Investigating The Effects Of Catalytic Activity In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Indole-3-Glycerol Phosphate Synthase In Wildtype, N189l, And E57d Variants,
2021
Montclair State University
Investigating The Effects Of Catalytic Activity In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Indole-3-Glycerol Phosphate Synthase In Wildtype, N189l, And E57d Variants, Sarah S. Cho
Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects
Indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthesis (IGPS) is an enzyme that catalyzes the ring closure in 1-(o-carboxylphenylamino)-1-deoxyribulose 5-phosphate (CdRP). Multiple steps are expected to be involved in formation of the pyrrole ring including dehydration, decarboxylation, cyclization, and condensation. IGPS is an essential protein in the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a potential target in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis. In order to better understand the function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis IGPS (mtIGPS), we introduced single-point mutations into active site residues. This was based on the hypothesis that introducing mutations would affect the catalysis in a way where we would be able to obtain more information …
Vertical Metal Distributions In Brownfield Soils Drive Enzyme Activities And Plant Success,
2021
Montclair State University
Vertical Metal Distributions In Brownfield Soils Drive Enzyme Activities And Plant Success, Eshariah N. Dyson
Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects
The distribution of contaminants in polluted soils can vary through depth. We measured the vertical distributions of heavy metals and enzyme activities in the top 10 cm of side-by-side, vegetated and barren brownfield soils. The data showed metals significantly accumulated in the top 2 cm of barren soil and uniformly distributed through vegetated soil. When planted, germination rate was significantly lower in the previously barren soil, with the metal layer intact, compared to mixed barren soil. These data suggest a feedback loop in which plant roots redistribute metals, diluting metal-rich regions, yet germination remains initially limited by a metal cap. …
Ampa And Kainate Receptor-Potentiating Rna Aptamers,
2021
University at Albany, State University of New York
Ampa And Kainate Receptor-Potentiating Rna Aptamers, Janet L. Lynch
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Glutamate receptors act to bring about excitatory transmission in the central nervous system. The receptors are divided into two groups: ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Ionotropic glutamate receptors are ion channels which are activated by an agonist such as glutamate or kainate. The main receptors in the ionotropic glutamate receptor family are the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In the central nervous system ionotropic glutamate receptors are found both pre- and postsynaptically. It has been found that most AMPA and NMDA receptors are postsynaptic receptors while the kainate receptors can be pre- or postsynaptic. Underactivity of these …
The Effect Of The Apolipoprotein A1 (Apoa1): The Stability And Folding In Potassium Chloride Environment,
2021
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The Effect Of The Apolipoprotein A1 (Apoa1): The Stability And Folding In Potassium Chloride Environment, Alexandra Paladian
Honors Theses
Healthy levels of potassium chloride (KCl) can significantly affect the workings of the cholesterol level of the human body and how they pertain to an individual person. The search for a better salt additive for the human diet can provide a better option for people who experience high cholesterol levels and heart disease. The study focuses on the experimental design of the Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation of the Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) in the potassium ion solution environment to determine the stability and folding of the protein. The study also compares its data to the previous experimental design of chloride ions …
Molecular Dynamic Simulation Of The Complex Folding Patterns Of Apolipoprotein A1 In Various Concentrations Of Potassium Chloride,
2021
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Molecular Dynamic Simulation Of The Complex Folding Patterns Of Apolipoprotein A1 In Various Concentrations Of Potassium Chloride, Hannah Holmberg
Honors Theses
