Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Probing Molecular Mechanisms Of The Hsp90 Chaperone: Biophysical Modeling Identifies Key Regulators Of Functional Dynamics, Anshuman Dixit, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Deciphering functional mechanisms of the Hsp90 chaperone machinery is an important objective in cancer biology aiming to facilitate discovery of targeted anti-cancer therapies. Despite significant advances in understanding structure and function of molecular chaperones, organizing molecular principles that control the relationship between conformational diversity and functional mechanisms of the Hsp90 activity lack a sufficient quantitative characterization. We combined molecular dynamics simulations, principal component analysis, the energy landscape model and structure-functional analysis of Hsp90 regulatory interactions to systematically investigate functional dynamics of the molecular chaperone. This approach has identified a network of conserved regions common to the Hsp90 chaperones that could …

The Effect Of Exercise On Endothelin And Endothelin Receptor Levels In Shr And Wky Male And Female Rats, Lacey Stiller

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The role of exercise as a means to modulate renal function in hypertension is unclear. However, prior studies in the laboratory of Dr. Penny Knoblich indicate that exercised female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats excrete significantly more sodium in response to a rise in blood pressure relative to exercised male and sedentary female SHR and WKY rats. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise on endothelin and endothelin receptor levels in the urine and kidneys of male and female SHR and WKY rats, to elucidate potential mechanisms to explain an increase …

Transient Features In Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields Differentially Modulate Mitochondria And Viability, Stephen J. Beebe, Yeong-Jer Chen, Nova M. Sain, Karl H. Schoenbach, Shu Xiao

Bioelectrics Publications

It is hypothesized that high frequency components of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs), determined by transient pulse features, are important for maximizing electric field interactions with intracellular structures. For monopolar square wave pulses, these transient features are determined by the rapid rise and fall of the pulsed electric fields. To determine effects on mitochondria membranes and plasma membranes, N1-S1 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were exposed to single 600 ns pulses with varying electric fields (0-80 kV/cm) and short (15 ns) or long (150 ns) rise and fall times. Plasma membrane effects were evaluated using Fluo-4 to determine calcium influx, the only …

Cutaneous Papilloma And Squamous Cell Carcinoma Therapy Utilizing Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields (Nspef), Dong Yin, Wangrong G. Yang, Jack Weissberg, Catherine B. Goff, Weikai Chen, Yoshio Kuwayama, Amanda Leiter, Hongtao Xing, Antonie Meixel, Daria Gaut, Fikret Kirkbir, David Sawcer, P. Thomas Vernier, Jonathan W. Said, Martin A. Gundersen, H. Phillip Koeffler

Bioelectrics Publications

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) induce apoptotic pathways in human cancer cells. The potential therapeutic effective of nsPEF has been reported in cell lines and in xenograft animal tumor model. The present study investigated the ability of nsPEF to cause cancer cell death in vivo using carcinogen-induced animal tumor model, and the pulse duration of nsPEF was only 7 and 14 nano second (ns). An nsPEF generator as a prototype medical device was used in our studies, which is capable of delivering 7-30 nanosecond pulses at various programmable amplitudes and frequencies. Seven cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and five …

A Preliminary Study On The Potential Of Manuka Honey And Platelet-Rich Plasma In Wound Healing, Scott A. Sell, Patricia S. Wolfe, Andrew J. Spence, Isaac A. Rodriguez, Jennifer M. Mccoll, Rebecca L. Petrella, Koyal Garg, Jeffery J. Ericksen, Gary L. Bowlin

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Aim. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vitro response of cells critical to the wound healing process in culture media supplemented with a lyophilized preparation rich in growth factors (PRGF) and Manuka honey. Materials and Methods. This study utilized cell culture media supplemented with PRGF, as well as whole Manuka honey and the medical-grade Medihoney (MH), a Manuka honey product. The response of human fibroblasts (hDF), macrophages, and endothelial cells (hPMEC) was evaluated, with respect to cell proliferation, chemotaxis, collagen matrix production, and angiogenic potential, when subjected to culture with media containing PRGF, MH, Manuka honey, …

Comparative Developmental Transcriptomics Of Echinoderms, Roy Vaughn

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The gastrula stage represents the point in development at which the three primary germ layers diverge. At this point the gene regulatory networks that specify the germ layers are established and the genes that define the differentiated states of the tissues have begun to be activated. These networks have been well characterized in sea urchins, but not in other echinoderms. Embryos of the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii share a number of developmental features with sea urchin embryos, including the ingression of mesenchyme cells that give rise to an embryonic skeleton. Notable differences are that no micromeres are formed during cleavage …

Lenalidomide Targets The T-Cell Co-Stimulatory Pathway To Mediate Immune Modulation, Jessica Marie Mcdaniel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

T-cells are lymphocytes that make up part of the adaptive arm of the immune system, and are essential for efficient protection from and eradication of viruses and pathogens. T-cells not only play an important role in protection from external agents, but also regulate and prevent activation towards self-peptides and detect and remove erratically growing cells. Alterations in T-cell activation and suppression contribute to auto-immunity, immunocompromised disorders, and cancer progression.

