Cell Biology Commons^™

Impact Of S-Phase Kinase Protien 2 Blockades On Hematopoetic Stem Cell Metabolism, Nicole Elmaraghy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) quiescence is vital for the success of bone marrow transplantation, as it preserves long term self- renewal and prevents premature exhaustion (Takubo et al., 2013; Wilson et al., 2008). However, bone marrow transplant (BMT) failure remains a clinical challenge, often due to lack of long-term engraftment and insufficient stress reliance. Both of these characteristics are tightly linked to disrupted stem cell quiescence and metabolic imbalance (Anso et al., 2017; Vannini et al., 2016). One key player is S-phase kinase protein (SKP2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets cell cycle inhibitors, like p27, for proteosome …

Investigating The Capacity Of Tdp-43 Low Complexity Domain To Target Protein Aggregates In Yeast, Nicholas J. Grahame

Biology Summer Fellows

Utilizing protein TDP-43 and fluorescent proteins to:

Investigate TDP-43’s LCD region in protein aggregates. Use fluorescent protein tagging to visualize co-localization and aggregation. Leverage yeast as a model system for studying LLPS and aggregation.

Can we target chaperone proteins to TDP-43 LCD region?

Metabolic And Physiological Regulation In C. Elegans: Insights Into Sperm Activation And Peroxisome-Mediated Longevity, Yash Flora

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Organelle dynamics lie at the heart of cellular signaling and metabolic regulation, orchestrating physiological processes such as reproduction and aging across the lifespan. In this dissertation, I investigate how organelle-based signaling coordinates sperm activation and modulates organismal aging in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. I identify SPIN-4, a previously uncharacterized Spinster family transporter, as a key regulator of spermiogenesis. SPIN-4 is strongly expressed in developing sperm, localizes to the plasma membrane, and promotes sperm activation by facilitating the export of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Loss of spin-4 results in defective pseudopod formation, reduced motility, and compromised fertility, phenotypes that can be rescued …

The Anticancer Activity Of Novel Chromene Derivatives Against Colorectal Cancer Cells, Rym Magramane

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as the third most common cancer globally, accounting for nearly 10% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases. In the UAE, CRC was ranked as the third most frequently diagnosed malignancy, and the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in 2023. Standard CRC treatment strategies include surgical resection, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of all, depending on the cancer stage and molecular profile. Despite these interventions, disease recurrence is experienced by a considerable number of cancer patients. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop novel alternative treatments to overcome poor prognosis. Recently, cancer research has …

The Impact Of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Antagonist On Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, Jeanne Michelle Dugas

Master's Theses

Obesity is a condition that affects over 40% of American adults and contributes to numerous preventable health issues. This condition is caused by increased adipose tissue, which forms when stem cells transform into adipocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells, including human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC), are multipotent with the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, or chondrocytes. Many factors affect this transformation, including the peptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The main role of GHRH is to trigger the release of growth hormone, but it has also been found to play an important role in adipocyte metabolism. We expect that if the differentiation …

Regulation Of Ccr7 Signaling Events By G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases 2 And 3, Anahi Sanchez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) can bind multiple ligands, leading to differential signaling events termed biased signaling. C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is a GPCR known to have biased signaling between the two ligands it binds to, CCL19 and CCL21. Binding of C-C Chemokine Ligand 19 (CCL19) promotes a high level of CCR7 phosphorylation, while CCL21 leads to a much lower level of CCR7 phosphorylation; findings observed in HEK and dendritic cells. GPCR kinases (GRKs), which can control the phosphorylation patterns of a GPCR, are hypothesized to regulate biased signaling of a receptor. GRK expression differs between cell lines and cell …

Impact Of Temperature And Microbial Infection On The Honey Bee Hemocytes, Michael E. Oeth

Master's Theses

Introduction

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) rely on hemocytes for immunity, wound healing, and hemolymph homeostasis. While 32°C reflects optimal hive conditions, suboptimal temperatures (22°C) and stressors like pathogens (Varroa destructor, bacteria) or pesticides impair hemocyte function. Using clodronate liposomes (CLD) to deplete hemocytes, we assessed how immune suppression interacts with these stressors.

