Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

Rna Base-Amino Acid Interaction Strengths Derived From Structures And Sequences, Brooke Lustig, S Arora, R L. Jernigan

Faculty Publications, Chemistry

We investigate RNA base-amino acid interactions by counting their contacts in structures and their implicit contacts in various functional sequences where the structures can be assumed to be preserved. These frequencies are cast into equations to extract relative interaction energetics. Previously we used this approach in considering the major groove interactions of DNA, and here we apply it to the more diverse interactions observed in RNA. Structures considered are the three different tRNA synthetase complexes, the U1A spliceosomal protein with an RNA hairpin and the BIV TARTat complex. We use binding data for the base frequencies for the seryl, aspartyl …

Diet And Growth Of Larval And Juvenile Grass Pickerel, Esox Americanus Vermiculatus, And Central Mudminnow, Umbra Limi, In The Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Cabell County, West Virginia, Erica Midkiff

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The grass pickerel, Esox americanus vermiculatus, is listed as Undetermined on the Vertebrate Species List of Concern in West Virginia. The central mudminnow, Umbra limi, is a disjunct population in Green Bottom Swamp. The lentic, vegetated areas that are required for spawning for the grass pickerel and the central mudminnow have been reduced by residential, agricultural, and industrial developments. Green Bottom Swamp, a naturally occurring wetland of 58 ha, and a nearby mitigated wetland of 29 ha, provides spawning habitat for the grass pickerel and the mudminnow. Fishes were collected in beds of Potamogetan crispus and Ceratophyllum demursum …

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 …

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 …

An Immunomodulating Mycotoxin Interferes With The Development Of Autoimmune Diabetes In Diabetes-Prone Bb/Wor Rats, Honggang Liu

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Various fungal products have immunomodulating activity and some have been studied regarding prevention of transplantation rejection. Prior to this investigation, the mycotoxin, gliotoxin (GT), has never been investigated as an immunotherapeutic drug for autoimmune disease. GT is a fungal secondary metabolite and a member of the epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) family which has been shown to inhibit phagocytosis, induction of cytolytic T cells and the proliferation of T cells following mitogen stimulation. GT also induces in vitro apoptosis in certain immune cell types. More importantly, GT exhibits selective activity towards cells of hemopoietic origin.

Autoimmune diseases are disorders caused by immune responses …

The Regulation Of Glucose Transport In Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells By Angiotensin Ii And Glucose, Leslie Ann Quinn

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Glucose transport was assessed in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells by measuring the uptake of a radiolabeled non-metabolizable glucose analog, [3H]-2-deoxglucose. VSM cells, isolated from rat aortae by enzymatic digestion, were maintained in culture in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with 10% newborn calf serum at 37°C with 5% CO2 and air. Angiotensin II (AU) increased glucose transport by 84%. Significant stimulation occurred by two hours of exposure with the maximum effect being observed between six and eight hours. All effects were concentration dependent with a threshold response being detected at 0.1 nM. All-stimulated transport was blocked by an AU …

Regulation Of The Expression Of Hmn-Sod At The Level Of The Mitochondrial Processing Of Precursor Hmn-Sod, Gary Leslie Wright

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The mitochondrion imports and processes the vast majority of the proteins which comprise its structural elements and metabolic pathways. Studies in the last decade have been successful at defining the mechanism and protein machinery responsible for recognizing, importing, and processing cytosolic precursor proteins into the mature mitochondrial proteins. Little is known, however, about physiological factors which might influence or compromise mitochondrial protein processing. The objective of this work was to develop a novel approach to study mitochondrial import and assembly of precursor proteins as a process within the context of the cellular environment. To these ends we employed the baculovirus …

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, …

Exercise The Power Of The Purse With Hussein, Porcher L. Taylor Iii

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

In the same shrewd diplomatic spirit displayed by the Pentagon in its recent purchase of a squadron of MIG-29 fighter jets from Moldova in order to preempt the sale of the planes to Iran, the U.S. should offer to buy Iraq's entire biochemical weapons arsenal and then destroy it in place. Let's call this emerging instrument of U.S. foreign policy "preemptive economic diplomacy."

