Molecular Genetics Commons^™

Characterizing Drought Adaptations, Phenotypic Plasticity, And Fixed Gene Expression Patterns Within Quercus, James K. Rauschendorfer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation was written on topics related to the genus Quercus with a primary focus on Quercus ellipsoidalis (northern pin oak) and Quercus rubra (northern red oak). Within this dissertation are chapters related to the setup of experimental common gardens within the Ford and Kellogg experimental forest, a literature review describing drought adaptations of Quercus sect. Lobatae (red oak group), identification of transcription factors within the Q. robur (English oak) and Q. rubra genomes, a study comparing leaf trait phenotypic plasticity of Q. ellipsoidalis and Q. rubra, and an RNA-seq experiment studying ecological speciation between Q. ellipsoidalis and Q. …

Getting To The Root Cause: The Genetic Underpinnings Of Root System Architecture And Rhizodeposition In Sorghum, Farren Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Plants are some of the most diverse organisms on earth, consisting of more than 350,000 different species. To understand the underlying processes that contributed to plant diversification, it is fundamental to identify the genetic and genomic components that facilitated various adaptations over evolutionary history. Most studies to date have focused on the underlying controls of above-ground traits such as grain and vegetation; however, little is known about the “hidden half” of plants. Root systems comprise half of the total plant structure and provide vital functions such as anchorage, resource acquisition, and storage of energy reserves. The execution of these key …

Cloning Of Root-Specific Promoters In Helianthus Annuus And Populus Trichocarpa, Jacob Murphy

Masters Theses

Tissue-specific promoters are a valuable tool in plant biotechnology because they allow for precise spatial control of transgene expression. To identify root-specific promoters in sunflower (Helianthus annuus), sunflower RNA sequence (RNA-seq) data were screened in silico by Pavlidis Template Matching (PTM) with a root-specific template. Eight root-specific genes were identified in sunflower. The 2.5kbp promoter regions of six of these root-specific sunflower genes (HaTOR1L3, HaGOXL3A, HaGOXL3B, HaAPA1, HaPOE1, and HaMOP10) were successfully cloned as well as the 3kbp promoter regions of four root-specific genes previously identified in poplar (Populus trichocarpa …

Phylogenetic Origins And Age-Based Proportions Of Malacho (Elops Smithi) Relative To Ladyfish (Elops Saurus): Species On The Move In The Western Gulf Of Mexico, Damon Williford, Nicolette S. Beeken, Joel Anderson, Polly Hajovsky, Roberta Weixelman

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Two species of ladyfish occur in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Elops saurus and Elops smithi, that are morphologically indistinguishable except for vertebral counts but can also be identified by mitochondrial DNA haplotypes. Here we expand on previous work, most of which has occurred in Florida, and examine the demography, phylogenetics, geographic distribution, and age—structure of ladyfishes in Texas estuaries. Fishery—independent gill net data demonstrated that ladyfishes increase in abundance from north to south along the Texas coast. The abundance of ladyfishes also increased in Texas waters from 1982–2021, which coincides with recent trends of warmer winters. Genetic data …

Amblyomma Quadricavum (Schulze, 1941) (Acari:Ixodidae): First Description Of The Nymphal Stage And Phylogenetic Assessment Of Its Taxonomic Status, Ashleigh V. Riggs

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The hard tick (Acari: Ixodidae) Amblyomma quadricavum (Schulze, 1941) is a parasite of snakes and is endemic to the Caribbean region. Morphological characters of this species, namely its rudimentary eye structures, have led to debate about its taxonomic status. The species was originally assigned to the genus Aponomma. However, with revisions of the genus Aponomma, and the recent creation of new genera created for some basal former-Aponomma, it has been suggested that perhaps Amblyomma quadricavum might be a close relative of Robertsicus elaphensis, the Trans-Pecos rat snake tick of the southwest United States and New Mexico, another eyeless former-Aponomma species …