Methods

Newly emerged (5-day-old) and older (15-day-old) bees were assigned to: CLD, control liposomes (LP), PBS, injection wound, or no treatment. Cohorts were exposed to 32°C (optimal) or 22°C (stressful for non-immunosuppressed bees). Fifteen-day-old bees were challenged with Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus. Survival, hemolymph volume, and hemocyte …

Bibliometric Analysis Of Research Trends Related To Human Immunodeficiency Virus., Madyson E. Johnson, Kaitlyn R. Coffman, Valerie Rivas, Elizabeth Barrett

ATU Scholars Symposium

Human immunodeficiency virus poses major health burden across the globe including the United States of America and has its zoonotic origin from the Simian Immunodeficiency viruses of sooty mangabey monkey and chimpanzee in Africa. Epidemiological trends indicate that even though the mortality rates for HIV are falling globally, the rates of new cases have been rising since 2010 in several countries including the USA. An estimated 0.5% of the human population is currently infected with the virus with countries like USA, India, Nigeria and South Africa carrying the highest burden of the disease. Host receptors such as CD4 and coreceptors …

Metabolic Transitions In Embryos Of Artemia Franciscana: Regulation And Consequences For Oxidative Stress, Daniel Anthony Arabie

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Embryos of Artemia franciscana survive harsh conditions in diapause and anoxia-induced quiescence for years by undergoing deep metabolic transitions. I investigated the relationship between phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and carbon flux to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle during metabolic depression. The difference in catalytic activity of the PDH complex (PDC) in maximally phosphorylated and dephosphorylated samples was 16.5-fold. Western blot analysis confirmed the changes in phosphorylation of PDH. Analysis of PDH expression in diapause and post-diapause embryos via phospho-PDH showed no significant differences. Investigation of post-diapause embryos under anoxia showed that phosphorylation of PDH decreased and activated the enzyme. …

Adipocyte-Derived Cchamide-1, Eiger, Growth-Blocking Peptide 3, And Unpaired 2 Regulate Drosophila Melanogaster Oogenesis, Chad Simmons, Isaiah Williams, Tancia Bradshaw, Alissa R. Armstrong

Faculty Publications

In addition to energy storage, adipose tissue communication to other organs plays a key role in regulating organismal physiology. While the link between adipose tissue dysfunction and pathophysiology, including diabetes, chronic inflammation, and infertility, is clear, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these associations have not been fully described. We use Drosophila melanogaster as a model to better understand how adipose tissue communicates to the ovary. In this study, we utilized D. melanogaster’s robust genetic toolkit to examine the role of five adipokines known to control larval growth during development, CCHamide-1, CCHamide-2, eiger, Growth-blocking peptide 3, and unpaired 2 in regulating …

Therapeutic Role Of Bioactive Peptides Derived From Hemoglobin, Priya Antony Pereppadan

Dissertations

Bioactive peptides are peptide fragments derived from the proteolytic cleavage or maturation of functional proteins that have shown promising therapeutic potential in addressing major health challenges, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and pain management. Diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin production or utilization. There are several therapeutic targets for managing diabetes, and one key target is dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) due to its role in glucose metabolism. In hypertension, angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) is critical for regulating blood pressure by forming angiotensin II, and its inhibition represents an established treatment strategy. Additionally, the …

Tdp43 Autoregulation Gives Rise To Dominant Negative Isoforms That Are Tightly Controlled By Transcriptional And Post-Translational Mechanisms, Megan M. Dykstra, Kaitlin Weskamp, Nicolás B. Gómez, Jacob Waksmacki, Elizabeth Tank, M. Rebecca Glineburg, Allison Snyder, Emile Pinarbasi, Michael Bekier, Xingli Li, Morgan R. Miller, Jen Bai, Shameena Shahzad, Neha Nedumaran, Clare Wieland, Corey Stewart, Sydney Willey, Nikolas Grotewold, Jonathon Mcbride, John J. Moran, Aditya V. Suryakumar, Michael Lucas, Peter M. Tessier, Michael Ward, Peter K. Todd, Sami J. Barmada

