Biochemistry Commons^™

Characterization Of The Function And Regulation Of The Hmpv Phosphoprotein, Rachel Thompson

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a non-segmented, negative strand RNA virus (NNSV) that frequently causes respiratory tract infections in infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. Despite the initial identification of HMPV in 2001, there are currently no FDA approved antivirals or vaccines available. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of HMPV replication is critical for the identification of novel therapeutic targets. A key feature in the replication cycle of HMPV and other NNSVs is the formation of membrane-less, liquid-like replication and transcription centers in the cytosol termed inclusion bodies (IBs). Recent work on NNSV IBs suggests they display characteristics of biomolecular condensates formed …

Deciphering The Ck2-Dependent Phosphoproteome And Its Integration With Regulatory Ptm Networks, Teresa Nunez De Villavicencio Diaz

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Protein functions are regulated by the post-translational addition of covalent modifications on certain amino acids. Depending on their distance within the 3-dimensional structure, addition/removal of individual post translational modifications (PTMs) can be impacted by others. This PTM interplay constitutes an essential regulatory mechanism that interconnects the molecular networks in the cell. Protein CK2, a clinically relevant acidophilic Ser/Thr kinase, may be responsible for 10-20% of the human phosphoproteome. Such estimates agree with the number of known substrates, which continues to expand. Furthermore, the demonstration that CK2 participates in hierarchical phosphorylation and has similar sequence determinants to caspases suggest extensive PTM …

Defining The Role Of Tyrosine Phosphorylation In The Regulation Of Connexin43 In Cardiac Diseases, Li Zheng

Theses & Dissertations

Connexins are integral membrane proteins that oligomerize to form gap junction channels. Ions and small molecules diffuse intercellularly through these channels, allowing individual cellular events to synchronize into the functional response of an entire organ. Gap junction channels composed of Connexin43 (Cx43) mediate electrical coupling and impulse propagation in the normal working myocardium. In the failing heart, Cx43 remodeling (decreased expression, altered phosphorylation state, loss at intercalated discs, and increased presence at lateral membranes) contributes to rhythm disturbances and contractile dysfunction. While there is considerable information regarding key interactions of Cx43 in the regulation of gap junction channels, unfortunately, the …

A Novel Switch-Like Function Of Delta-Catenin In Dendrite Development, Ryan Baumert

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

The formation of neuronal networks in the brain is tightly regulated, and dependent on the morphology of dendrites, the branch-like signal-receiving structures extending from neurons. Disruptions in dendrite development, or dendritogenesis, can lead to the atypical neuronal connectivity associated with multiple neurodevelopmental diseases. My research addresses molecular processes that underlie dendritogenesis via analysis of a pair of novel interactions involving the protein delta-catenin.

In neurons, delta-catenin localizes to dendrites and synapses, where it functions in their development and maintenance. Structurally, delta-catenin possesses a central Armadillo domain and a C-terminal PDZ-binding motif. This motif associates with PDZ domain-containing proteins, and is …

Myxobacteria Versus Sponge-Derived Alkaloids: The Bengamide Family Identified As Potent Immune Modulating Agents By Scrutiny Of Lc-Ms/Elsd Libraries., Tyler A. Johnson, Johann Sohn, Yvette M Vaske, Kimberly N White, Tanya L Cohen, Helene C Vervoort, Karen Tenney, Frederick A Valeriote, Leonard F Bjeldanes, Phillip Crews

Tyler Johnson

A nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) luciferase assay has been employed to identify the bengamides, previously known for their anti-tumor activity, as a new class of immune modulators. A unique element of this study was that the bengamide analogs were isolated from two disparate sources, Myxococcus virescens (bacterium) and Jaspis coriacea (sponge). Comparative LC-MS/ELSD and NMR analysis facilitated the isolation of M. viriscens derived samples of bengamide E (8) and two congeners, bengamide E' (13) and F' (14) each isolated as an insperable mixture of diastereomers. Additional compounds drawn from the UC, Santa Cruz repository allowed expansion of the structure activity relationship …

Myxobacteria Versus Sponge-Derived Alkaloids: The Bengamide Family Identified As Potent Immune Modulating Agents By Scrutiny Of Lc-Ms/Elsd Libraries., Tyler A. Johnson, Johann Sohn, Yvette M. Vaske, Kimberly N. White, Tanya L. Cohen, Helene C. Vervoort, Karen Tenney, Frederick A. Valeriote, Leonard F. Bjeldanes, Phillip Crews

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Faculty Scholarship

A nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) luciferase assay has been employed to identify the bengamides, previously known for their anti-tumor activity, as a new class of immune modulators. A unique element of this study was that the bengamide analogs were isolated from two disparate sources, Myxococcus virescens (bacterium) and Jaspis coriacea (sponge). Comparative LC-MS/ELSD and NMR analysis facilitated the isolation of M. viriscens derived samples of bengamide E (8) and two congeners, bengamide E' (13) and F' (14) each isolated as an insperable mixture of diastereomers. Additional compounds drawn from the UC, Santa Cruz repository allowed expansion of the structure activity relationship …