Apopliprotein or ApoA-1 is a complex lipoprotein that functions in the removal of cholesterol from the blood, removing cholesterol from the area around white blood cells and promoting the excretion of lipids through the lymphatic system. Previous research has found that ApoA-1 shows both folded and unfolded conformations depending on the concentration of NaCl in solution in the water around it. The protein was studied using molecular dynamics simulations. Once this state of equilibrium was reached, various structural properties of the protein were measured including the radius of gyration and the radial distribution function. The goal of the project was …
Discovery Of Novel Ubiquitin- And Methylation-Dependent Interactions Using Protein Domain Microarrays,
2021
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Discovery Of Novel Ubiquitin- And Methylation-Dependent Interactions Using Protein Domain Microarrays, Jianji Chen
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) drive signal transduction by interacting with "reader" proteins. Protein domain microarray is a high throughput platform to identify novel readers for PTMs. In this dissertation, I applied two protein domain microarrays identifying novel readers for histone H2Aub1 and H2Bub1, and H3TM K4me3. Ubiquitinations of histone H2A at K119 (H2Aub1) and histone H2B at K120 (H2Bub1) function in distinct transcription regulation and DNA damage repair pathways, likely mediated by specific "reader" proteins. There are only two H2Aub1-specific readers identified and no known H2Bub1-specific readers. Using a ubiquitin-binding domain microarray, I discovered the phospholipase A2-activating protein (PLAA) PFU domain …
Investigating A Novel Function For Phosphoserine Aminotransferase 1 (Psat1) In Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (Egfr)-Mediated Lung Tumorigenesis.,
2021
University of Louisville
Investigating A Novel Function For Phosphoserine Aminotransferase 1 (Psat1) In Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (Egfr)-Mediated Lung Tumorigenesis., Rumeysa Biyik-Sit
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) catalyzes the second enzymatic step within the serine synthetic pathway (SSP) and its expression is elevated in numerous human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant NSCLC is characterized by activating mutations within its tyrosine kinase domain and accounts for 17% of lung adenocarcinomas. Although elevated SSP activity has been observed in EGFR-mutant lung cancer cells, the involvement of PSAT1 in EGFR-mediated oncogenesis is still unclear. Here, we explore a putative non-canonical function for PSAT1 using biochemical approaches to elucidate unknown interacting proteins and genomic RNA-seq profiling to identify cellular …
Pectin And Alginate Extraction To Treat Liquid Cafo Manure,
2021
Bowling Green State University
Pectin And Alginate Extraction To Treat Liquid Cafo Manure, Clare Sunderman
Honors Projects
For this project, various extraction methods were used to extract pectin from Pastinaca Sativa and alginate from Macrocystis. These extractions were then dried and used in treating 250mL of manure along with a CaCl2 or FeCl3 coagulant. It was found that CaCl2 was not as effective as FeCl3 in coagulating manure. But the results obtained suggest that pectin and alginate obtained with a simpler extraction method is just as effective as the highly purified and refined pectin and alginate produced for the food industry, in the treatment of CAFO manure. The liquid portion of the …
The Biochemical Characterization Of Aza197 And A Ras Related Protein Cdc42,
2021
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Biochemical Characterization Of Aza197 And A Ras Related Protein Cdc42, Alix Montoya-Beltran
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Eukaryotic cells contain an extensive amount of GTP/GDP binding proteins. Proteins known as Ras GTPase primary function as a binary switch, where they cycle from an on and off state when GTP or GDP are bound, respectively. They are known to play a critical role in many cellular functions where a dysregulation could potentially lead to oncogenic behavior or other malignancies. In our laboratory, our focus is the study of a Ras related protein Cell division control 42 homolog (Cdc42) which belongs to the Rho subfamily. Cdc42 plays a critical role in many biological signaling processes; therefore, its uncontrol gene …
Studies Of The Dutpase Of The Western Corn Rootworm,
2021
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Studies Of The Dutpase Of The Western Corn Rootworm, Carlos A. Riera-Ruiz
School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is a major corn pest in the United States and Europe. WCR has developed resistance to multiple management strategies, including Cry proteins. Even though the biology and ecology have been thoroughly studied in WCR, their genome and molecular mechanisms are understudied. This work focuses on the ubiquitous enzyme deoxyuridine triphosphatase (dUTPase) encoded by the DUT gene. dUTPase hydrolyzes dUTP into dUMP and pyrophosphate. It contributes to genome stability by keeping the uracil-to-thymine ratio at a certain level. In WCR, two dUTPase isoforms were predicted using transcriptome analyses. These two potential isoforms …