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The nuclear RNA-binding protein TDP43 is integrally involved in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Previous studies uncovered N-terminal TDP43 isoforms that are predominantly cytosolic in localization, prone to aggregation, and enriched in susceptible spinal motor neurons. In healthy cells, however, these shortened (s)TDP43 isoforms are difficult to detect in comparison to full-length (fl)TDP43, raising questions regarding their origin and selective regulation. Here, we show that sTDP43 is created as a by-product of TDP43 autoregulation and cleared by nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD). sTDP43-encoding transcripts that escape NMD are rapidly degraded post-translationally via the proteasome …

Investigating The Interactions Between Elm1 And Hsl7 In The Morphogenesis Checkpoint Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Rachel Foster

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cell shape is essential to understanding the normal regulatory processes that occur within the cell and can indicate there are abnormalities present when there is dysfunction in the cell's development, which can have broader implications regarding human disease. The morphogenesis pathway couples cell division to the timely formation of a daughter bud in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and consists of Elm1, Hsl1, Hsl7, and Swe1 proteins which interact with septins at the bud neck to provide stability for the bud and to facilitate cell division. Elm1 is needed for the recruitment of Hsl1 and subsequently Hsl7. Hsl7 will then tether Swe1 to …

Assessing The Role Of Daily Thermal Fluctuations In The Performance Of Mitochondrial Energy Transduction Of The Centrarchid, Lepomis Cyanellus, Grayson Hofmann

Masters Theses

Freshwater systems are affected by current climate extremes, forcing species found in these systems to withstand drastic changes in temperature. Temperature changes affect these organisms by altering their metabolic rate and energy balance. Increases in temperature can lead to an increase in oxygen consumption, which ultimately increases the need for more energy production. Mitochondrial energy transduction of green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and many other fish species after a thermal insult, has hardly been explored. This study complements the limited research available on mitochondrial function in similar species, as they ignore the possibility of consecutive thermal events, which are …

Systematic Review Of Immunohistochemistry Protocols, Arpitha Parthasarathy

Pitzer Senior Theses

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an essential technique in biological research that allows for the visualization and localization of proteins within tissue samples. This systematic review analyzes the most effective, efficient and reproducible protocols for IHC. It focuses on three critical steps: freezing, cryosectioning, and staining of skeletal muscle tissues in mice models. A total of 41, 44, and 48 articles on freezing, cryosectioning, and staining techniques, respectively, were analyzed, from reputable sources in biology like PubMed and Web of Science. Results showed the following. For freezing, the use of isopentane combined with liquid nitrogen appeared to be the best method, minimizing …

The Role Of Host Factor Sptbn1 In Hiv-1 Capsid Uncoating In Human Microglial Cells, Callie Marie Fry

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and currently, there is no cure once an individual is infected. The development of new drugs targeting HIV-1 replication steps is essential for keeping viral loads low or undetectable to prevent further transmission. An attractive replication step for new drug targets is viral capsid uncoating, where the virus loses the protein structure encapsulating the genome. The exact mechanism of capsid uncoating is unknown; however, several host-factors may be involved including protein SPTBN1. Recent studies have shown a significant decrease in viral infectivity when SPTBN1 is knocked down, yet its role …

Molecular Insights Into The Impact Of Bone Marrow Stroma, Cb-6644 Inhibition Of The Ruvbl1/2 Complex, And Cebpβ On Regulating Drug Sensitivity In Multiple Myeloma, Sebastian Adam Dziadowicz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Multiple myeloma (MM), is a hematological cancer originating in plasma cells. Currently multiple myeloma represents a significant clinical challenge due its incurable nature mainly due to inevitable drug resistance. MM is characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation within the bone marrow and production of abnormal immunoglobulin resulting in a plethora of physiological abnormalities. Although a rare malignancy, MM accounts for 1% of all cancers and currently has five-year survival rate of around 50%. Utilizing a combination of laboratory experiments and bioinformatics techniques, this dissertation examines multiple layers of MM physiology in the context of regulating drug resistance or sensitivity. First, …

Caspases Protect Against Hyperglycemia Induced Necroptosis-Like Cell Death In Brain Endothelial Cells, Aleena S. Mathew

