leads to a rapid loss of TEC progenitors as well as a decline in mature Aire-expressing mTECs. Therefore, we explore the role of Wnt ligands potentially responsible for stimulating and/or regulating Wnt …

Signaling Through Homomeric And Heteromeric Cannabinoid Cb1 Receptors, Guoqing Xiang

Theses and Dissertations

Cannabis (Marijuana) has multiple effects on the human body, such as analgesia, euphoria and memory impairment. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC), the active ingredient in cannabis, binds to cannabinoid receptors, seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that mediate a variety of physiological functions. GPCRs were believed to function only in homomeric forms, however, recent findings show that different GPCRs can also form heteromeric complexes that may expand their signaling properties. In this study, we focused on Cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) heteromers with the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and the Dopamine type 2 receptor (D2R), respectively. We utilized a variety of techniques, such as the …

Cellular Inhibitor Of Apoptosis Protein2 – A Critical Regulator Of Neuroinflammation, Debolina Dipankar Biswas

Theses and Dissertations

Inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) modulate cell death and play critical role in signal transduction that promotes inflammation. Recently, Smac mimetics, which are IAP antagonists, have attracted attention as novel cancer therapeutics. Cellular Inhibitor of Apoptosis 2 (cIAP2), a member of IAP family, positively affects both NF-κB and MAPK activation in response to many inflammatory stimuli. We observed that the lack of cIAP2 ablates LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Also, cIAP2^-/- macrophages demonstrated diminished antigen presentation potential that could contribute to ablated immunity. In addition to these functions, we have previously reported that cIAP2 also regulates the activation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 …

Processing Of 3′-Blocked Dna Double-Strand Breaks By Tyrosyl-Dna Phosphodiesterase 1, Artemis And Polynucleotide Kinase/ Phosphatase, Ajinkya S. Kawale

Theses and Dissertations

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) containing unligatable termini are potent cytotoxic lesions leading to growth arrest or cell death. The Artemis nuclease and tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (TDP1) are each capable of resolving protruding 3′-phosphoglycolate (PG) termini of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Consequently, a knockout of Artemis and a knockout/knockdown of TDP1 rendered cells sensitive to the radiomimetic agent neocarzinostatin (NCS), which induces 3′-PG-terminated DSBs. Unexpectedly, however, a knockdown or knockout of TDP1 in Artemis-null cells did not confer any greater sensitivity than either deficiency alone, indicating a strict epistasis between TDP1 and Artemis. Moreover, a deficiency in Artemis, but not TDP1, resulted …

The Effect Of Nac And Carnosine On Alzheimer’S Disease-Related In Vitro Model Through Rage-Age Signaling Pathway, Suphasarang Sirirattanakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common dementia which found increasing with age. It involves neurodegeneration which leads to various abnormalities especially memory loss, inability to learn new things, lack of creativity, lack of decision making ability, lack of critical thinking, calculation inability, inability to live normal daily life, inability to recognize person, time and place, emotional disturbance, and difficulty to use language. Since AD has severe impact in various aspects on both the patients and their families, so we are interested to study the neurodegenerative mechanism when neuronal cells are under oxidative stress which will induce neuroinflammation through the …

Polyamine Accumulation And Responses Of Mango Fruit To Postharvest Polyamine Application, Bussarin Wonnabussapawich

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Mango (Mangifera indicia L.) is a popular tropical fruit which has a great value in both domestic and international markets. Mango is a climacteric fruit which ethylene production increases dramatically, thus leading to a quick ripening process and a short postharvest life. Polyamines (PAs) have been reported to be involved in fruit ripening. Changes in endogenous free polyamines accumulation were measured in two mango cultivars; ‘Nam Dok Mai No.4’ and ‘Nam Dok Mai Si Tong’. Mangoes were allowed to ripen at 25±1 ºC after harvest. It was found that ‘Nam Dok Mai No.4’ mango exhibited higher ethylene production, respiration rate, …

