Reversible Inhibition Of Mycobacterial Dnab Protein Splicing By Zinc,
2020
Murray State University
Reversible Inhibition Of Mycobacterial Dnab Protein Splicing By Zinc, Gabrielle Hardison
Honors College Theses
Inteins are emerging as post-translational regulatory elements, undergoing conditional protein splicing in response to a variety of environmental cues. Inteins are seamlessly removed by self-splicing from exteins, or flanking portions of the host protein, which they interrupt. DnaB of Mycobacterium smegmatis, a helicase essential for replication, harbors two inteins known as DnaBi1 and DnaBi2, each with discrete structural characteristics and insertion positions. DnaBi1 was used here to design a reporter system which links splicing with resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin. We built a construct that strictly requires catalytically active DnaBi1 for survival in the presence of kanamycin and used …
Investigating The Interactions Between Individual Calmodulin And Hiv-1 Protein Domains,
2020
Chapman University
Investigating The Interactions Between Individual Calmodulin And Hiv-1 Protein Domains, Riley K. Kendall, Jerry Larue
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
The World Health Organization found that 37.9 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2018. HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system through viral replication and the destruction of CD4+ T-cells, which are white blood cells that detect infection and make antibodies. A cure for HIV has not yet been discovered. HIV-1 contains a Gag polyprotein which regulates the stages of viral replication. Previous studies suggest that the myristoyl group of a matrix protein peptide found on the Gag polyprotein, MA, forms a complex with a calcium-binding, multifunctional regulatory protein called Calmodulin (CaM). CaM …
The Role Of Slc7a11 In Controlling Extracellular And Intracellular Redox Environments Of Lung Fibroblasts - Potential Targets For Intervention In Aging And Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.,
2020
University of Louisville
The Role Of Slc7a11 In Controlling Extracellular And Intracellular Redox Environments Of Lung Fibroblasts - Potential Targets For Intervention In Aging And Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis., Yuxuan Zheng
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease characterized by extracellular matrix deposition by fibroblasts. Aging and oxidative stress increase the susceptibility to IPF. Redox couples, cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) and glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG), and their redox potentials (Eh) quantify oxidative stress. Fibroblasts from old mice maintain more oxidized extracellular Eh(Cys/CySS) than young mice. Microarray shows down-regulation of Slc7a11 potentially mediates this age-related oxidation. Slc7a11 is the key component of system Xc-, an antiporter that imports CySS and exports glutamate. The first aim of this dissertation is to investigate the mechanistic link between Slc7a11 …
Size-Dependent Inhibitory Effects Of Antibiotic Nanocarriers On Filamentation Of E. Coli,
2020
Old Dominion University
Size-Dependent Inhibitory Effects Of Antibiotic Nanocarriers On Filamentation Of E. Coli, Preeyaporn Songkiatisak, Feng Ding, Pavan Kumar Cherukuri, Xiao-Hong Nancy Xu
Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications
Multidrug membrane transporters exist in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and cause multidrug resistance (MDR), which results in an urgent need for new and more effective therapeutic agents. In this study, we used three different sized antibiotic nanocarriers to study their mode of action and their size-dependent inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Antibiotic nanocarriers (AgMUNH–Oflx NPs) with 8.6 × 102, 9.4 × 103 and 6.5 × 105 Oflx molecules per nanoparticle (NP) were prepared by functionalizing Ag NPs (2.4 ± 0.7, 13.0 ± 3.1 and 92.6 ± 4.4 nm) with a monolayer …
Cloning, Expression, Purification And Characterization Of Heparin-Binding Pocket Of Recombinant Fgf1,
2020
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Cloning, Expression, Purification And Characterization Of Heparin-Binding Pocket Of Recombinant Fgf1, Quratulayn Ashraf
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Fibroblast growth factors are polypeptide members of the FGF family, which to date comprises of at least 22 members. They belong to a group of growth factors and are involved in a variety of cellular processes including wound healing, angiogenesis, differentiation and development (organogenesis). Amongst FGF members, human acidic FGF-1 and basic FGF-2 are the most characterized. FGF-1 and FGF-2 are known to share more than 80% sequence similarity and have an identical structural fold. However, their biological roles are quite different. FGFs bind to heparin and heparan sulfate ligands through their heparin-binding pockets. The interactions are primarily electrostatic in …