Amelioration Of Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Dysfunction In Diabetes Mellitus: Delving Into Specialized And Non-Specific Therapeutics For The Ailing Heart, Andrya Jean Durr

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Morbidity and mortality of the diabetic population is influenced by many confounding factors, but cardiovascular disease (CVD), remains the leading cause of death. Mitochondrial dysfunction is central in the development of cardiac contractile dysfunction, with decreased mitochondrial bioenergetic function, increased dependence on free fatty acid utilization, and a decrease in glucose utilization having been shown to contribute to contractile dysfunction. Strategies targeting the amelioration of mitochondrial bioenergetic function are attractive for limiting diabetes-induced heart failure, and preserving health-span. The goals of this dissertation were to assess two mitochondrial-centric approaches for the amelioration of mitochondrial and cardiac contractile dysfunction in diabetes …

การพัฒนาชุดตรวจออกซิไดซ์ไลโพโปรตีนชนิดความหนาแน่นสูง ด้วยเทคนิค Paper-Based Immunogold-Silver Enhancement Assay, ปิยวดี ประดิษฐ์นวกุล

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ไลโพโปรตีนชนิดความหนาแน่นสูง (High-density lipoprotein; HDL) มีบทบาทสำคัญในการป้องกันการเกิดโรคหัวใจขาดเลือด ต้านการอักเสบของหลอดเลือด และยับยั้งการเกิด LDL-oxidation แต่การทำงานของ HDL จะสูญเสียไปเมื่อ HDL ถูกทำลายด้วยอนุมูลอิสระ กลายเป็น oxidized HDL (oxHDL) การวัดระดับ HDL-cholesterol เป็นการประเมินด้านปริมาณแต่ไม่สามารถบอกการทำงานของ HDL ได้ หากสามารถวัดระดับ oxHDL ควบคู่ไปกับระดับ HDL-cholesterol ทำให้การพยากรณ์การเกิดโรคหัวใจขาดเลือดได้แม่นยำขึ้น แต่การวิเคราะห์ระดับ oxHDL ต้องใช้เครื่องมือจำเพาะและน้ำยามีราคาสูง งานวิจัยนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อพัฒนาชุดตรวจวิเคราะห์ oxHDL ด้วยหลักการ Paper-based Immunogold silver-enhanced assay โดยออกแบบฐานกระดาษมีลักษณะเดียวกับ microtiter plate ตรึงแอนติบอดีต่อ 4-Hydroxynonenal (anti-HNE) ซึ่งเป็นผลผลิตจากกรดไขมันที่ถูกออกซิไดซ์ oxHDL ในตัวอย่างจับกับ anti-HNE บนกระดาษ ใช้ anti-APO AI ที่มีความจำเพาะต่อ HDL ที่ติดฉลากกับอนุภาคของทองคำและขยายสัญญาณด้วย silver ion อ่านผลด้วยเครื่องสแกนและวิเคราะห์ความเข้มสีด้วยโปรแกรม Photoshop CS64 ผลการวิเคราะห์ความเป็นเส้นตรงระหว่าง oxHDL กับ ความเข้มสี พบว่า มีความสัมพันธ์เป็นเส้นตรงที่ความเข้มข้นตั้งแต่ 0-300 ng/mL ( r2 = 0.946) ผลการทดสอบความถูกต้องของชุดทดสอบ ใช้ซีรัมจำนวน 32 ราย วิเคราะห์ปริมาณ oxHDL ด้วยวิธีที่พัฒนาขึ้นและวิธี Sandwich ELISA หาความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างปริมาณ oxHDL ที่วิเคราะห์ได้จากทั้งสองวิธีด้วย Pearson correlation coefficient พบว่า ค่า correlation coefficient (r) = 0.527 และมีค่า p-value =0.002 แสดงให้เห็นว่าทั้งสองวิธีมีความสัมพันธ์มีความสัมพันธ์กันในระดับกลางอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ อุปกรณ์ตรวจวิเคราะห์ออกซิไดซ์ไลโพโปรตีนชนิดความหนาแน่นสูงฐานกระดาษเป็นต้นแบบที่สามารถนำไปต่อยอดและพัฒนา เพื่อประยุกต์ใช้ในการตรวจปริมาณ oxHDL …