Functional Characterization Of Heat Shock Proteins During Stress Response In Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus Vannamei And Brine Shrimp Artemia Franciscana, Wisarut Junprung

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus carrying toxin produced plasmid (VPAHPND), has led to severe mortalities in farmed penaeid shrimp throughout Asia. Our studies demonstrated that a chronic non-lethal heat shock (chronic-NLHS) could enhance resistance of the Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei to VPAHPND infection. Shrimp exposed to chronic-NLHS (28 °C to 38 °C, 5 min for 7 days) had higher survival rate (>50%) than that of the control non-heated shrimp (20%) when they were challenged with VPAHPND. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of heat shock proteins, LvHSP70 and LvHSP90, as well …

Production And Purification Of Mannan Oligosaccharide And Its Role In Tight Junction Assembly In Epithelial Cells, Chatchai Nopvichai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Mannan Oligosaccharide (MOS) is well-known as prebiotic supplement that help increasing life quality of livestocks and animals. Many reports revealed that MOS supplement can help improve intestinal morphology, enhancing growth performance, raising body weight, and increasing metabolic and stress response. MOS feeding also affected several biological processes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in pigs and modulates expression of many immune-related genes that helps to prevent and reduce the severity of viral infection. However, the mechanism of action of MOS is remained unclear and the production, purification, identification of bioactive MOS molecular type is needed. In this study, we developed a …

Drug Resistance Mechanism Of Ns3/4a Protease And Identification Of Potent Compounds Inhibiting Reverse Transcriptase Of Hepatitis Virus, Jirayu Kammarabutr

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Viral Hepatitis has become a public health concern which caused 1.34 million deaths in 2015 and 95% of sickness and untimely deaths come from chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections. The epidemic of viral hepatitis B and C affects around 325 million people worldwide and is 10 times more than the global HIV epidemic. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is the main cause of hepatitis C, has a high mutation rate due to the lack of proofreading activity of the RNA polymerase enzyme. One of an attractive target for anti-HCV drug design and development is the NS3/4A serine protease. …

Effect Of Feedback-Resistant Arog Overexpression On L-Phenylalanine Production In Escherichia Coli, Maria Ulfah

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

L-Phenylalanine (L-Phe) is one of the most important amino acids in food and pharmaceutical industries. It is widely used as a nutritional supplement and a precursor for the synthesis of food additives. The market of L-Phe has been stimulated by increasing demand for the low-calorie sweetener, aspartame. In Escherichia coli, the key enzyme which catalyzes the first committed step of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis pathway is 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7- phosphate synthase (DAHP-synthase). The enzyme has 3 isoforms, AroG, AroF and AroH, which are feedback inhibited by L-Phe, L-Tyr and L-Trp, respectively. AroG, encoded by aroG, is the major isoform contributed about 80% …

Functional Characterization Of White Spot Syndrome Virus-Responsive Mir-750 In Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus Monodon, Nichaphat Kanoksinwuttipong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In the RNA interference (RNAi) process, small RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by acting as guides to direct Argonaute (Ago)-containing RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs) to targeted mRNAs. The Penaeus monodon miR-750 was previously reported as the highly upregulated miRNA during white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. In this study, the computational program and 2D gel electrophoresis technique were used to identify miR-750 target genes. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the predicted target mRNAs of miR-750 were ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 Q1 gene (UbcQ1), Actin1 (Act1) and Sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein (Scp). Furthermore, the alteration of protein expression in the stomach …

Identification And Functional Characterization Of Genes And Micrornas From Penaeus Vannamei In Response To Pathogens And Heat Stress, Pakpoom Boonchuen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In the present day, high-throughput (HT) sequencing techniques provide in-depth data on how the transcripts are expressed and regulated and in this case shed light on how innate immunity responds to different stimuli. Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticusproducing Pir toxin (VPAHPND) is a current severe bacterial disease in shrimp. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hepatopancreas and hemocyte of VPAHPND-challengedPenaeus vannamei. The hemocyaninand Vago5 were found as up-regulated genes in hepatopancreas and hemocyte of VPAHPND-infectedP. vannamei, respectively. Their functions in shrimp immunity against VPAHPNDinfection were then characterized. The native …