Computational Molecular Docking Models And Design Of Diarylpentanoids For The Androgen Receptor,
2020
Chapman University
Computational Molecular Docking Models And Design Of Diarylpentanoids For The Androgen Receptor, Jarett Guillow
Computational and Data Sciences (MS) Theses
The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the nuclear receptor protein family that, upon binding to its natural ligand dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the cytoplasm, translocates to the nucleus and exerts nuclear transcription factor activity to drive gene expression related to normal prostate development. AR signaling becomes overactive during the development and progression of prostate cancer through different mechanisms, including over-expression and mutation of the AR. Therefore, the AR is a prominent molecular target in the clinical management of prostate cancer. However, all therapeutic modalities targeting the AR, including androgen ablation therapy and AR block suffer from transient efficacy and …
Understanding The Implications Of Anandamide, An Endocannabinoid In An Early Land Plant, Physcomitrella Patens,
2020
East Tennessee State University
Understanding The Implications Of Anandamide, An Endocannabinoid In An Early Land Plant, Physcomitrella Patens, Md Imdadul Haq
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Endocannabinoid signaling is well studied in mammals and known to be involved in numerous pathological and physiological processes. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) terminates endocannabinoid signaling in mammals. In Physcomitrella patens, we identified nine orthologs of FAAH (PpFAAH1 to PpFAAH9) with the characteristic catalytic triad and amidase signature sequence. Kinetics of PpFAAH1 showed specificity towards anandamide (AEA) at 37°C and pH 8.0. Further biophysical and bioinformatic analyses revealed that, structurally, PpFAAH1 to PpFAAH4 were closely associated to the plant FAAH whereas PpFAAH6 to PpFAAH9 were more closely associated to the animal FAAH. A substrate entry gate or ‘dynamic paddle’ …
Antioxidating Effect Of Ampelocissus Sp. (Isi Nyaru) On Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats,
2020
Universiti Malaya
Antioxidating Effect Of Ampelocissus Sp. (Isi Nyaru) On Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats, Zamri Elly Zulaikha
Student Works (2020-2029)
The Ampelocissus sp. locally known as Isi Nyaru has been traditionally used by native Malaysian for medical purpose. The tuber was extracted with hexane, petroleum-ether, chloroform, methanol and water solvents. The seperation and detection of bioactive compounds were done using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) methods. The TLC results showed the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenoids. While in GCMS has revealed the presence of hydrocarbon groups such as alkene, ester and ether, amino acid groups, dicarboxylic acid and cyclic aromatic compound. The total phenol content and total flavonoid content were highest in methanolic …
Literature Review: The Role Of Inflammatory Biomarkers In The Connections Between Sleep And Chronic Health Conditions,
2020
University of Northern Iowa
Literature Review: The Role Of Inflammatory Biomarkers In The Connections Between Sleep And Chronic Health Conditions, Madeline Walker
Honors Program Theses
Decades of research has shown that sleep plays a vital role in our health, and disruptions in sleep can have long term detrimental effects on our lives (Yoo, 2007). The recommended amount of sleep by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) for adults is between 7-9 hours each night (NSF, 2020). It is common knowledge that too few hours of sleep are unhealthy, but scientists are only beginning to understand the mechanisms that explain the connections between sleep patterns and health outcomes (CDC, 2011). Additionally, recent research has shown that excess sleep can be just as detrimental, if not more, to …
The Retinoblastoma Protein Mediates Metabolic Reprogramming In Lung Cancer.,
2020
University of Louisville
The Retinoblastoma Protein Mediates Metabolic Reprogramming In Lung Cancer., Lindsey R. Conroy
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lung cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed cancers and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. One of the hallmark events in lung cancer pathogenesis is deregulation of the cell cycle. The retinoblastoma protein (pRb) is a tumor suppressor that is deleted, mutated, or inactivated in most lung cancer cases. Canonically, pRb functions to regulate cell cycle progression by repressing the transcriptional activity of the E2F family of transcription factors, inhibiting S phase entry. Although the cell cycle functions of pRb have been well established, recent studies have highlighted a functional role for pRb in controlling cellular metabolism. …
Novel Cyanoximates As An Alternative In Cancer Chemotherapy,
2020
Missouri State University
Novel Cyanoximates As An Alternative In Cancer Chemotherapy, Kafayat Aderonke Yusuf