Description Of Tadpoles Of Three Species Of Scinax (Anura: Hylidae), Rafael O. De Sá, Rocjard Wassersig, Arturo I. Kehr

Biology Faculty Publications

Larval morphological characteristics have been used to cluster species of Scinax in seven species groups and to support the monophyly of some of these groups. However, our present knowledge of Scinax tadpoles is incomplete; currently, tadpoles of only 21 of the approximately 80 recognized species have been described. Herein, we describe and illustrate the external morphology and oral disc characteristics of larval Scinax berthae, S. nebulosa, and S. boesemani. The presence of a "labial arm" supporting the P3 tooth row in S. boesemani, and its absence from S. nebulosa, is discussed in the light of our limited knowledge of tadpoles …

Nerve Tissue-Specific Human Glutamate Dehydrogenase That Is Thermolabile And Highly Regulated By Adp / P. Shashidharan, Donald D. Clarke, Naveed Ahmed, Nicholas Moschonas, And Andreas Plaitakis Department Of Neurology, Mount Sinai School Of Medicine, New York; Department Of Chemistry, Fordham University, Bronx New York, Usa; And Department Of Biology And School Of Health Sciences, University Of Crete, Crete, Greece, P. Shashidharan, Donald Dudley Clarke Phd, Naveed Ahmed, Nicholas Moschonas

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), an enzyme that is central to the metabolism of glutamate, is present at high levels in the mammalian brain. Studies on human leukocytes and rat brain suggested the presence of two GDH activities differing in thermal stability and allosteric regulation, but molecular biological investigations led to the cloning of two human GDH-specific genes encoding highly homologous polypeptides. The first gene, designated GLUD1, is expressed in all tissues (housekeeping GDH), whereas the second gene, designated GLUD2, is expressed specifically in neural and testicular tissues. In this study, we obtained both GDH isoenzymes in pure form by expressing a …

Molecular Cloning And Analysis Of The Promoter For Rat Hepatic Neutral Cholesterol Ester Hydrolase, Ramesh Natarajan

Theses and Dissertations

Neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase (CEH) is a key enzyme in regulating hepatic free cholesterol. Using the CEH specific cDNA sequence in the 5'-untranslated region as a primer, 1.3 kb of sequence upstream of the ATG initiation codon was amplified and cloned. Primer extension analysis with total RNA from rat primary hepatocytes identified a transcription initiation site, 60 bases upstream from the initiation codon. No typical TATA-box sequences were found upstream from the transcription start site. However, a consensus GC-box, which can bind the positive transcription factor SP1, was found 35 bases upstream from the transcription start site. In addition the …

Phosphorylation Within The Amino-Terminal Acidic Domain I Of The Phosphoprotein Of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Is Required For Transcription But Not For Replication, Asit K. Pattnaik, Leroy Hwang, Tong Le, Nathan Englund, Manjula Mathur, Tapas Das, Amiya Banerjee

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Phosphorylation by casein kinase II at three specific residues (S-60, T-62, and S-64) within the acidic domain I of the P protein of Indiana serotype vesicular stomatitis virus has been shown to be critical for in vitro transcription activity of the viral RNA polymerase (P-L) complex. To examine the role of phosphorylation of P protein in transcription as well as replication in vivo, we used a panel of mutant P proteins in which the phosphate acceptor sites in domain I were substituted with alanines or other amino acids. Analyses of the alanine-substituted mutant P proteins for the ability to support …

The Measurement Of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme In Human Serum, Andrew P. Kenny

Theses

The measurement of angiotensin converting enzyme using the substrate FAPGG was investigated with a view to optimising its performance. It was found that a 100 mnol/l triethanolamine-HCl buffer gave a significantly higher absorbance change then the existing TRIS-HCl in the method. As this buffer has not been previously described in the measurement of ACE it was decided to introduce this buffer into a kinetic procedure and evaluate the modified method. The reference interval for the triethanolamine Method was determined by measuring the ACE activity on 200 serum from blood donors and a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the SACE activity of male and female donors was observed.

The modified method was found …

Robert J. Boxer Papers, Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections

Finding Aids

This collection consists of various drafts and the finished manuscript of Robert J. Boxer's 1997 textbook, Essentials of Organic Chemistry. Materials span 1988- 1997 and also include correspondence with publishers, including contracts.

Find this collection in the University Libraries' catalog.

