Transcriptional And Post-Transcriptional Regulation Of Hepcidin And Iron Metabolism By Lipid Signaling In The Liver,
2015
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Transcriptional And Post-Transcriptional Regulation Of Hepcidin And Iron Metabolism By Lipid Signaling In The Liver, Sizhao Lu
Theses & Dissertations
Although iron is required for essential biological processes, excess iron is detrimental due to oxidative damage induced by iron-mediated Fenton reactions, which promote tissue injury. Cellular iron uptake, transport and storage must therefore be tightly regulated. This task is accomplished mainly through hepcidin, the key iron-regulatory hormone. Hepcidin is synthesized primarily in hepatocytes as a circulatory antimicrobial peptide. It controls iron metabolism by inhibiting iron absorption from the duodenum and iron release from reticuloendothelial macrophages. Besides synthesizing hepcidin, the liver plays an important role in maintaining iron homeostasis by serving as the main storage organ for excess iron. Patients with …
Role Of Ime4 Protein In Pho Regulon Of S.Cerevisiae.,
2015
University of New Orleans
Role Of Ime4 Protein In Pho Regulon Of S.Cerevisiae., Jenisha Ghimire
LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations
In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the IME4 methyltransferase, interacts genetically with methyl binding protein, Pho92, to affect the expression of PHO regulon target genes. Cells mutant in IME4 or PHO92 show increases in the RNA abundance of PHO regulon target genes. The increase in the RNA abundance of the PHO regulon target genes is not additive in the cells double mutant in IME4 and PHO92. Hence, Ime4 and Pho92 interact in a single pathway in PHO regulon. Surprisingly, cells overexpressing IME4 and MUM2 shows increase in some PHO regulon target genes, indicating that IME4 affects the PHO regulon target …
A Novel Synthetic Yeast For Enzymatic Biodigester Pretreatment,
2015
Purdue University
A Novel Synthetic Yeast For Enzymatic Biodigester Pretreatment, Tianyu Tan, Mark S. Aronson, Arren Liu, Jill H. Osterhus, Melissa Robins, Suraj Mohan, Erich Leazer, Bowman Clark, Alexa Petrucciani, Katherine Lowery, James Welch, Casey Martin, Helena Lysandrou, Michael E. Scharf, Jenna Rickus
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium
Lignin, a complex organic polymer, is a major roadblock to the efficiency of biofuel conversion as it both physically blocks carbohydrate substrates and poisons biomass degrading enzymes, even if broken down to monomer units. A pretreatment process is often applied to separate the lignin from biomass prior to biofuel conversion. However, contemporary methods of pretreatment require large amounts of energy, which may be economically uncompelling or unfeasible. Taking inspiration from several genes that have been isolated from termites and fungi which translate to enzymes that degrade lignin, we want to establish a novel “enzymatic pretreatment” system where microbes secrete these …
Elucidating The Role Of Hausp Ubiquitin Like Domains In The Catalytic Function Of Usp7,
2015
Purdue University
Elucidating The Role Of Hausp Ubiquitin Like Domains In The Catalytic Function Of Usp7, Anuj Patel, Nicole Davis, Andrew Mesecar
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium
Ubiquitin specific proteases (USPs) are a class of enzymes involved in myriad cellular processes. One USP of great interest due to its oncogenic properties is USP7. In normal conditions USP7 is closely regulated due to its responsibility for destabilizing the tumor suppressor, p53, through the deubiquitination of MDM2. In multiple myeloma cases, it appears the regulation of USP7 subsides, as it is largely overexpressed, leading to the inappropriate degradation of p53. Inhibition of USP7 could, therefore, prove a viable target for cancer therapy. A greater understanding of USP7’s function and structure can lead to more insight into how this enzyme …
How Many Particles Are Present In The Air? Bioaerosol Detection Using An Air Particle Counter,
2015
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
How Many Particles Are Present In The Air? Bioaerosol Detection Using An Air Particle Counter, Angie Pamela Rivera, Parag Vaishampayan
STAR Program Research Presentations
Relative cleanliness in terms of particle abundance in spacecraft assembly facilities is determined by particle counts carried out in clean rooms during resting conditions. Particle counters assess total particles and particle size distribution, but do not distinguish inert particles from biological particles, which may include bacterial spores that are resistant to standard cleanroom sterilization procedures. Current cleanroom certifications do not fully assess the effects of human presence on spacecraft contamination since humans are known symbionts to enumerate microorganisms and assessments are performed at rest when there is no human presence. In this study, contamination risks and bioburden in spacecraft assembly …
Conformational Dynamics Of Dnaa Protein Of Bacillus Anthracis In The Initiation Of Dna Replication: A Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Study,
2015