ผลของ Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Gg ร่วมกับสารเคอคิวมินต่อการยับยั้งการมีชีวิตและกระตุ้นการตายแบบอะพอพโตซิสของเซลล์มะเร็งช่องปากชนิดสความัสเซลล์คาร์ซิโนมา, ชัชพันธุ์ อุดมพัฒนากร

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

มะเร็งช่องปากชนิดสความัสเซลล์คาร์ซิโนมา (Oral squamous cell carcinoma, OSCC) จัดเป็นมะเร็งที่พบได้บ่อยที่สุดของ มะเร็งศรีษะและลำคอ เคอคิวมินเป็นสารออกฤทธิ์หลักซึ่งพบได้ในขมิ้นชันและถูกใช้เป็นสมุนไพรสำหรับการรักษาโรคต่าง ๆ หลายชนิด รวมทั้ง ได้รับการพิสูจน์ในห้องปฏิบัติการแล้วว่ามีคุณสมบัติในการยับยั้งเซลล์มะเร็งได้หลากหลายประเภท ในขณะที่โพรไบโอติกแบคทีเรีย Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) ได้รับการพิสูจน์ในห้องปฏิบัติการถึงคุณสมบัติในการยับยั้งเซลล์มะเร็งได้หลากหลายชนิดเช่นกัน และ มีรายงานถึงการนำ LGG ไปใช้ร่วมกับสารผลิตภัณฑ์ธรรมชาติชนิดอื่น ๆ เพื่อเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพของสารธรรมชาตินั้นอีกด้วย ดังนั้นวัตถุประสงค์ ของการศึกษาในครั้งนี้คือ เพื่อศึกษาผลของการใช้เคอคิวมินร่วมกับน้ำเลี้ยงส่วนใสของแบคทีเรีย LGG (LGG cell-free supernatant, LGG CFS) ในการยับยั้งการมีชีวิตและกระตุ้นให้เซลล์มะเร็งช่องปากชนิด OSCC (SCC-9 cells) เกิดการตายแบบอะพอพโตซิส ผลการศึกษาพบว่า เคอคิวมินและ LGG CFS มีคุณสมบัติในการยับยั้งการมีชีวิตของเซลล์มะเร็งช่องปาก SCC-9 cells โดยขึ้นอยู่กับความเข้มข้นที่ใช้ การใช้เคอคิว มินและ LGG CFS ที่ความเข้มข้นสูง (Curcumin 40 µg/ml และ 25% (volume/volume) LGG CFS ที่ความเข้มข้น 108 CFU/ml หรือความ เข้มเข้นเริ่มต้น (undiluted condition)) ในรูปแบบการใช้สารเดี่ยวหรือสารผสมร่วมกัน ส่งผลยับยั้งการมีชีวิตของทั้งเซลล์มะเร็งช่องปาก SCC9 cells และเซลล์เนื้อเยื่อเหงือก (human gingival fibroblast, HGF cells) เมื่อเปรียบเทียบกับสภาวะควบคุม (p<0.0001 สำหรับการใช้สาร เดี่ยวในเซลล์มะเร็งช่องปาก SCC-9 และการใช้สารเดี ่ยวและสารผสมในเซลล์เนื ้อเยื ่อเหงือก HGF และ p=0.02 