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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Investigating The Structure Of The Papain-Inhibitor Complex Using Spr And Nmr, Margaret Sara Thomasson
Investigating The Structure Of The Papain-Inhibitor Complex Using Spr And Nmr, Margaret Sara Thomasson
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Cysteine proteases (CPs) are enzymes with a nucleophilic thiol in their active sites. Inhibitors of cysteine proteases (ICPs) occur naturally in bacterial pathogens and some protozoa. In parasites, ICPs are often virulence factors, contributing to the formation and survival of amastigotes within host cells. These amastigotes have higher CP activity, therefore making both ICPs and CPs potential drug targets. Despite great genetic variability, ICPs contain highly conserved structural features, including a series of defined loops that play a significant role in binding CPs. Papain, a CP from Carica papaya, complexes with ICP from Leishmania mexicana. Although the individual 3-D structures …
Fundamental Studies Of Humic Acid's Influence On Pollutant Toxicity To Aquatic Organisms, Rachel Dawn Deese
Fundamental Studies Of Humic Acid's Influence On Pollutant Toxicity To Aquatic Organisms, Rachel Dawn Deese
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The main purpose of the research presented in this dissertation was to further understand the intricate and convoluted interactions between natural organic material, biological entities, and pollutants. This was achieved by utilizing humic acids (HAs) from differing sources, chemically modified humic acid, two biological entities (model biomembranes and Artemia Franciscana), and three types of pollutants (cations, surfactants, and carbon nanotubes). Fluorescence spectroscopy and model biomembranes were used to measure the change in HA’s ability to interact with the biomembranes in the presence of cations. Three differently sourced HAs, chemical modified HAs, and a range of cations were studied to elucidate …