Rowan University
Conformational Dynamics Of Dnaa Protein Of Bacillus Anthracis In The Initiation Of Dna Replication: A Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Study, Meera J. Patel
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations
A precursor of the origin recognition complex proteins in eukaryotes, the DnaA protein, a single-subunit protein found in all prokaryotes, p1ays a significant role in the initiation of DNA replication. The DnaA protein in Gram-negative Escherichia coli (DnaAEC) identifies, binds and activates specific DNA sequences at the origin of replication, oriC, initiating the duplication of the prokaryotic genome. Using DnaAEC as a guide, we selected the full-length form of DnaA from Gram-positive Bacillus anthracis (DnaABA) as our model for studying. We have cloned, mutated, expressed and purified large quantities of DnaABA protein due to …
Coordinate Regulation Of The Wnt And Hippo Pathways By The Novel Ras Effector Nore1a.,
2015
University of Louisville
Coordinate Regulation Of The Wnt And Hippo Pathways By The Novel Ras Effector Nore1a., Marvin Lee Schmidt Jr.
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ras is the most frequently activated oncogene found in human cancer, but its mechanisms of action remain only partially understood. Ras activates multiple signaling pathways in order to promote transformation, but can also exhibit a potent ability to induce growth arrest and death. NORE1A (RASSF5) is a direct Ras effector that acts as a tumor suppressor promoting senescence and apoptosis. Its expression is frequently lost in human tumors and its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here I show that NORE1A forms a direct, Ras regulated, complex with β-TrCP, the substrate recognition component of the SCF-β-TrCP ubiquitin ligase complex. NORE1A also …
Investigating The Interaction Of Aurka And Ube2c In Colorectal Cancer Cells,
2015
The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Investigating The Interaction Of Aurka And Ube2c In Colorectal Cancer Cells, Apurva M. Hegde
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Among the many genomic aberrations previously implicated in colorectal cancer, recurrent amplification of chromosome 20q is frequently associated with liver metastasis. Previous research in our lab identified a gene signature on chromosome 20q associated with colorectal cancer progression. In this study, one of the genes in the signature, the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme UBE2C, was identified through preliminary bioinformatics analysis as a candidate for further examination of its role in CRC progression. Co-expression analysis of UBE2C in tumor-normal datasets from the public database Oncomine revealed all the …
Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation Reduces The Incidence Of Brain Metastasis In A Mouse Model Of Metastatic Breast Cancer,
2015
The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation Reduces The Incidence Of Brain Metastasis In A Mouse Model Of Metastatic Breast Cancer, Daniel L. Smith
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is a preventative whole-brain irradiation technique used to reduce the incidence of brain metastasis and improve overall survival in select patients with small cell lung cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A population of breast cancer patients – stage IV, HER2+ or triple-negative – has emerged as having a high risk of developing brain metastases. Because only 10-20% of breast cancer patients diagnosed with brain metastases survive longer than one year, in this high-risk population the benefit of PCI – potential for reduced incidence of brain metastasis and improved overall survival – may outweigh the risks – …
Direct Regulation Of Apoptosis By Linear Ubiqutin Chain Assembly Complex (Lubac) And Feedback Regulation Of Lubac Function By Caspases,
2015
The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Direct Regulation Of Apoptosis By Linear Ubiqutin Chain Assembly Complex (Lubac) And Feedback Regulation Of Lubac Function By Caspases, Donghyun Joo
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine that plays a role in various cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation (mainly through NF-κB signaling) and death (via apoptosis signaling). Recently, linear ubiquitination by LUBAC (linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex) was reported to have a regulatory function in TNF-α mediated NF-κB activation. Although LUBAC is suggested to control not only NF-kB signaling but also the apoptosis pathway, the precise mechanism of apoptosis regulation remains unknown. Moreover, NF-κB and apoptosis pathways have opposed but fundamental functions for various cellular processes. Although these two pathways actively interplay to balance the death and survival, the …
Histone H3 K4 Methylation Regulates The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Through Direct Binding Of Multiple Checkpoint Components And Cdc20,
2015
The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Histone H3 K4 Methylation Regulates The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Through Direct Binding Of Multiple Checkpoint Components And Cdc20, Andria C. Schibler