สำหรับการใช้สารผสมใน เซลล์มะเร็งช่องปาก SCC-9) ในขณะที ่การใช้เคอคิวมินและ LGG CFS ในรูปแบบของสารผสมร่วมกันที ่ระดับความเข้มข้นต่ำ (Curcumin 5 µg/ml และ 25% (v/v) LGG CFS ความเข้มข้น 1:100 เท่าจากระดับความเข้มข้นเริ ่มต้น) สามารถยับยั ้งการมีชีวิตของเซลล์มะเร็งช่องปาก SCC-9 ได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพเมื่อเปรียบเทียบกับสภาวะการใช้สารเดี่ยวของเคอคิวมินและ LGG CFS ที่ระดับความเข้มข้นต่ำ และสภาวะควบคุม (p<0.0001, p=0.002 และ p=0.02 ตามลำดับ) และไม่ส่งผลต่อการมีชีวิตของเซลล์เนื้อเยื่อเหงือก HGF เมื่อเทียบกับกลุ่มควบคุม (p=0.14) ผลการวิเคราะห์ Flow analysis พบว่าสภาวะการใช้เคอคิวมินและ LGG CFS ร่วมกันที่ระดับความเข้มข้นต่ำ สามารถเหนี่ยวนำให้ เซลล์มะเร็ง SCC-9 เกิดการตายแบบอะพอพโตซิสได้มากขึ้นอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติเมื่อเปรียบเทียบกับการใช้สารเดี่ยวและสภาวะควบคุม (p<0.0001 ในทุกสภาวะ) นอกจากนั้นสภาวะการใช้เคอคิวมินและ LGG CFS ร่วมกันที่ระดับความเข้มข้นต่ำ สามารถเหนี่ยวนำให้เซลล์มะเร็ง SCC-9 มีระดับการแสดงออกของ Bax/Bcl-2 ratio ที่สูงขึ้น ซึ่งมีผลให้ให้เซลล์มะเร็งเกิดการตายแบบอะพอพโตซิสต่อไป อย่างไรก็ตามสภาวะ เคอคิวมินและ LGG CFS ร่วมกันที่ระดับความเข้มข้นต่ำ ส่งผลต่อระดับการแสดงออกของโปรตีน caspase-3 ที ่สูงขึ้นอย่างไม่มีนัยสำคัญ (p=0.12) แต่ไม่มีผลต่อระอัตราส่วนการแสดงออกของโปรตีน Bcl-xL/Bak และโปรตีน Mcl-1/Bak เมื่อเทียบกับกลุ่มควบคุม (p=0.53 และ p=0.34 ตามลำดับ) การวิเคราะห์ LGG CFS ที่ความเข้มข้น 1:100 เท่าจากระดับความเข้มข้นเริ่มต้น ด้วยเทคนิค LC-MS/MS พบสารประเภท โปรตีนทั้งหมด 30 ชนิด ได้แก่ metabolic enzyme and protein จำนวน 26 ชนิด และ surface layer protein จำนวน 4 ชนิด การใช้สาร เคอคิวมินและ LGG CFS ร่วมกันที่ระดับความเข้มข้นต่ำ น่าจะมีผลในการยับยั้งเซลล์มะเร็งช่องปากชนิด SCC-9 แต่ไม่มีผลกระทบต่อเซลล์ เหงือก HGF ผลการศึกษาในครั้งนี้อาจนำไปสู่การพัฒนาวิธีป้องกันหรือรักษามะเร็งช่องปากชนิด OSCC รูปแบบใหม่ได้ในอนาคต