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
Chemotherapy is one of the most effective treatment plans for several cancer types. The recurrent side effects derived from chemotherapy agents have warranted the search for novel chemical compounds with better efficacy and minimal side effects. In line with this idea, I investigated effects of a group of newly synthesized metal based chemical compounds called cyanoximates on HeLa human cancer cells. Cyanoximates used were Pt(DECO)2, Pt(MCO)2, and Pd(DECO)2 along with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin as a positive control. I found that the metal cyanoximates reduced cell viability via apoptosis, and that Pt(DECO)2 was most …
The Importance Of Ile716 Toward The Mutagenicity Of 8-Oxo-2’-Deoxyguanosine With Bacillus Fragment Dna Polymerase,
2020
University of Richmond
The Importance Of Ile716 Toward The Mutagenicity Of 8-Oxo-2’-Deoxyguanosine With Bacillus Fragment Dna Polymerase, Michelle L. Hamm, Anarosa A. Garcia, Rachel Gilbert, Manavi Johri, Miranda Ricart, Samantha L. Sholes, Laura A. Murray-Nerger, Eugene Y. Wu
Biology Faculty Publications
8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine (OdG) is a prominent DNA lesion that can direct the incorporation of dCTP or dATP during replication. As the latter reaction can lead to mutation, the ratio of dCTP/dATP incorporation can significantly affect the mutagenic potential of OdG. Previous work with the A-family polymerase BF and seven analogues of OdG identified a major groove amino acid, Ile716, which likely influences the dCTP/dATP incorporation ratio opposite OdG. To further probe the importance of this amino acid, dCTP and dATP incorporations opposite the same seven analogues were tested with two BF mutants, I716M and I716A. Results from these studies support the …
Alternative Polyadenylation Modulates Expression Of Pro-Fibrotic Proteins And Contributes To Lung Fibrosis,
2020
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Alternative Polyadenylation Modulates Expression Of Pro-Fibrotic Proteins And Contributes To Lung Fibrosis, Junsuk Ko
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease which affects about 5 to 8 million individuals in the world. Despite the high prevalence, there is currently no cure for IPF, and the cause of this disease is still unclear. Our laboratory and collaborators have shown that nudix hydrolase 21 (NUDT21, which is also known as cleavage factor 25, CFIm25) is a key regulator of alternative polyadenylation (APA). NUDT21 depletion causes 3’UTR shortening via APA leading to enhanced mRNA stability and protein translation. This NUDT21 reduction promotes tumor growth in glioblastoma by enhancing expression of oncogenes. Cancer and IPF share …
Loss Of Caspase-8 Function In Combination With Smac Mimetic Treatment Sensitizes Head And Neck Squamous Carcinoma To Radiation Through Induction Of Necroptosis.,
2020
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Loss Of Caspase-8 Function In Combination With Smac Mimetic Treatment Sensitizes Head And Neck Squamous Carcinoma To Radiation Through Induction Of Necroptosis., Burak Uzunparmak
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Caspase-8 (CASP8) is one of the most frequently mutated genes in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinomas (HNSCC), and mutations of CASP8 are associated with poor overall survival. The distribution of these mutations in HNSCC suggests that they are likely to be inactivating. Inhibition of CASP8 has been reported to sensitize cancer cells to necroptosis, a unique cell death mechanism. Here, we evaluated how CASP8 regulates necroptosis in HSNCC using cell line models and syngeneic mouse xenografts. In vitro, knockdown of CASP8 rendered HNSCCs susceptible to necroptosis induced by a second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) mimetic, Birinapant, when combined …
Protection Against Atherosclerosis By A Non-Native Pentameric Crp That Shares Its Ligand Recognition Functions With An Evolutionarily Distant Crp,
2020
East Tennessee State University
Protection Against Atherosclerosis By A Non-Native Pentameric Crp That Shares Its Ligand Recognition Functions With An Evolutionarily Distant Crp, Asmita Pathak
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein of the innate immune system that has been evolutionarily conserved. Human CRP is known to exist in two different pentameric conformations; native CRP and non-native CRP that possess differential ligand recognition functions. The structure of CRP evolved from arthropods to humans, in terms of subunit composition, disulfide bonds, and glycosylation pattern. Along with change in structure, the gene expression pattern of CRP also evolved from a constitutive protein in lower invertebrates to an acute phase protein in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the function of a non-native pentameric …
Electrophysiological Characterization Of The Inhibitory Effects Of 2-Amino-4-Bis (Aryloxy Benzyl) Amino Butanoic Acids On Alanine Serine Cysteine Transporter 2 And Sodium Coupled Neutral Amino Acid Transporter 2,