Biochemical Characterization Of Small Molecule Inhibitor Binding On A Ras Related Gtpase And Its Effector Interactions,
2021
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Biochemical Characterization Of Small Molecule Inhibitor Binding On A Ras Related Gtpase And Its Effector Interactions, Djamali Muhoza
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The Ras superfamily of GTPases has 167 proteins that are involved in various cellular processes such as proliferation, transformation, migration, and inhibition of cell death. Mutations, abnormal expression, and function of these proteins are observed in many diseases, including several forms of cancer. Even though these GTPases were among the first discovered oncogenes, no successful Ras drug candidate has successfully passed clinical trials. Drugs targeting these proteins have failed mainly because of the complexity of their regulation, their high affinity to GTP, and their structure’s dynamic nature. Recently, novel promising targeting approaches have renewed interest in the Ras drug discovery …
Remote Performance Modulation Of Ultrafiltration Membranes By Magnetically And Thermally Responsive Polymer Chains,
2021
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Remote Performance Modulation Of Ultrafiltration Membranes By Magnetically And Thermally Responsive Polymer Chains, Arijit Sengupta, Anh Vu, Xianghong Qian, Sumith R. Wickramasinghe
Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations
Ultrafiltration membranes, that respond to an external magnetic field and local temperature have been developed. Surface-initiated activator-generated electron transfer (AGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) has been used to graft poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) from the surface of 300 kDa regenerated cellulose membranes. The polymerization initiator was selectively attached to the entire membrane surface, only the outer membrane surface or only the inner pore surface. A superparamagnetic nanoparticle was attached to the end of the polymer chain. The DI water flux as well as the flux and rejection of bovine serum albumin were investigated in the absence and presence of a 20 …
Detailed Analysis Of The Role Of Mtr4 Arch Domain In Rna Binding And Helicase Activity,
2021
Utah State University
Detailed Analysis Of The Role Of Mtr4 Arch Domain In Rna Binding And Helicase Activity, Keith J. Olsen
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023
The central dogma of biology states that DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into protein. However, this concept portrays RNA purely as an intermediary step from DNA to protein. RNA plays an essential and vital role in a cell, including; regulating protein and RNA levels, act as a template for protein synthesis, cell differentiation, regulatory processes, and signaling molecules. If cells do not adequately monitor and regulate RNA levels, it can lead to disease states and even cell death. The main protein complex that regulates the maturation and degradation of RNA in the nucleus is the RNA nuclear …
The Discovery And Analysis Of Peroxidase Enzyme In Pueraria Montana,
2021
Liberty University
The Discovery And Analysis Of Peroxidase Enzyme In Pueraria Montana, Kathryn Briley
Senior Honors Theses
Peroxidase enzymes are used for a variety of industrial and biotechnological applications because of their ease of purification, broad range of chemical activities, and low cost of use. Identification of quality peroxidase sources that are convenient for enzymatic isolation and give way to high yields of product is a desirable pursuit in biochemical research. Kudzu is an excellent candidate for this pursuit as it displays high catalytic activity in screening assays and is found in abundance. This project seeks to determine the enzyme stability, optimal pH conditions, and possible novel chemical activities of peroxidase isolated from kudzu leaves. The methods …
An Investigation Of K2 Mycobacteriophage Lysin A Proteins,
2021
Providence College
An Investigation Of K2 Mycobacteriophage Lysin A Proteins, Ethan Dionne
Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Scholarship
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kathleen Cornely, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Investigations Into The Cellular Target Of 4-Trifluoromethoxy Chalcone Via Darts Method,
2021
Bellarmine University
Investigations Into The Cellular Target Of 4-Trifluoromethoxy Chalcone Via Darts Method, Jordan Stacy