Rna Base-Amino Acid Interaction Strengths Derived From Structures And Sequences, Brooke Lustig, S Arora, R L. Jernigan

Brooke S. Lustig

We investigate RNA base-amino acid interactions by counting their contacts in structures and their implicit contacts in various functional sequences where the structures can be assumed to be preserved. These frequencies are cast into equations to extract relative interaction energetics. Previously we used this approach in considering the major groove interactions of DNA, and here we apply it to the more diverse interactions observed in RNA. Structures considered are the three different tRNA synthetase complexes, the U1A spliceosomal protein with an RNA hairpin and the BIV TARTat complex. We use binding data for the base frequencies for the seryl, aspartyl …

Complexes Between Nascent Polypeptides And Their Molecular Chaperones In The Cytosol Of Mammalian Cells, Daryl K. Eggers, W. J. Welch, W. J. Hansen

Daryl K. Eggers

Folding of newly synthesized proteins in vivo is believed to be facilitated by the cooperative interaction of a defined group of proteins known as molecular chaperones. We investigated the direct interaction of chaperones with nascent polypeptides in the cytosol of mammalian cells by multiple methods. A new approach using a polyclonal antibody to puromycin allowed us to tag and capture a population of truncated nascent polypeptides with no bias as to the identity of the bound chaperones. In addition, antibodies that recognize the cytosolic chaperones hsp70, CCT (TRiC), hsp40, p48 (Hip), and hsp90 were compared on the basis of their …

A Study Of Biochemical And Haematological Variables With Performance In Showjumping Horses, Darren B. Simmons

Theses : Honours

This honours project examined the biochemical and haematological changes induced by exercise in the showjumping horse to determine whether a relationship exists between these values and performance. To complete this study 7 geldings and 1 stallion who were considered competition fit by their trainers were subjected to 2 forms of exercise. The first phase of this study involved an incremental exercise test performed at the Byford City Council horse training facility. The horses were cantered/galloped around a 1300m all weather training track at velocities of 6, 8, 10, and 12 m/sec for a duration of 2 minutes for each workload. …

Complexes Between Nascent Polypeptides And Their Molecular Chaperones In The Cytosol Of Mammalian Cells, Daryl K. Eggers, W. J. Welch, W. J. Hansen

Faculty Publications, Chemistry

Folding of newly synthesized proteins in vivo is believed to be facilitated by the cooperative interaction of a defined group of proteins known as molecular chaperones. We investigated the direct interaction of chaperones with nascent polypeptides in the cytosol of mammalian cells by multiple methods. A new approach using a polyclonal antibody to puromycin allowed us to tag and capture a population of truncated nascent polypeptides with no bias as to the identity of the bound chaperones. In addition, antibodies that recognize the cytosolic chaperones hsp70, CCT (TRiC), hsp40, p48 (Hip), and hsp90 were compared on the basis of their …

The Drosophila Melanogaster Rad54 Homolog, Dmrad54, Is Involved In The Repair Of Radiation Damage And Recombination, Rolf Kooistra, José B. M. Zonneveld, Anja De Jong, Jan C. J. Eeken, Chris J. Osgood, Jean-Marie Buerstedde, Paul H. M. Lohman, Albert Pastink

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The RAD54 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a crucial role in recombinational repair of double-strand breaks in DNA. Here the isolation and functional characterization of the RAD54 homolog of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, DmRAD54, are described. The putative Dmrad54 protein displays 46 to 57% identity to its homologs from yeast and mammals. DmRAD54 RNA was detected at all stages of fly development, but an increased level was observed in early embryos and ovarian tissue. To determine the function of DmRAD54, a null mutant was isolated by random mutagenesis. DmRAD54-deficient flies develop normally, but the females …

Small Miracles: Propagation Efforts Using Plants In The Family Hamamelidaceae, Martha Sasser Joiner

Legacy ETDs

Attempts were made to propagate five species in the family Hamamelidaceae by softwood cuttings or seeds. Local populations of witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana L. and sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua L. supplied cuttings and seeds of these native American species. Cultivated plants of dwarf witch-alder Fothergilla gardenii Murray were used initially for cuttings. Later, three native populations of this species were located and cuttings were obtained from them. Also, for seed propagation studies, seeds of F. gardenii were obtained from the North Carolina Botanical Garden and seeds were obtained from cultivated plants of two Asian species, winter hazel Corylopsis sinensis Hemsley and Chinese …

Choline Acetyltransferase And Carnitine Acetyltransferase Activity In Human Spermatozoa During Capacitation, Lisa A. Eccles

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

The regional distribution of ChAT activity in human spermatozoa is altered during in vitro capacitation and it correlates with the fertilizing potential of sperm.