Anticancer Activity Of Mansonone G Derivatives Against Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Computational And Mechanistic Study, Panupong Mahalapbutr

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) are the key molecular targets for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to its major contribution to complex signaling cascades modulating the survival of cancer cells. In the present study, mansonone G (MG), a naturally occurring quinone-containing compound, and its semi-synthetic ether derivatives were subjected to theoretically and experimentally investigate the anticancer effects on EGFR/Topo II-mediated signaling pathways in NSCLC cell lines expressing wild-type EGFR (A549) and mutant EGFR (H1975). In vitro cytotoxicity screening results demonstrated that butoxy MG (MG3) was more susceptible to H1975 mutant cells (IC50 of …

L-Pipecolic Acid Production In Thra Knockout Escherichia Coli, Suttilak Khuanwilai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

L-pipecolic acid (L-PA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, however, it is an important precursor and a key ingredient of many pharmaceutically compound syntheses such as immunosuppressants and anesthetics. The production of amino acids via fermentation of microorganisms are getting attention, one of the widely used is an engineered E. coli. L-PA production in the engineered E. coli uses L-lysine in its cell as a substrate. This research aimed to increase L-PA production by thrA knockout. The thrA encodes homoserine dehydrogenase I, the enzyme which draws the intermediate in L-lysine biosynthesis pathway to synthesize L-threonine. The group II intron insertion was …

Effects Of Mutations Of Levansucrase From Bacillus Licheniformis Rn-01 On Levan Oligosaccharides Binding, Thassanai Sitthiyotha

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Produced by levansucrase that uses sucrose as a substrate, levan and levan oligosaccharides (GFn) have potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries such as prebiotics, anti-obesity and anti-tumor agents. Previous study reported that N251A and N251Y mutants of levansucrase from Bacillus licheniformis RN-01 could effectively produce short-chain oligosaccharides upto GF3, instead of long-chain levan synthesis. This study hypothesized that these mutations probably reduced GF3 binding affinity in the active site of levansucrase that contains fructosyl-Asp93 intermediate and caused GF3 to be in an unfavorable orientation for transfructosylation; therefore, levansucrase could not effectively extend GF3 to GF4. However, these mutations probably …

Transcriptome Of Rice Oryza Sativa L. Over-Expressing Oscam1-1 Gene And Characterization Of Salt Stress-Responsive Isocitrate Lyase Gene, Worawat Yuenyong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The previous study of OsCam1-1 showed that the transgenic KDML105 rice over-expressing OsCam1-1 was more tolerant to salt stress than the wild type, so to investigate the role of calmodulin encoded by OsCam1-1 in the salt-responsive mechanism, the transcriptome approach using RNA-seq technique was applied. Transcriptome profile of the transgenic KDML105 rice over-expressing OsCam1-1 under 4 hr of salt stresss (150 mM NaCl) revealed that several cell processes were affected; signaling, hormone-mediated regulation, transcription, secondary metabolism, stress responses, lipid metabolism, glycolysis, TCA cycle, glyoxylate cycle, photosynthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. Photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance at day 3 and 5 of …

Functional Characterization Of Inhibitor Of Kappa B Kinase In Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus Monodon Antiviral Signaling Pathway, Zittipong Nhnhkorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The IKK-NF-κB signaling cascade is one of the crucial responsive mechanisms in inflammatory and immune responses. The key kinase proteins called inhibitor of kappa B kinases (IKKs) serve as the core elements involved in cascade activation. Here, the complete open reading frames of IKK homologs including PmIKKβ, PmIKKε1 and PmIKKε2, from the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon were identified and characterized for their functions in shrimp antiviral responses. The PmIKK transcripts were widely expressed in various examined tissues and the PmIKKε protein was detected in all three types of shrimp hemocytes. Only the PmIKKε1 and PmIKKε2 were responsive to white …