Undergraduate Theses
Cellular drug target discovery is an important step in any drugs journey from bench to bedside. This is true for our lab's molecule of interest, the Chalcone. The Chalcone molecule and its derivatives have been identified as small, plant-derived secondary metabolites that, when interacting with human cancer cell lines, trigger apoptotic pathways leading to varying levels of cell death. One derivative, 4-Trifluoromethoxy Chalcone (4TFM), was identified through screenings as inducing the highest death rate in A549 cancer cells, in conjunction with having the lowest IC50, making it a good candidate to use in searching for the currently unknown cellular target …
Antibacterial And Antioxidant Potential Of A Novel Plant, Eriodictyon Californicum, And Its Healing Abilities,
2021
Bellarmine University
Antibacterial And Antioxidant Potential Of A Novel Plant, Eriodictyon Californicum, And Its Healing Abilities, Allie Richards
Undergraduate Theses
Our body is under constant attack of oxidative stress (OS). OS is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis and progression of various chronic diseases such as diabetics, rheumatoid arthritis, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, aging and more. The main cause of OS is free radicals, which are continuously generated in our body during normal metabolic processes. These free radicals have the potential to damage any of our key biomolecules. To protect ourselves from the toxic effect of free radicals the human body has a built-in army of antioxidants that play an important role in the …
Europium Sulfide Nanoprobes Predict Antiretroviral Drug
Delivery Into Hiv-1 Cell And Tissue Reservoirs,
2021
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Europium Sulfide Nanoprobes Predict Antiretroviral Drug Delivery Into Hiv-1 Cell And Tissue Reservoirs, Jonathan Herskovitz, Mahmudul Hasan, Jatin Machhi, Insiya Mukadam, Brendan M. Ottemann, James R. Hilaire, Christopher Woldstad, Joellyn Mcmillan, Yutong Liu, Javier Seravalli, Anandakumar Sarella, Howard E. Gendelman, Bhavesh D. Kevadiya
Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications
Background: Delivery of long-acting nanoformulated antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to human immunodeficiency virus type one cell and tissue reservoirs underlies next generation antiretroviral therapeutics. Nanotheranostics, comprised of trackable nanoparticle adjuncts, can facilitate ARV delivery through real-time drug tracking made possible through bioimaging platforms. Methods: To model HIV-1 therapeutic delivery, europium sulfide (EuS) nanoprobes were developed, characterized and then deployed to cells, tissues, and rodents. Tests were performed with nanoformulated rilpivirine (NRPV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used clinically to suppress or prevent HIV-1 infection. First, CD4+ T cells and monocyte-derived macrophages were EuS-treated with and without endocytic blockers to identify …
The Analysis Of Folate-Dependent Transcription Factor Zinc Finger Protein 410,
2021
Liberty University
The Analysis Of Folate-Dependent Transcription Factor Zinc Finger Protein 410, Feifan Xu
Senior Honors Theses
A previous study that introduced dietary folate to mice in the form of folic acid to determine if gene activity would be altered based on this biological molecule demonstrated that mice without folic acid had cognition deficits, and this phenomenon was correlated with altered gene expression in their brains. The included bioinformatic analysis revealed two main transcription factors that bind to proteins in the nucleus, and one is known as the Zinc Finger Protein 410 (Zfp410). Due to the lack of literature explaining the function of this transcription factor, this project is intended to analyze Zfp410 in detail from scratch. …
216— Loss Of Function Mutation For Tp53 Does Not Rescue The Chaf1bNt2 Small-Eye Phenotype In Danio Rerio,
2021
SUNY Geneseo
216— Loss Of Function Mutation For Tp53 Does Not Rescue The Chaf1bNt2 Small-Eye Phenotype In Danio Rerio, Alex Parks
GREAT Day Posters
In Zebrafish, the chromosome assembly factor 1b (chaf1b) gene is in part responsible for the development of the eye. In homozygous chaf1bt24412 mutants retinal cell death is promoted through cell-death promoting activity of the gene, tumor suppressor protein p53 (tp53), resulting in a small-eye phenotype. Another allele chaf1bnt2, was found to also result in the small-eye phenotype when in a homozygous state. We found that knockdown of Tp53 protein via morpholino antisense oligonucleotide injection of 1-2 cell stage embryos failed to rescue retinal cell death of chaf1bnt2 homozygous mutants as detected by TUNEL labeling. Because morpholinos may fail to fully …