Evaluating A Test For Shedding Propensity Using Tape Lifts From Different Skin Locations, Xiao M. Chen

Student Theses

The shedding propensity of a person can assist data interpretation in casework when assessing the possibility of passive transfer for DNA analysis. Past studies on shedding propensity evaluated palmar skin (washed and unwashed) deposits. This study compared different skin locations with respect to shedding propensity, and explored the potential of tape-lifts as a skin surface collection method. Eight different skin types and samples were collected with adhesive tape disks from 28 participants over three non-consecutive days; the washed and unwashed fingers from both hands, toe, and arm, neck below ear, and nape. Samples were extracted, quantified, amplified, genotyped, and evaluated …

Investigation Of Mitochondrial Inheritance In The Smut Fungus Sporisorium Reilianum., Hector Eduardo Mendoza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An important goal in evolutionary biology is to address the origin of Earth’s immense biodiversity through the evolution of complex sexual reproduction mechanisms in eukaryotes. Inheritance of mitochondria during sexual reproduction has received special attention in recent years, as these organelles cannot be synthesized de novo and must be transmitted from parent to offspring. The importance of these organelles far exceeds its common function as the energy-producing “powerhouse” of the cell, as it has been found to also be involved in fundamental processes like apoptosis, aging and metabolic homeostasis. Thus, appropriate inheritance of mitochondria is essential for growth and development …

Genome-Wide Analyses Of Genomic Variation Regulating Differential Stress Responses In Japanese Quail, Steven Anthony Shumaker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As consumer demands for poultry grow, producers work to improve bird productivity in both meat and egg production. This endeavor is multifaceted, as many different factors play a part in influencing the productivity of birds, including environmental conditions, overall health, and genetic potential. One aspect controlled for in all aspects of poultry production optimization is stress management. Mitigation of stress is of primary concern to producers, as improper stress management can have many deleterious effects on chickens. Stress management requires an understanding of poultry stress responses and their physiological mechanisms, which can be more deeply understood through genomic analysis. Chapter …

Mutant Kras Alters Extracellular Vesicle Microrna Sorting In Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms, Rachel L. Dittmar

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest cancers by organ site with a 5-year survival rate of just 10.8%. This is largely because most patients do not experience symptoms until the disease has already metastasized. The best hope to cure PDAC is surgery, which can only be done with a curative intent at an early stage when the disease is localized. There are no reliable circulating, body-fluid-based biomarkers to detect early stage PDAC or its precursor lesions in a timely manner for effective surgical intervention. When potential PDAC precursor lesions, such as mucinous pancreatic cysts are found, there are …

Deciphering The Role Of Hsp110 Chaperones In Diseases Of Protein Misfolding, Unekwu M. Yakubu

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Molecular chaperones maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis) by ensuring the proper folding of polypeptides. Loss of proteostasis has been linked to the onset of numerous neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. Hsp110 is a member of the Hsp70 class of molecular chaperones and acts as a nucleotide exchange factor (NEF) for Hsp70, the preeminent Hsp70-family protein folding chaperone. Hsp110 promotes rapid cycling of ADP for ATP, allowing Hsp70 to properly fold nascent or unfolded polypeptides in iterative cycles. In addition to its NEF activity, Hsp110 possesses an Hsp70-like substrate binding domain (SBD) whose biological roles are undefined. Previous work …

Comparison Of Multiple Imputation Algorithms And Verification Using Whole-Genome Sequencing In The Cmuh Genetic Biobank, Ting-Yuan Liu, Chih-Fan Lin, Hsing-Tsung Wu, Ya-Lun Wu, Yu-Chia Chen, Chi-Chou Liao, Yu-Pao Chou, Dysan Chao, Hsing-Fang Lu, Ya-Sian Chang, Jan-Gowth Chang, Kai-Cheng Hsu, Fuu‑Jen Tsai

BioMedicine

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) can be conducted to systematically analyze the contributions of genetic factors to a wide variety of complex diseases. Nevertheless, existing GWASs have provided highly ethnic specific data. Accordingly, to provide data specific to Taiwan, we established a large-scale genetic database in a single medical institution at the China Medical University Hospital. With current technological limitations, microarray analysis can detect only a limited number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a minor allele frequency of >1%. Nevertheless, imputation represents a useful alternative means of expanding data. In this study, we compared four imputation algorithms in terms of …

Dual Activities Of Acc Synthase: Novel Clues Regarding The Molecular Evolution Of Acs Genes, Chang Xu, Bowei Hao, Gongling Sun, Yuanyuan Mei, Lifang Sun, Yunmei Sun, Yibo Wang, Yongyan Zhang, Wei Zhang, Mengyuan Zhang, Yue Zhang, Dan Wang, Zihe Rao, Xin Li, Jeffery Shen, Ning Ning Wang