Comparative Toxicology Of Nio And Ni(Oh)₂ Nanoparticles, Melissa Hope Cambre

Masters Theses

“Understanding the potential toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) is important to ensure that these new products do not impose harmful effects to human and environmental health. Paper I is a literature review in which we discuss characteristics of nanomaterials, with an emphasis on transition metal oxide nanoparticles that influence cytotoxicity. Identification of those properties may lead to the design of more efficient and safer nanosized products for various industrial purposes and provide guidance for assessment of human and environmental health risk. We then investigate biochemical and molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity that include oxidative stress-induced cellular events and alteration of the pathways …

Assembly And Trafficking Of The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator And Associated Proteins, Zhihui Zhang

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that leads to severe malfunction in many organs, but particularly the lungs. The primary cause of this malfunction is the decrease of the airway surface liquid layer on the lung epithelium. The lack of hydration leads to mucus build up on the epithelial lining, leading to blockage of airways. The underlying cause of CF is the dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which results from mutations in the protein. Almost 90% of CF patients are caused by the deletion of the phenylalanine at position 508 of CFTR, which …

Evaluation Of Ispe For Inhibitor Design In The Non-Mevalonate Pathway, Kataryzna Barbara Hoerchler

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

There is an urgent need to discover new antibiotics to combat the emergence of drug resistant Novel antibiotics that target unique pathways different from existing therapies are promising targets. The non-mevalonate pathway (MEP), which was discovered in the 1990’s, is essential for most bacteria, plants and apicomplexan parasites. Inhibition of the non-mevalonate is an attractive pharmaceutical target, since it is not present in mammals. Many compounds have surfaced as potential inhibitors, but none have made it to market. This thesis investigates the fourth step in the MEP pathway involving the enzyme 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase (IspE) from Escherichia coli (Ec), Burkholderia thailandensis …

Understanding Carbohydrate Recognition Mechanisms In Non-Catalytic Proteins Through Molecular Simulations, Abhishek A. Kognole

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Non-catalytic protein-carbohydrate interactions are an essential element of various biological events. This dissertation presents the work on understanding carbohydrate recognition mechanisms and their physical significance in two groups of non-catalytic proteins, also called lectins, which play key roles in major applications such as cellulosic biofuel production and drug delivery pathways. A computational approach using molecular modeling, molecular dynamic simulations and free energy calculations was used to study molecular-level protein-carbohydrate and protein-protein interactions. Various microorganisms like bacteria and fungi secret multi-modular enzymes to deconstruct cellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. The carbohydrate binding modules (CBM) are non-catalytic domains of such enzymes that …

Protein Engineering In The Study Of Protein Labeling And Degradation, Xinyi Zhang

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Proteins are large macromolecules that play important roles in nature. With the development of modern molecular biology techniques, protein engineering has emerged as a useful tool and found many applications in areas ranging from food industry, environmental protection, to medical and life science. Biomimetic membrane incorporates biological elements, such as proteins, to form membranes that mimic the high specificity and conductance of natural biological membranes. For any application involving the usage of proteins, the first barrier is always the production of proteins with sufficient stability, and the incorporation of proteins into the artificial matrix. This thesis contains two major parts, …

Applications Of Cell-Derived Vesicles: From Single Molecule Studies To Drug Delivery, Faruk H. Moonschi

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Single molecule studies can provide information of biological molecules which otherwise is lost in ensemble studies. A wide variety of fluorescence-based techniques are utilized for single molecule studies. While these tools have been widely applied for imaging soluble proteins, single molecule studies of transmembrane proteins are much more complicated. A primary reason for this is that, unlike membrane proteins, soluble proteins can be easily isolated from the cellular environment. One approach to isolate membrane proteins into single molecule level involves a very low label expression of the protein in cells. However, cells generate background fluorescence leading to a very low …