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Histone H3K4 methylation is conserved across species and is associated with active transcription. By using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we found histone H3K4 methylation has a previously unknown role in regulating mitosis through the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint. The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ensures duplicated chromosomes are segregated correctly and each daughter cell receives one full copy of the genome. Our data show SET1 mutants and histone H3K4 mutants display a resistance to the mitotic poison, benomyl. Moreover methylated histone H3 directly binds to Spindle Assembly Checkpoint proteins Bub3 and Mad2 as well as the activator of the Anaphase Promoting Complex (APC) protein …
The Presence Of Clostridium Difficile On Environmental Surfaces In Healthcare Facilities Pre- And Post-Decontamination Of Patient Rooms,
2015
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Presence Of Clostridium Difficile On Environmental Surfaces In Healthcare Facilities Pre- And Post-Decontamination Of Patient Rooms, Theresa Trice
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections related to receiving medical care. HAIs are responsible for an excess of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Though most HAIs rates are on the decline, Clostridium difficile infection rates are at an all-time high, primarily due to the persistence of C. difficile spores in the environment. In the United States, Clostridium difficile-related mortality rates per million have increased from 5.7 in 1999 to 23.7 in 2004, with an estimated 26,642 deaths due to Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs). Clostridium difficile is transmitted via the fecal-oral route or aerosolized endospores, but it can also be transmitted …
A Morpho-Physiological Analysis Of Diverse Drought Resistant And Sensitive Rice Genotypes To Identify Distinguishing Anatomical Root Phenes,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
A Morpho-Physiological Analysis Of Diverse Drought Resistant And Sensitive Rice Genotypes To Identify Distinguishing Anatomical Root Phenes, Clinton Philip Greub
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
A set of 37 genotypes selected from a survey of over 200 diverse germplasms, for their diverse drought tolerance mechanisms, were analyzed in this study for root physiological traits that are indicative of different drought resistance mechanisms. The genotypes include controls such as the drought sensitive IR64 and Nipponbare, along with the drought resistant Nagina 22 (N22) and Bengal landraces to identify distinguishing phenotypic features of resistant accessions. Anatomical traits studied include total areas of the cross-sections of the stele, cortex, aerenchyma, cortical-cell, and xylem tissue; the number of aerenchyma, xylem vessels, cortical cell file number and size that together …
Susceptibility Of Parkinson’S Disease Following Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury,
2015
Purdue University
Susceptibility Of Parkinson’S Disease Following Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury, Glen Howel Galicia Acosta
Open Access Theses
Blast injury-induced neurotrauma (BINT) is steadily increasing in prevalence due to escalated terror activity and constitutes the signature injury associated with current military conflicts. BINT produces significant neurological deficiencies and there is a growing concern that the injury may produce long-term consequences that affect the resilience and the performance of soldiers. One of the potential consequences is an increased susceptibility to Parkinson's disease (PD). A vital goal aimed at curtailing the post-deployment long-term consequences of blast injury-induced neurotrauma is to further our knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the escalation of post injury diseases. The purpose of this project is …
Comparison Of Different Modulators That Affect Macrophage Activation In Vitro,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Comparison Of Different Modulators That Affect Macrophage Activation In Vitro, Alda Alexa Díaz Pérez
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Inflammation is known as a mechanism to regulate and control infections as well as promote tissue repair. Macrophages (Mф) are known to be a major cell type in the initiation, sustainability and resolution of inflammation. Moreover, Mф are essential for the remodeling process that is also known as the wound healing response. The objective of this research was to compare five modulators (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), dexamethasone (DEX), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), iloprost, and resolvin D1 (RvD1) for their anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages in vitro. Then, Mф phenotype in terms of gene expression and secreted cytokine response was determined. Our study compared …
Treatment Strategies That Enhance The Efficacy And Selectivity Of Mitochondria-Targeted Anticancer Agents,
2015