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Ethylene plays profound roles in plant development. The rate-limiting enzyme of ethylene biosynthesis is 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase (ACS), which is generally believed to be a single-activity enzyme evolving from aspartate aminotransferases. Here, we demonstrate that, in addition to catalyzing the conversion of S-adenosyl-methionine to the ethylene precursor ACC, genuine ACSs widely have Cβ-S lyase activity. Two N-terminal motifs, including a glutamine residue, are essential for conferring ACS activity to ACS-like proteins. Motif and activity analyses of ACS-like proteins from plants at different evolutionary stages suggest that the ACC-dependent pathway is uniquely developed in seed plants. A putative catalytic mechanism for …

Interleukin-10 Suppression Enhances T-Cell Antitumor Immunity And Responses To Checkpoint Blockade In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia., J R Rivas, Y Liu, S S Alhakeem, J M Eckenrode, F Marti, J P Collard, Y Zhang, K A Shaaban, N Muthusamy, G C Hildebrandt, L Chen, J S Thorson, M Leggas, Subbarao Bondada

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

T-cell dysfunction is a hallmark of B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), where CLL cells downregulate T-cell responses through regulatory molecules including programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) aims to restore T-cell function by preventing the ligation of inhibitory receptors like PD-1. However, most CLL patients do not respond well to this therapy. Thus, we investigated whether IL-10 suppression could enhance antitumor T-cell activity and responses to ICB. Since CLL IL-10 expression depends on Sp1, we utilized a novel, better tolerated analogue of the Sp1 inhibitor mithramycin (MTM

The Role Of The Filifactor Alocis Hypothetical Protein Fa519 In Oxidative Stress Resistance, Ezinne Rebecca Aja

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Filifactor alocis, a fastidious, Gram-positive, obligate anaerobic bacterium, is a newly appreciated member of the periodontal community, which is now proposed to be a diagnostic indicator of periodontal disease. Its pathogenic characteristics are highlighted by its ability to survive in the oxidative-stress rich environment of the periodontal pocket and to significantly alter the microbial community dynamics by forming biofilms and interacting with several oral bacteria. Currently, there is incomplete information on the pathogenic mechanism(s) and a possible dynamic functional role of F. alocis in the dysbiotic microbial community. Because the stress response of this bacterium to the oxidative environment …

Regulatory Non-Coding Rnas Modulate Transcriptional Activation During B Cell Development, Mary Attaway, Tzippora Chwat-Edelstein, Bao Q. Vuong

Publications and Research

B cells play a significant role in the adaptive immune response by secreting immunoglobulins that can recognize and neutralize foreign antigens. They develop from hematopoietic stem cells, which also give rise to other types of blood cells, such as monocytes, neutrophils, and T cells, wherein specific transcriptional programs define the commitment and subsequent development of these different cell lineages. A number of transcription factors, such as PU.1, E2A, Pax5, and FOXO1, drive B cell development. Mounting evidence demonstrates that non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), modulate the expression of these transcription factors directly by binding …

Global Gene Expression Analysis Of Systemic Sclerosis Myofibroblasts Demonstrates A Marked Increase In The Expression Of Multiple Nbpf Genes, Giuseppina Abignano, Heidi Hermes, Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Sankar Addya, Francesco Del Galdo, Sergio A. Jimenez

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Myofibroblasts are the key effector cells responsible for the exaggerated tissue fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Despite their importance to SSc pathogenesis, the specific transcriptome of SSc myofibroblasts has not been described. The purpose of this study was to identify transcriptome differences between SSc myofibroblasts and non-myofibroblastic cells. Alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressing myofibroblasts and α-SMA negative cells were isolated employing laser capture microdissection from dermal cell cultures from four patients with diffuse SSc of recent onset. Total mRNA was extracted from both cell populations, amplified and analyzed employing microarrays. Results for specific genes were validated by Western blots …

Vps54 Regulates Lifespan And Locomotor Behavior In Adult Drosophila Melanogaster, Emily C. Wilkinson, Emily L. Starke, Scott A. Barbee