Protein Suppression Of Flavin Semiquinone As A Mechanistically Important Control Of Reactivity: A Study Comparing Flavoenzymes Which Differ In Redox Properties, Substrates, And Ability To Bifurcate Electrons, John Patrick Hoben

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

A growing number of flavoprotein systems have been observed to bifurcate pairs of electrons. Flavin-based electron bifurcation (FBEB) results in products with greater reducing power than that of the reactants with less reducing power. Highly reducing electrons at low reduction midpoint potential are required for life processes of both aerobic and anaerobic metabolic processes. For electron bifurcation to function, the semiquinone (SQ) redox intermediate needs to be destabilized in the protein to suppress its ability to trap electrons. This dissertation examines SQ suppression across a number of flavin systems for the purpose of better understanding the nature of SQ suppression …

The Rtfa Gene Regulates Plant And Animal Pathogenesis And Secondary Metabolism In Aspergillus Flavus, Jessica Michelle Lohmar

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic fungal plant and human pathogen and producer of mycotoxins including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). As part of our ongoing studies to elucidate biological functions of the A. flavus rtfA gene, we examined its role in pathogenicity of both plant and animal model systems. rtfA encodes a putative RNA-Pol II transcription elongation factor, previously characterized in Saccharomycese cerevisiae, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, where it was shown to regulate several important cellular processes, including morphogenesis, secondary metabolism. In addition, an initial study in A. flavus indicated that rtfA also influences development and production of AFB1, however its effect …

Study Of The Mechanism Of Action For Ru(Ii) Polypyridyl Complexes As Potential Anticancer Agents, Yang Sun

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Application of chemotherapeutic agents in current cancer treatment has been limited by adverse effects as poor selectivity results in systemic toxicity; most chemotherapy approaches also experience inherited or acquired drug resistance which lead to reduced treatment outcome. Research efforts have focused on the discovery of novel chemotherapies that overcome the limitations mentioned above. Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes with anti-cancer properties have been extensively studied as traditional cytotoxic agents and photodynamic therapy agents due to their photophysical and photochemical characteristics.

Most research has focused on the design of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes that have affinities to nucleic acids as inspired by the classic …

Characterizing The Requirement Of The Cmi/Trr Compass-Like Complex During Drosophila Development, Timothy Nickels

Master's Theses

The MLR family of COMPASS-like complexes are histone methyltransferase complexes that are associated with the activation of gene enhancers. In D. melanogaster, Cara mitad (Cmi, also known as Lpt) and Trithorax related (Trr) are central subunits of a complex orthologous to mammalian Lysine methyltransferase 2 C and D (KMT2C and KMT2D, also known as MLL3 and MLL2/4) that catalyze H3K4 monomethylation. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutations in these genes are associated with cancer and developmental disorders, but the mechanisms by which these alterations contribute to disease states are unknown. The Cmi-containing COMPASS-like complex and orthologous vertebrate complexes have been …

Steroid-Coa Ligases, Fadd17a1 And Fadd19a1, And Their Role In Cholesterol Side-Chain Degradation In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Johnathan Salim Abou-Fadel

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a serious health issue arising from the increasing incidence of multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) strains that are becoming more prevalent in high-risk countries, especially here in the Texas/Mexico border. Confirmed cases and outbreaks in schools and hospitals are more frequent in this region due to the high-volume pedestrian traffic between the two cities, and the lack of a modernized health system in Mexico. Identification of new Mtb metabolic pathways for development of novel antitubercular drugs is urgently needed. The goal of this current work investigates two Mtb fatty acyl-CoA ligase enzymes' (FadD17A1 and FadD19A1) to explore whether …