The immune system, and T-cells in particular, provides daily surveillance, recognition and destruction of aberrant cells. Although the immune system is proficient at suppressing malignant progression, tumor cells acquire various methods …

Toward A Functional Characterization Of The Acidic-Domain Of The Chloroplast Protein Import Receptor Toc159, Joseph K. Weston

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Chloroplasts are members of a diverse class of organelles called plastids that differentiate plants from other eukaryotes, and are the site of a number of essential biochemical pathways including photosynthesis. Nuclear-encoded pre-proteins, which account for ~95% of chloroplast proteins, are post-translationally imported into plastids across the double envelope membrane. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the majority of pre-proteins are imported via the Toc (translocon at outer envelope membrane of chloroplasts) and Tic (translocon at inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts) complexes, the key components of which have been identified. The Toc159 …

In Vitro Study Of The Microsporidian Parasite Loma Morhua, Using Cod-Derived Cells And Novel Culture Techniques, Michael J. Macleod

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The cod populations of the Canadian Atlantic were once highly productive, generating enormous annual harvests and attracting fishing fleets from many nations. However, through the late 1980s improved fishing technology, unprecedented capture rates, and poor fishery management brought wild stocks beyond the point of collapse. Dwindling harvests in the early 1990s resulted in cod fishing moratoriums, and an end to the productivity for which the fishery was once renowned. Atlantic cod remains a popular food worldwide and the collapse of cod fisheries has done little to abate market demands. Consequently, the cod is considered a prime candidate for aquaculture production, …

Use Of Two-Dimensional Agarose-Gel Analysis To Characterize Processing Of Uv-Irradiated Plasmids And The Composition Of The Replisome Following Uv-Induced Arrest, Harout Arthur Jeiranian

Dissertations and Theses

In this thesis, I address two fundamental questions related to our understanding of how DNA damage is processed and repaired during replication. Using Two-dimensional (2-D) agarose gel analysis, I first examine whether DNA damage on plasmids introduced by transformation is processed in a manner similar to that observed on endogenously replicating plasmids and the chromosome. The original intent for using this approach was to develop a technique that could examine how different DNA adducts would be repaired in various sequence contexts. However, I found that distinct differences exist between the processing of DNA damage on transforming plasmids and the chromosome. …

Metabolic Support Of Anaerobiosis In Embryos Of The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Andrew Mccracken

Dissertations and Theses

Embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus display a remarkable tolerance to anoxia during development, most notably during embryonic diapause. Little is known about the metabolic or enzymatic changes that accompany this state of anoxia tolerance. This study examined the metabolic changes associated with exposure to anoxia by measuring the activity of the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and by profiling the concentration of 31 metabolites ranging from amino acids to citric cycle intermediates at 4 different developmental stages, diapause 2 (DII), 4 days post diapause (dpd), 12 and 22 dpd. Embryos of A. limnaeus showed stage specific changes in concentrations …

The Effects Of Hypoxia And Temperature On Developing Embryos Of The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Skye N. Anderson

Dissertations and Theses

Little is known about the physiology or biochemistry of hypoxia (reduced levels of oxygen) tolerance during development in vertebrate embryos. In most species, relatively brief bouts of severe hypoxia are lethal or teratogenic. An exception to such hypoxia intolerance is the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus, in which populations persist in hypoxic environments. This species inhabits seasonal ponds in Venezuela, surviving through the dry season in the form of diapausing embryos. Embedded in the pond sediment, embryos of A. limnaeus are routinely exposed to hypoxia and anoxia (lack of oxygen) as part of their normal development. Here, we exposed embryos to …

Pulling Back The Veil On Stem Cell Research: The Generation Of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells As An Alternative To Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Sara Ternes

Honors Program Theses

Stem cell research has captured the imagination of many in society, and although it holds hope for repairing the human body, curing disease, and alleviating human suffering, the effects of this pioneering technology present profound ethical and legal implications. While a general consensus exists that the use of adult stem cells is ethically and morally just, embryonic stem (ES) cell research has generated significant debate in both the scientific and legal communities. Decades of legislation and policymaking have led to the creation of a set of human subject research principles that are now well recognized and rooted in the inherent …

The Role Of Nucleotide Excision Repair In Restoring Replication Following Uv-Induced Damage In Escherichia Coli, Kelley Nicole Newton

Dissertations and Theses

Following low levels of UV exposure, Escherichia coli cells deficient in nucleotide excision repair recover and synthesize DNA at near wild type levels, an observation that formed the basis of the post replication recombination repair model. In this study, we characterized the DNA synthesis that occurs following UV-irradiation in the absence of nucleotide excision repair and show that although this synthesis resumes at near wild type levels, it is coincident with a high degree of cell death. We confirm that the replication occurring under these conditions involves extensive levels of strand exchange. However, cells undergoing this form of replication accumulate …