Merrimack College
Treatment Strategies That Enhance The Efficacy And Selectivity Of Mitochondria-Targeted Anticancer Agents, Josephine S. Modica-Napolitano, Volkmar Weissig
Biology Faculty Publications
Nearly a century has passed since Otto Warburg first observed high rates of aerobic glycolysis in a variety of tumor cell types and suggested that this phenomenon might be due to an impaired mitochondrial respiratory capacity in these cells. Subsequently, much has been written about the role of mitochondria in the initiation and/or progression of various forms of cancer, and the possibility of exploiting differences in mitochondrial structure and function between normal and malignant cells as targets for cancer chemotherapy. A number of mitochondria-targeted compounds have shown efficacy in selective cancer cell killing in pre-clinical and early clinical testing, including …
Production And Characterization Of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Using Recombinant Technology,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Production And Characterization Of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Using Recombinant Technology, Emilio Duverna
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) also called amylin is an amyloid-forming protein; IAPP is a proteinaceous hormone that comprises 37 amino acid residues. It is secreted along with insulin from the pancreatic β-cells to help it regulate the uptake and removal of glucose in the bloodstream. IAPP has been observed in the amyloid deposits found in pancreatic β-cells of most patients suffering from type II diabetes mellitus. This research project aims at producing recombinant amylin peptide. To achieve this goal, we used the pBAD plasmid vector which we introduced into Escherichia coli to express the peptide. Although the vector was successfully …
Characterization Of The Effects Of Bfgf And Gsk3Β Inhibitors On Embryoid Bodies Derived From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Characterization Of The Effects Of Bfgf And Gsk3Β Inhibitors On Embryoid Bodies Derived From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells, Jonathan Earls
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Embryoid body (EB) formation is a common first step in many human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation protocols. Previous work suggests that EBs are sensitive to growth factor withdrawal if they are derived from hPSCs maintained in feeder independent media such as mTeSR1. To promote cell survival, EBs generated from mTeSR1-adapted hPSCs are sometimes cultured in a medium that contains basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a trophic factor often used in hPSC cultures to maintain self-renewal. This distinguishes feeder independent hPSCs from feeder dependent hPSCs. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of bFGF as well as …
Coupling Between Cytoplasmic Concentration Gradients Through Local Control Of Protein Mobility In The Caenorhabditis Elegans Zygote,
2015
Dartmouth College
Coupling Between Cytoplasmic Concentration Gradients Through Local Control Of Protein Mobility In The Caenorhabditis Elegans Zygote, Youjun Wu, Huaiying Zhang, Erik E. Griffin
Dartmouth Scholarship
Cell polarity is characterized by the asymmetric distribution of factors at the cell cortex and in the cytoplasm. Although mechanisms that establish cortical asymmetries have been characterized, less is known about how persistent cytoplasmic asymmetries are generated. During the asymmetric division of the Caenorhabditis elegans zygote, the PAR proteins orchestrate the segregation of the cytoplasmic RNA-binding proteins MEX-5/6 to the anterior cytoplasm and PIE-1, POS-1, and MEX-1 to the posterior cytoplasm. In this study, we find that MEX-5/6 control the segregation of GFP::PIE-1, GFP::POS-1, and GFP::MEX-1 by locally increasing their mobility in the anterior cytoplasm. Remarkably, PIE-1, POS-1, and MEX-1 …
Cyclic Rhamnosylated Elongation Factor P Establishes Antibiotic Resistance In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa,
2015
The Ohio State University
Cyclic Rhamnosylated Elongation Factor P Establishes Antibiotic Resistance In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Andrei Rajkovic, Sarah Erickson, Anne Witzky, Owen E. Branson, Jin Seo, Philip R. Gafken, Michael A. Frietas, Julian P. Whitelegge, Kym F. Faull, William Wiley Navarre, Andrew J. Darwin, Michael Ibba
Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research
Elongation factor P (EF-P) is a ubiquitous bacterial protein that is required for the synthesis of poly-proline motifs during translation. In Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, the posttranslational β-lysylation of Lys34 by the PoxA protein is critical for EF-P activity. PoxA is absent from many bacterial species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, prompting a search for alternative EF-P posttranslation modification pathways. Structural analyses of P. aeruginosa EF-P revealed the attachment of a single cyclic rhamnose moiety to an Arg residue at a position equivalent to that at which β-Lys is attached to E. coli EF-P. Analysis of the genomes …