Regional immunoreactivity in human spermatozoa as assessed by fluorescent immunocytochemistry was compared with ChAT and CaAT activity determined by enzymatic methodologies. Increasing proportions of sperm exhibited ChAT immunoreactivity along the equatorial region with a concomitant decrease in ChAT reactivity in the midpiece. Also, competitive studies with unlabeled ChAT blocked the equatorial region labeling; the unlabeled CaAT blocked staining along the midpiece region of the tail, suggesting some cross-reactivity of the ChAT antiserum with the CaAT enzyme. …

Abnormalities In Post-Translational Processing Of Platelet Rap 1b In Niddm: A Possible Cause Of Platelet Hyperactivity And Cardiovascular Disease In Diabetes, Elizabeth Ann Hall

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Post-translational processing is critical for the appropriate subcellular localization and function of platelet G-proteins. The majority of the platelet responses to agonists are mediated through specific receptor/G-protein complexes. Therefore, G-protein activity is central to "normal" platelet activity (i.e. aggregation). We have shown that Simvastatin, the in vivo inhibitor of HMG CoA Reductase and therefore isoprenoid synthesis, inhibits the post-translational processing of specific platelet G-proteins and alters platelet responses to agonists. These results show the importance of post-translational processing of G-proteins to platelet activity. Altered post-translational processing of specific G-proteins may explain platelet hyperactivity and the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease …

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

Legacy ETDs

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 …

Nest Box Use, Reproductive Success, And Nestling Growth Of American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius) Nesting Along The Coastal Plain Of Georgia, Walter Roy Shuford

Legacy ETDs

In an attempt to increase breeding populations of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in Georgia, 402 nest boxes were erected in the Coastal Plain of Georgia beginning in 1994 through the spring of 1996. Nest box occupancy averaged 8% in 1996 and 9.7% in 1997, two fold the average in 1995. Occupancy at Fort Gordon military base averaged 27.5% (28 of 102) in 1996 and 29 4% (30 of 102) in 1997 Nest box use in all other areas averaged 13% (4 of 300) in 1996 and increased to 3% (9 of 300) in 1997. Clutch sizes for nests …

The Role Of Molecular Recognition In Activation And Regulation In The Growth Hormone-Prolactin Family Of Hormones And Receptors, Anthony Kossiakoff, Celia Schiffer, Abraham De Vos

Celia A. Schiffer

In: Rick L. Ornstein, Biomacromolecules--from 3-D to applications: Thirty-fourth Hanford Symposium on Health and the Environment, October 23-26, 1995, Pasco, Washington, U.S.A. Battelle Press, 1997, p. 123-131. ISBN 1574770195, 9781574770193.

Involvement Of The Ras-Like Gtpase Rab3d In Rbl-2h3 Mast Cell Exocytosis Following Stimulation Via High Affinity Ige Receptors (Fcεri), Michele Roa, Fabienne Paumet, Joelle Le Mao, Bernard David, Ulrich Blank

Fabienne Paumet

No abstract provided.

Specificity And Cellular Mechanism Of Lysophosphatidylcholine Stimulation Of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth., Yuh-Cherng Chai, David Binion, Guy Chisolm

Yuh-Cherng Chai

No abstract provided.

Time-Averaging Crystallographic Refinement, Celia Schiffer

Celia A. Schiffer

In: Wilfred F. van Gunsteren and Paul K. Weiner, Computer Simulation of Biomolecular Systems: Theoretical and Experimental Applications (Volume 3 of Computer Simulation of Biomolecular Systems), Springer, 1997, p. 265-269. ISBN 9072199251, 9789072199256.

Full text of chapter is available through Google Book Search limited preview: Google Book Search description

The Pax-5 Gene Is Alternatively Spliced During B-Cell Development, Patty Zwollo, Hector Arrieta, Kaleo Ede, Karen Molinder, Stephen Desiderio, Roberta Pollock

Roberta Pollock

The transcription factor Pax-5 is expressed during the early stages of B-cell differentiation and influences the expression of several B-cell-specific genes. In addition to the existing isoform (Pax-5, which we have named Pax-5a), we have isolated three new isoforms, Pax-5b, Pax-5d, and Pax-5e, from murine spleen and B-lymphoid cell lines using library screenings and polymerase chain reaction amplification. Isoforms Pax-5b and Pax-5e have spliced out their second exon, resulting in proteins with only a partial DNA-binding domain. Isoforms Pax-5d and Pax-5e have deleted the 3′-region, which encodes the transactivating domain, and replaced it with a novel sequence. The existence of …