Identification And Characterization Of Novel Transporters Involved In The Co2 Concentrating Mechanism Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii,
2019
Louisiana State University
Identification And Characterization Of Novel Transporters Involved In The Co2 Concentrating Mechanism Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Ananya Mukherjee
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii possesses a CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) which helps in successful acclimation to low CO2 conditions. One of the main aspects of the CCM is bringing in inorganic carbon (Ci) into the cell as bicarbonate using Ci transporters. Current models of the CCM postulate that a series of ion transporters bring HCO3- from outside the cell to the thylakoid lumen where the carbonic anhydrase, CAH3, dehydrates accumulated HCO3- to CO2, raising the CO2 concentration for Rubisco. Previously, HCO3- transporters have been identified at both the …
Improving Coupled Enzyme Assays With Capillary Electrophoresis,
2019
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Improving Coupled Enzyme Assays With Capillary Electrophoresis, Thu Hoai Nguyen
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The goal of this project is to address limitations of coupled enzyme assays using capillary electrophoresis (CE). In some enzyme assays, it is ineffective to directly detect products and substrates spectroscopically (absorption or fluorescence). Coupling the enzyme-catalyzed reaction of interest with another enzyme-catalyzed reaction allows for indirect detection of product formation or substrate depletion for the target enzyme. While conventional coupled enzyme assays are facile for kinetic measurements, they can be problematic for inhibition screening due to spectral and inhibitor interferences. To address these limitations of coupled assays, CE has been used to develop enzyme assays for acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase …
Unified Methods For Feature Selection In Large-Scale Genomic Studies With Censored Survival Outcomes,
2019
Temple University
Unified Methods For Feature Selection In Large-Scale Genomic Studies With Censored Survival Outcomes, Lauren Spirko-Burns, Karthik Devarajan
COBRA Preprint Series
One of the major goals in large-scale genomic studies is to identify genes with a prognostic impact on time-to-event outcomes which provide insight into the disease's process. With rapid developments in high-throughput genomic technologies in the past two decades, the scientific community is able to monitor the expression levels of tens of thousands of genes and proteins resulting in enormous data sets where the number of genomic features is far greater than the number of subjects. Methods based on univariate Cox regression are often used to select genomic features related to survival outcome; however, the Cox model assumes proportional hazards …
Mechanisms To Regulate Genes Encoding Clinically Relevant Multidrug Transporters At The Crossroads Of Antibiotic Resistance And Oxidative Stress Detection,
2019
Louisiana State University
Mechanisms To Regulate Genes Encoding Clinically Relevant Multidrug Transporters At The Crossroads Of Antibiotic Resistance And Oxidative Stress Detection, Afsana Sabrin
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Regulators (MarRs) are DNA binding proteins involved in bacterial survival and pathogenesis. My PhD dissertation focuses on a MarR homolog, OstR, which regulates genes encoding major multidrug transporters, a resistance-nodulation-division (RND) and an E. coli multidrug resistance B (EmrB) efflux pump homolog in Burkholderia thailandensis. The ostR gene is divergently oriented from genes encoding a hypothetical protein (Hyp) and an RND transporter and adjacent to a gene encoding an EmrB transporter. OstR binds to the promoters of each gene (Kd = 64.9 ± 8.0 nM, Kd = 126.1 ± 10.9 nM and K …
Purification And Characterization Of A Nonspecific Lipid Transfer Protein 1 (Nsltp1) From Ajwain (Trachyspermum Ammi) Seeds,
2019
Chapman University
Purification And Characterization Of A Nonspecific Lipid Transfer Protein 1 (Nsltp1) From Ajwain (Trachyspermum Ammi) Seeds, Meshal Nazeer, Humera Waheed, Maria Saeed, Saman Yousuf Ali, M. Iqbal Choudhary, Zaheer Ul-Haq, Aftab Ahmed
Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research
Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) belongs to the family Umbelliferae, is commonly used in traditional, and folk medicine due to its carminative, stimulant, antiseptic, diuretic, antihypertensive, and hepatoprotective activities. Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) reported from various plants are known to be involved in transferring lipids between membranes and in plants defense response. Here, we describe the complete primary structure of a monomeric non-specific lipid transfer protein 1 (nsLTP1), with molecular weight of 9.66 kDa, from ajwain seeds. The nsLTP1 has been purified by combination of chromatographic techniques, and further characterized by mass spectrometry, and Edman degradation. The ajwain nsLTP1 …
Molecular Rotation In 3 Dimensions At An Air/Water Interface Using Femtosecond Time Resolved Sum Frequency Generation,
2019
Utah State University
Molecular Rotation In 3 Dimensions At An Air/Water Interface Using Femtosecond Time Resolved Sum Frequency Generation, Yi Rao, Yuqin Qian, Gang-Hua Deng, Ashlie Kinross, Nicholas J. Turro, Kenneth B. Eisenthal
Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications
This paper presents the first study of the rotations of rigid molecules in 3 dimensions at the air/water interface, using the femtosecond time resolved sum frequency generation (SFG) technique. For the purpose of this research, the aromatic dye molecule C153 was chosen as an example of a molecule having two functional groups that are SFG active, one being the hydrophilic −−C==O group and the other the hydrophobic −−CF3 group. From polarized SFG measurements, the orientations of the two chromophores with respect to the surface normal were obtained. On combining these results with the known relative orientation of the two …
Supervised Dimension Reduction For Large-Scale "Omics" Data With Censored Survival Outcomes Under Possible Non-Proportional Hazards,
2019
Temple University
Supervised Dimension Reduction For Large-Scale "Omics" Data With Censored Survival Outcomes Under Possible Non-Proportional Hazards, Lauren Spirko-Burns, Karthik Devarajan
COBRA Preprint Series
The past two decades have witnessed significant advances in high-throughput ``omics" technologies such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics and radiomics. These technologies have enabled simultaneous measurement of the expression levels of tens of thousands of features from individual patient samples and have generated enormous amounts of data that require analysis and interpretation. One specific area of interest has been in studying the relationship between these features and patient outcomes, such as overall and recurrence-free survival, with the goal of developing a predictive ``omics" profile. Large-scale studies often suffer from the presence of a large fraction of censored observations and potential …
Living, Learning, And Leading At Linfield College,
2019
Linfield College
Living, Learning, And Leading At Linfield College, Kelsey Bruce
Student Engagement Posters
Kelsey Bruce discusses student engagement at Linfield College with regard to leadership through student/faculty collaborative research with Dr. Megan Bestwick, speech and debate, and the Linfield Residence Life team.
Global Biochemical And Structural Analysis Of The Type Iv Pilus From The Gram-Positive Bacterium Streptococcus Sanguinis,
2019
Imperial College London
Global Biochemical And Structural Analysis Of The Type Iv Pilus From The Gram-Positive Bacterium Streptococcus Sanguinis, Jamie-Lee Berry, Ishwori Gurung, Jan Haug Anonsen, Ingrid Spielman, Elliot Harper, Alexander M. J. Hall, Vivianne J. Goosens, Claire Raynaud, Michael Koomey, Nicolas Biais, Steve Matthews, Vladimir Pelicic
Publications and Research
Type IV pili (Tfp) are functionally versatile filaments, widespread in prokaryotes, that belong to a large class of filamentous nanomachines known as type IV filaments (Tff). Although Tfp have been extensively studied in several Gram-negative pathogens where they function as key virulence factors, many aspects of their biology remain poorly understood. Here, we performed a global biochemical and structural analysis of Tfp in a recently emerged Gram-positive model, Streptococcus sanguinis. In particular, we focused on the five pilins and pilin-like proteins involved in Tfp biology in S. sanguinis. We found that the two major pilins, PilE1 and PilE2, (i) follow …
Molecular Relatedness Of Two Distinct Type Iv Crispr-Associated (Cas) Proteins,
2019
Utah State University
Molecular Relatedness Of Two Distinct Type Iv Crispr-Associated (Cas) Proteins, Matt Armbrust
Research on Capitol Hill
CRISPR-Cas systems are prokaryotic adaptive immune systems. Bacteria use CRISPR systems as a defense against foreign nucleic acid invasion such as phage infection.
Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence,
2019
Loyola University Chicago
Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence, Martina Schmeling
Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works
Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry is a non-destructive and surface sensitive multi-element analytical method based on energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with detection limits in the lower picogram range. It utilizes the total reflection of the primary X-ray beam at or below the critical angle of incidence. At this angle, the fluorescence intensity is substantially enhanced for samples present as small granular residue or as thin homogenous layer deposited at the surface of a thick substrate. Generally, two types of application exist: micro- and trace-analysis as well as surface and thin-layer analysis. For micro- and traceanalysis, a small amount …
Targeted Therapy For The Future: The Use Of Novel Antimicrobial Peptides Against P. Aeurginosa,
2019
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Targeted Therapy For The Future: The Use Of Novel Antimicrobial Peptides Against P. Aeurginosa, Matthew Froid
UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair
Pathogenic bacteria, such as the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are becoming resistant to our current arsenal of antibiotics at an alarming rate. P. aeruginosa is a leading cause of nosocomial acquired infections and is a primary co-morbidity in patients with compromised immune systems. One potential source of new antibiotic agents is antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins, and some have shown a high degree of efficacy and broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. An experimental AMP that has been developed by Dr. Wang at UNMC, DASamp2, has shown to be effective against virulent bacteria, including P. …
Large Scale Dynamical Model Of Macrophage/Hiv Interactions,
2019
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Large Scale Dynamical Model Of Macrophage/Hiv Interactions, Matthew M. Froid
UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair
Properties emerge from the dynamics of large-scale molecular networks that are not discernible at the individual gene or protein level. Mathematical models - such as probabilistic Boolean networks - of molecular systems offer a deeper insight into how these emergent properties arise. Here, we introduce a non-linear, deterministic Boolean model of protein, gene, and chemical interactions in human macrophage cells during HIV infection. Our model is composed of 713 nodes with 1583 interactions between nodes and is responsive to 38 different inputs including signaling molecules, bacteria, viruses, and HIV viral particles. Additionally, the model accurately simulates the dynamics of over …
Alternative Nad(P)H Dehydrogenase And Alternative Oxidase: Proposed Physiological Roles In Animals,
2019
Wilfrid Laurier University
Alternative Nad(P)H Dehydrogenase And Alternative Oxidase: Proposed Physiological Roles In Animals, Allison Mcdonald, Dmytro V. Gospodaryov
Biology Faculty Publications
The electron transport systems in mitochondria of many organisms contain alternative respiratory enzymes distinct from those of the canonical respiratory system depicted in textbooks. Two of these enzymes, the alternative NADH dehydrogenase and the alternative oxidase, were of interest to a limited circle of researchers until they were envisioned as gene therapy tools for mitochondrial disease treatment. Recently, these enzymes were discovered in several animals. Here, we analyse the functioning of alternative NADH dehydrogenases and oxidases in different organisms. We propose that both enzymes ensure bioenergetic and metabolic flexibility during environmental transitions or other conditions which may compromise the operation …
Total Synthesis Of Anticancer Agent Deoxypodophyllotoxin And Antiviral F4-4 Demonstrating The Utility Of The Intramolecular Styryl Diels-Alder (Isda) Reaction,
2019
Brigham Young University
Total Synthesis Of Anticancer Agent Deoxypodophyllotoxin And Antiviral F4-4 Demonstrating The Utility Of The Intramolecular Styryl Diels-Alder (Isda) Reaction, Diana Isabel Saavedra Nova
Theses and Dissertations
The intramolecular styryl Diels – Alder (ISDA) reaction is a rare and unique [4+2] cycloaddition with potential in the syntheses of polycycles. Its utility is based on the formation of two rings and one stereocenter in a single step, making it an efficient method for the construction of lignan-type natural product targets. Detailed mechanistic studies with complex esters and the application to natural product synthesis has been limited due to drawbacks including the loss of aromaticity, producing slow reactivity, a potentially problematic thermal [1,3]-hydrogen shift, and electronic mismatch related to the substituents on the aryl functional groups. In this research, …
Escaping Death: Naloxone's Chemical Nature And Potential To Combat The Opioid Epidemic,
2019
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Escaping Death: Naloxone's Chemical Nature And Potential To Combat The Opioid Epidemic, Abigale Miller
Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)
Naloxone is a life-saving drug with the ability to reverse an opioid overdose. As the opioid epidemic’s death toll rises, we can turn to Naloxone as a tool to combat the crisis. The epidemic, born of corruption, has a wide reach among the people of the United States, with especially firm grasps on middle-aged people, sufferers of chronic pain, white Americans and those living in the eastern portion of the country. Naloxone’s elegant design saves lives by effectively competing for a position on an opioid biding receptor in the brain to almost instantly end an overdose and restore normal breathing. …
Advanced Selection Methodologies For Dnazymes In Sensing And Healthcare Applications,
2019
Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology
Advanced Selection Methodologies For Dnazymes In Sensing And Healthcare Applications, Sandeep Kumar, Shikha Jain, Neeraj Dilbaghi, Amrik Singh Ahluwalia, Ashraf Aly Hassan, Ki-Hyun Kim
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications
DNAzymes have been widely explored owing to their excellent catalytic activity in a broad range of applications, notably in sensing and biomedical devices. These newly discovered applications have built high hopes for designing novel catalytic DNAzymes. However, the selection of efficient DNAzymes is a challenging process but one that is of crucial importance. Initially, systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was a labor-intensive and time-consuming process, but recent advances have accelerated the automated generation of DNAzyme molecules. This review summarizes recent advances in SELEX that improve the affinity and specificity of DNAzymes. The thriving generation of new DNAzymes …
Transition State Interactions In A Promiscuous Enzyme: Sulfate And Phosphate Monoester Hydrolysis By Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Arylsulfatase,
2019
University of Cambridge
Transition State Interactions In A Promiscuous Enzyme: Sulfate And Phosphate Monoester Hydrolysis By Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Arylsulfatase, Bert Van Loo, Ryan Berry, Usa Boonyuen, Mark F. Mohamed, Marko Golicnik, Alvan C. Hengge, Florian Hollfelder
Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications
Pseudomonas aeruginosa arylsulfatase (PAS) hydrolyses sulfate and, promiscuously, phosphate monoesters. Enzyme-catalyzed sulfate transfer is crucial to a wide variety of biological processes, but detailed studies of the mechanistic contributions to its catalysis are lacking. We present linear free energy relationships (LFERs) and kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) of PAS and active site mutants that suggest a key role for leaving group (LG) stabilization. In LFERs PASWT has a much less negative Brønsted coefficient (ßleaving group obs-Enz=-0.33) than the uncatalyzed reaction (ßleaving group obs=-1.81). This situation is diminished when cationic active site groups are exchanged for alanine. …
Allosteric Mechanism Of The Circadian Protein Vivid Resolved Through Markov State Model And Machine Learning Analysis,
2019
Southern Methodist University
Allosteric Mechanism Of The Circadian Protein Vivid Resolved Through Markov State Model And Machine Learning Analysis, Hongyu Zhou, Zheng Dong, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Brian D. Zoltowski, Peng Tao
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
The fungal circadian clock photoreceptor Vivid (VVD) contains a photosensitive allosteric light, oxygen, voltage (LOV) domain that undergoes a large N-terminal conformational change. The mechanism by which a blue-light driven covalent bond formation leads to a global conformational change remains unclear, which hinders the further development of VVD as an optogenetic tool. We answered this question through a novel computational platform integrating Markov state models, machine learning methods, and newly developed community analysis algorithms. Applying this new integrative approach, we provided a quantitative evaluation of the contribution from the covalent bond to the protein global conformational change, and proposed an …
Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Grant Report,
2019
Linfield College
Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Grant Report, Megan Bestwick
Post-Grant Reports
Mitochondria are essential organelles in most eukaryotic cells because of their role in metabolism and the production of ATP by the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway, as well as other key cellular processes. Metal cofactors, such as copper (Cu) and iron (Fe), are incorporated into OXPHOS protein complexes of yeast located within the inner membrane of the mitochondria. Misincorporation or modulation of these available metals in mitochondrial enzymes leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are reactive molecules containing oxygen such as peroxides, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals. Yeast are a good model for studying aging and the effect …