2020
Binghamton University--SUNY
Electrophysiological Characterization Of The Inhibitory Effects Of 2-Amino-4-Bis (Aryloxy Benzyl) Amino Butanoic Acids On Alanine Serine Cysteine Transporter 2 And Sodium Coupled Neutral Amino Acid Transporter 2, Paul Serguei Zakrepine
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Alanine Serine Cysteine Transporter 2 (ASCT2) is a member of the solute carrier 1A (SLC1A) family of transport proteins. It is a Na+ dependent, obligatory neutral amino acid exchanger with the capability to transport glutamine and it is a primary glutamine transport protein in cancer cells. This glutamine transport capability confers an important physiological role for ASCT2 in the maintenance of intracellular amino acid pools for various metabolic and cell signaling pathways. Because of this, ASCT2 is found to be overexpressed in many cancers, which rely heavily on glutamine as an essential nutrient for cell survival and growth. A wealth …
A Novel Mode Of Action Of C-Reactive Protein In Protecting Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae Infection And Synergy With Antibiotics,
2020
East Tennessee State University
A Novel Mode Of Action Of C-Reactive Protein In Protecting Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae Infection And Synergy With Antibiotics, Donald Ngwa
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a part of the innate immune system, is synthesized in the liver, its blood level increases in inflammatory states, and it binds to Streptococcus pneumoniae. The conformation of CRP is altered under conditions mimicking an inflammatory milieu and this non-native CRP also binds to immobilized/aggregated/pathogenic proteins. Experiments in mice have revealed that one of the functions of CRP is to protect against pneumococcal infection. For protection, CRP must be injected into mice within two hours of administering pneumococci, thus, CRP is protective against early-stage infection but not against late-stage infection. It is unknown how CRP protects …
Characterization Of Avidin And Case9 Single Protein Molecules By A Solid-State Nanopore Device,
2020
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Characterization Of Avidin And Case9 Single Protein Molecules By A Solid-State Nanopore Device, Haopeng Li
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The shape and charge of a protein play significant roles in protein dynamics in the biological system of humans and animals. Characterizing and quantifying the shape and charge of a protein at the single-molecule level remains a challenge. Solid-state nanopores made of silicon nitride (SiNx) have emerged as novel platforms for biosensing such as diagnostics for single-molecule detection and DNA sequencing. SSN detection is based on measuring the variations in ionic conductance as charged biomolecules translocate through nanometer-sized channels driven by an external voltage applied across the membrane. In this paper, we observe the translocation of asymmetric cylindrical structure CRISPR-Cas9 …
Utilizing Breathing Techniques To Maximize Training Performance,
2020
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Utilizing Breathing Techniques To Maximize Training Performance, Peyton Cater
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Anaerobic exercise causes metabolic acidosis to occur in the muscle, which is unfavorable for sustaining high intensity activity, as fatigue starts to set in. In order to compensate for the onset of fatigue produced by an acidic environment, respiratory alkalosis, induced by hyperventilation, can be performed to mitigate these effects. In contrast, research has shown that slowing down the breath rate, such as a two second inhale and three second exhale, has led to an increase in performance outcomes. Purpose: To investigate power output and the physiological responses after implementation of different breathing techniques during the recovery periods of intermittent …
Characterization Of Beryllium Ion Complexation In The Presence Of Biological Buffers Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry,
2020
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Characterization Of Beryllium Ion Complexation In The Presence Of Biological Buffers Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, Guillermo Alexander Ramirez
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Be2+ ion is a biologically active metal that is capable of binding to proteins and has been shown to affect various cellular processes. When treated with Be2+, certain cancer cells display cytostatic effects. GSK3β is a regulatory kinase involved in the β-catenin pathway that may be involved in producing these cytostatic effects when Be2+ binds to it. In order to determine binding parameters between Be2+ and GSK3β, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) can be utilized. However, titrations at physiological pH cannot be carried out due to Be2+ unique speciation at neutral pH ranges. Significant precipitation occurs at pH 6 and higher …