Theses and Dissertations

Acute diabetes characterized by high spikes in blood glucose levels in association with severe hyperglycemia can lead to an increased risk of ischemic stroke in the brain. To better understand high blood glucose levels, hyperglycemia, in the brain we explored its effects on endothelial cells. Endothelial cells line the inner walls of blood vessels and are directly impacted in hyperglycemia. Brain endothelial cells are a major component of the blood brain barrier (BBB) which tightly regulates the brain’s microenvironment. The type of cell death such as apoptosis, caspase dependent, or necroptosis, caspase independent, can exacerbate diabetes associated complications. There is …

Chromosome Segregation Dynamics During Meiosis I, Meiosis Ii, And Mitosis Cell Divisions In Acheta Domesticus (House Crickets), Sweta Aryal

Master’s Theses

Chromosomes exhibit diverse types of organization and movement during the cell division process. Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction, producing haploid cells from diploid precursors. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up, and separate in anaphase I, with two chromatids moving toward each pole. In meiosis II, the sister chromatids move to opposite poles during anaphase II and produce haploid cells. In contrast, in mitosis, the chromosomes are copied and distributed to produce genetically identical diploid somatic cells. Understanding the behavior of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis is significant for accurate chromosome segregation to prevent birth defects and diseases like …

Exploring The Effects Of Road Salt On Earthworm Species, Alea Mry Koston

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This study examines the effects of two road salts, sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), on the health of two earthworm species: Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris. Over a 4-week period, approximately 168 earthworms were exposed to varying concentrations of either NaCl, CMA, or mixed ratios of both, with a control group included for comparison. The experiment involved monitoring the changes in earthworm weight and measuring their contraction rates to determine physiological responses. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in weight or activity between NaCl and CMA treatments for either species. However, higher concentrations of NaCl resulted in …

Elucidating The Effects Of Environmental And Physiological Conditions On Stem Cell Regulation In Vivo, Nimmy John

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved intercellular signaling pathway that any dysregulation can lead to a variety of human diseases. These diseases are further exacerbated by various environmental, pathological and genetic conditions. Previous studies have shown that these conditions have been known to affect the Notch transcriptional response. However, the molecular mechanisms by which such conditions influence Notch signaling remained largely unknown. Moreover, most Notch studies have relied on in vitro systems and indirect reporters, which can miss the dynamic and contextual nature of Notch signaling. Here, we systematically analyzed the effects of these conditions with single molecule …

Accurate Body Weight Class Prediction From Mirna And Gene Expression In Blood And Saliva Samples, Kimberly Lettner

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

miRNA interference on protein abundance related to glucose uptake and lipid production has been evaluated in biomedical research and linked to metabolic disorders like severe obesity. The direct regulation of protein abundance caused by miRNAs on a person’s metabolism can lead to an increased weight and overall size. Body size, measured by BMI, provides additional physical descriptions that can be combined with hair color, eye color, age, and skin pigment to aid investigations of unidentified remains or unknown suspects not found in a database. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the miRNA expression of target biomarkers in dried …

Investigating The Role And Expression Of Aquaporin 10 Paralogs In Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias), Esosa Omoregie

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins that facilitate the selective transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes, playing essential roles in maintaining osmotic balance in vertebrates. Among them, aquaglyceroporins such as AQP10 are capable of transporting water, glycerol, and urea, contributing to osmoregulatory and metabolic processes. This study investigated the expression, localization, and potential physiological roles of two AQP10 paralogs, AQP10C1 and AQP10C2, in the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), a marine elasmobranch that maintains osmotic equilibrium through urea retention and ion regulation. Using RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry the study identified tissue-specific expression patterns of …

Reversible Degradation Of Peptidoglycan By Lytic Transglycosylases, Aaron Devereaux

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a burden on the global healthcare system with an estimated cost of billions of dollars and millions of deaths each year. Recently, there has been little to no development on new antibiotics to treat bacterial infection, and any that are developed become resisted to within a few years. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria contain a mesh-like layer called peptidoglycan (PG) that surrounds their cells providing strength, cell shape, and protection from their environments. This layer is a polymer of N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) connected via a b-1,4-glycosidic bond, with each strand being cross-linked …

Studies Of Media To Maximize The Expression Of Bacterial Metalloprotease Genes As Potential Therapeutics For Human Alzheimer’S Disease, Uday Kiran Chigurupati