Biological Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

Vps54 is an integral subunit of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, which is involved in tethering endosome-derived vesicles to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). A destabilizing missense mutation in Vps54 causes the age-progressive motor neuron (MN) degeneration, muscle weakness, and muscle atrophy observed in the wobbler mouse, an established animal model for human MN disease. It is currently unclear how the disruption of Vps54, and thereby the GARP complex, leads to MN and muscle phenotypes. To develop a new tool to address this question, we have created an analogous model in Drosophila by generating novel loss-of-function alleles of the …

Human 5’-Tailed Mirtrons Are Processed By Rnasep, Mohammad Farid Zia

Dissertations

Approximately a thousand microRNAs (miRNAs) are documented from human cells. A third appear to transit non-canonical pathways that typically bypass processing by Drosha, the dedicated nuclear miRNA producing enzyme. The largest class of non-canonical miRNAs are mirtrons which eschew Drosha to mature through spliceosome activity. While mirtrons are found in several configurations, the vast majority of human mirtron species are 5’-tailed. For these mirtrons, a 3’ splice site defines the 3’ end of their hairpin precursor while a “tail” of variable length separates the 5’ base of the hairpin from the nearest splice site. How this tail is removed is …

Statistical Potentials For Rna-Protein Interactions Optimized By Cma-Es, Takayuki Kimura, Nobuaki Yasuo, Masakazu Sekijima, Brooke Lustig

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Characterizing RNA-protein interactions remains an important endeavor, complicated by the difficulty in obtaining the relevant structures. Evaluating model structures via statistical potentials is in principle straight-forward and effective. However, given the relatively small size of the existing learning set of RNA-protein complexes optimization of such potentials continues to be problematic. Notably, interaction-based statistical potentials have problems in addressing large RNA-protein complexes. In this study, we adopted a novel strategy with covariance matrix adaptation (CMA-ES) to calculate statistical potentials, successfully identifying native docking poses.

Determining The Primary Dna Substrates Of Shld2'S Ob-Fold Domains, Hari Patchigolla

Holster Scholar Projects

Failure to repair DNA double-stranded breaks leads to cell death. Radiation therapy is commonly used to kill cancer cells by inducing these breaks. However resistance to radiation therapy, due to a hyperactive DNA double-stranded break repair pathway, is a common occurrence that makes cancer patients more prone to relapse. The Shieldin complex is shown to promote DNA-double stranded break repair by binding to DNA at sites of damage. Thus, the objective of this project is to understand the affinity and type of DNA that Shieldin binds to, through gel-shift assays, for the eventual creation of an inhibitor for this protein …

Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment: Focus On The Intersection Of Oxidative Stress And Tnfα., Nicole G Rummel, Luksana Chaiswing, Subbarao Bondada, Daret K St Clair, D Allan Butterfield

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) has been observed in a large fraction of cancer survivors. Although many of the chemotherapeutic drugs do not cross the blood-brain barrier, following treatment, the structure and function of the brain are altered and cognitive dysfunction occurs in a significant number of cancer survivors. The means by which CICI occurs is becoming better understood, but there still remain unsolved questions of the mechanisms involved. The hypotheses to explain CICI are numerous. More than 50% of FDA-approved cancer chemotherapy agents are associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) that lead to oxidative stress and activate a myriad of …

Using Molecular Diagnostics To Develop Therapeutic Strategies For Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections, Fred C. Tenover

Biology Faculty Publications

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms have become a global threat. Such infections can be very difficult to treat, especially when they are caused by carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO). Since infections caused by CPO tend to have worse outcomes than non-CPO infections, it is important to identify the type of carbapenemase present in the isolate or at least the Ambler Class (i.e., A, B, or D), to optimize therapy. Many of the newer beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations are not active against organisms carrying Class B metallo-enzymes, so differentiating organisms with Class A or D carbapenemases from those with Class B enzymes rapidly …

Phenotypic/Genotypic Profile Of Oxa-10-Like-Harboring, Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: Using Validated Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic In Vivo Models To Further Evaluate Enzyme Functionality And Clinical Implications, Fred C. Tenover, Christian M. Gill, Adrian Brink, Chun Yat Chu, Jennifer Coetzee, George Dimopoulos, Clinton Moodley, Christoffel Johannes Opperman, Spyros Pournaras, Isabella A. Tickler, Hafsah Deepa Tootla, Sophia Vourli, David P. Nicolau

Biology Faculty Publications

In vitro MICs and in vivo pharmacodynamics of ceftazidime and cefepime human-simulated regimens (HSR) against modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM)-positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates harboring different OXA-10-like subtypes were described. The murine thigh model assessed ceftazidime (2 g every 8 h [q8h] HSR) and cefepime (2 g and 1 g q8h HSR). Phenotypes were similar despite possessing OXA-10-like subtypes with differing spectra. Ceftazidime produced ≥1-log10 killing in all isolates. Cefepime activity was dose dependent and MIC driven. This approach may be useful in assessing the implications of β-lactamase variants.

Determining Effective Drug Concentrations For Selection And Counterselection Genetics In Drosophila Melanogaster, Nick Matinyan, Yezabel Gonzalez, Herman A Dierick, Koen J T Venken

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

We recently integrated into fly genetics a set of four selection and two counterselection markers and their corresponding drugs that can be used individually or in combination. These markers eliminate the need to visually screen progeny. Before using these markers in new genetic backgrounds, effective selection/counterselection concentrations should be established for each marker/drug combination. This protocol describes how to set up, perform, and analyze a drug titration curve to determine the effective selection/counterselection drug concentrations for their corresponding markers. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Matinyan et al., 2021.

Developmental Programming Of Dna Methylation And Gene Expression Patterns Is Associated With Extreme Cardiovascular Tolerance To Anoxia In The Common Snapping Turtle, Ilan Ruhr, Jacob Bierstedt, Turk Rhen, Debojyoti Das, Sunil Kumar Singh, Soleille Miller, Dane A. Crossley Ii, Gina L. J. Galli

Biology Faculty Publications

Background

Environmental fluctuation during embryonic and fetal development can permanently alter an organism’s morphology, physiology, and behaviour. This phenomenon, known as developmental plasticity, is particularly relevant to reptiles that develop in subterranean nests with variable oxygen tensions. Previous work has shown hypoxia permanently alters the cardiovascular system of snapping turtles and may improve cardiac anoxia tolerance later in life. The mechanisms driving this process are unknown but may involve epigenetic regulation of gene expression via DNA methylation. To test this hypothesis, we assessed in situ cardiac performance during 2 h of acute anoxia in juvenile turtles previously exposed to normoxia …

Effects Of Copper Oxide (Cuo) And Zinc Oxide (Zno) Nano And Bulk Forms To Soil Fungal Community [Research Note], Jonathan Jaime Guerrero, Teresita Dalisay, Nolissa Organo, Ireneo Pangga

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The effects of copper oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in bulk and nano forms on soil fungal community was determined. Lipa clay loam soil collected from the University of the Philippines Los Baños were placed in polypropylene bags and amended with 300 mg/L of CuO or ZnO in either forms. Colony-forming units (CFU) as well as average well color development (AWCD), functional richness and stress index were determined on day 1, 8 and 15 via indirect viable plate count method and community – level physiological profiling (CLPP). Fungal isolates from the same soil samples were likewise identified and tested …

Student Perceptions Of Authoring A Publication Stemming From A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (Cure), Ashley N. Turner, Anil K. Challa, Katelyn M. Cooper

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) engage students in authentic research experiences in a course format and can sometimes result in the publication of that research. However, little is known about student-author perceptions of CURE publications. In this study, we examined how students perceive they benefit from authoring a CURE publication and what they believe is required for authorship of a manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal. All 16 students who were enrolled in a molecular genetics CURE during their first year of college participated in semistructured interviews during their fourth year. At the time of the interviews, students had been authors …