Honors Capstones

This study investigates the potential of bacterial metalloprotease genes as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The research focuses on Pseudomonas 20ei1 (P. 20ei1), a bacterial species isolated from lagoon water, which contains pitrilysin genes that share similarities with human insulysin. Six pqqL-related genes were identified in P. 20ei1 for this study. The research methodology involved bioinformatic studies, bacterial cell culture in various media, RNA extraction, purification, and cDNA synthesis. Quantitative PCR analysis was performed to analyze gene expression levels in different cDNA samples. The bacteria grown in the medium with insoluble phosphate has shown higher expression of selected genes …

Exploration In Cell Growth: Rac3 And Its Effect On Ewing Sarcomas Tumorigenic Properties, Allie Woods, Samuel De La Cruz, Catherine Garcia, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Multiple experiments were conducted to measure the effectiveness of certain genes on cell growth. In the exploration of this process, RAC3 acted as the target gene and was applied to both SOX18 overexpressing and normal expressing cells (control). RAC3 is a gene that typically controls the intercellular signaling pathway of a cell. This means it helps with the movement of cells and allows for migration.The purpose of these experiments were to determine how the gene RAC3 would work when introduced to carcinogenic cells, specifically Ewing Sarcoma. Typically, RAC3 acts as a messenger for the cell, but when in conjunction with …

The Effect Of Knockdown Of Gene Kit On Sox18 Gene Expression Through The Jak2/Stat3 Signaling Pathway Within An Ewing Sarcoma Cell, Samantha Aragon, Cristina Herrera, Felicity Rodriguez, Riley Smith, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer that affects children & adolescents. Common treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, yet individuals have a poor survival rate and often develop side effects from treatment, including fertility issues, secondary cancer, heart problems, and growth abnormalities.1SOX18 is a gene identified to aid in cell proliferation and cell differentiation, leading to the development of several cancers, such as gastric, bladder, and lung cancer.2,3 SOX18 resides in the JAK2/STAT3 pathway as a regulator, along with another gene named KIT that instigates the formation of the cell signaling pathway.4KIT is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, which instigates cell …

The Effects Of Ewing Sarcoma Through The Overexpression And Knockdown Of Transcription Factors Sox18 And Stat1, Victoria Castillo, Melany Cervantes, Nicole Robles, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

SOX18, a transcription factor with a DNA-binding HMG domain, plays a critical role in regulatory processes linked to cancer progression. Exhibiting oncogenic properties, SOX18 has been linked to various cancers, where it promotes tumor growth by enhancing cell invasion, uncontrolled proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis through dysregulated signaling pathways. STAT1, a protein crucial for immune system regulation, is prominently expressed in immune-associated tissues like the lymph nodes, and bone marrow, suggesting it could play a role in tumor growth. Ewing Sarcoma (EWS), an aggressive cancer that targets bone and soft tissue, carries a high mortality rate of 90% without treatment …

Glutamate Receptors At The Zebrafish Neuromuscular Junction, Trenton Randall

Honors College Theses

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, but at the neuromuscular junction, that role is taken by acetylcholine. However, during embryonic development, non-cholinergic receptors, including those for glutamate, are also present at the NMJ, which are not maintained unless used. These receptors can still form functional circuits, as evidenced by a process called neurotransmitter respecification, in which a neuron changes which neurotransmitter it releases, and is accompanied by the upregulation of the corresponding receptor by the muscle. This process has been observed in frogs and in rats. We predict that zebrafish also exhibit this neurotransmitter plasticity. To assess …

Elucidating The Mechanism Of Interleukin-17a Signaling In The Pathogenesis Of West Nile Virus, Farzana Nazneen

Dissertations

West Nile Virus (WNV), a neurotropic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes, is a leading cause of viral encephalitis in the United States and remains a significant public health concern. Unfortunately, no vaccine or therapeutic intervention is available against WNV infection. Previous studies, including ours, demonstrated that interleukin-17A (IL-17A) signaling increases the cytotoxic potential of CD8⁺ T cells to facilitate WNV and parasite clearance; however, the molecular mechanism is not understood. IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC) is an obligatory co-receptor with IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) for signaling induced by IL-17A, IL-17A/F, and IL-17F. In this study, we found that IL-17RC deficient ( …