Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

Plaster Creek Stewards Green Team Initiative, Michael Akpabey, David E. Martinez Vasquez, David P. Warners

Student Papers and Reports

No abstract provided.

Investigating Chitosan Modified With Triethylammonium Butanamide And Triethylphosphonium Butanamide As Non-Viral Gene Delivery Vectors By Examining Cytotoxicity And Transfection Efficiency, Deborah C. Ehie

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Gene therapy is a very challenging field, especially with new emerging genetic disorders. Chitosan (CS), due to chitosan’s flexibility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, has been of interest in the world of gene therapy especially as researchers are gravitating towards non-viral vectors due to the problems caused by viral vectors. Nevertheless, there are still issues regarding solubility, cellular uptake of cargos being transported in vitro or in vivo, increased cytotoxicity levels, as well as many other things that prevent chitosan from being an efficient gene delivery agent. Here I present five derivatives of chitosan, which were all modified with either triethylphosphonium …

Exploring In Vivo And In Vitro Regulation Of The Shigella Type Three Secterion System Atpase Spa47, Heather B. Case

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Diarrheal disease is caused by a diverse group of enteric pathogens and is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. Some of the most common causes of diarrheal disease are bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Cholera, and Shigella. Many bacterial enteric pathogens use a type three secretion system (T3SS) to cause infection. The T3SS uses a needle and syringe like apparatus that allows the bacteria to inject proteins into the host cell to cause infection. Striking similarities in T3SSs from all pathogens that utilize them makes the T3SS an attractive target for …

Comparative Transcriptomics Of Rice Genotypes With Contrasting Responses To Nitrogen Stress Reveals Genes Influencing Nitrogen Uptake Through The Regulation Of Root Architecture, Prasanta K. Subudhi, Richard S. Garcia, Sapphire Coronejo, Ronald Tapia

Faculty Publications

The indiscriminate use of nitrogenous fertilizers continues unabated for commercial crop production, resulting in air and water pollution. The development of rice varieties with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) will require a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of a plant's response to low nitrogen (N) availability. The global expression profiles of root tissues collected from low and high N treatments at different time points in two rice genotypes, Pokkali and Bengal, with contrasting responses to N stress and contrasting root architectures were examined. Overall, the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Pokkali (indica) was higher than in Bengal …

Tgfbeta1 And Stat3 As Regulators Of The Ha Synthesis And Signaling Pathway, Brenda Goretty Trevizo

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The studies described here explored the role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 (TGFβ1) and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) as potential regulators of the Hyaluronic Acid (HA) synthesis and signaling pathway in human mammary cells. Our results support previous findings in which TGFβ1, a well characterized driver of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to regulate HA synthesis and signaling. Interrogation of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) indicated HAS2 expression positively correlated with TGFβ1 mRNA expression in breast cancer patients and in breast cancer cell lines. RT-qPCR experiments were used to measure the expression of the …

Characterization Of Human Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase Enzymes Responsible For L-Proline Biosynthesis, Sagar Patel

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductases (EC 1.5.1.2) are important housekeeping enzymes of L-proline biosynthesis, which generate L-proline and influence redox cycling of NAD(P)H/NAD(P)⁺ to support cellular growth in all domains of life. Structural evidence from X-ray crystal structures of HsPYCR1 (PDB codes 5UAT, 5UAU, and 5UAV) shows both NADPH bound in the N-terminal Rao-Rossmann fold motif and an important hydrogen bond or proton donor role for Thr238 with L-P5C. The Thr238Ala mutation results in 10-fold loss in catalytic efficiency with varied L-P5C relative to the wild-type enzyme, thus indicating Thr238’s potential hydrogen bond and proton donation to L-P5C is critical for catalysis. …

Multifaceted Mechanism Of Vps1 Mediated Endosome-To-Golgi Fusion In Vitro, Ehsan Suez

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

To maintain cell homeostasis, protein recycling through intracellular membrane fusion is an important cellular process. Both Vps1 and Ypt6 have been implicated in protein recycling from the endosome to the trans-Golgi Network (TGN). SNARE proteins are thought to be the key regulator in this membrane fusion mediated protein recycling mechanism. I studied membrane fusion events by incorporating purified proteins into liposomes. A series of data suggest that high concentration of SNARE proteins inhibits fusion unlike the opposite popular notion. Also, the data suggests that Vps1 acts on membrane fusion dynamics in a manner that lower concentrations of Vps1 enhance …

Using Novel Mouse Knockout Models To Study The Roles Of Asm (Acid Sphingomyelinase) In The Regulation Of Multiple Stem Cell Compartments In Vivo, Amro Abdalla

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Acid Sphingomyelinase (ASM) is a lipid-modifying enzyme that breaks down sphingomyelin lipids into ceramide and phosphorylcholine. Genetic mutations in the human ASM gene leads to Niemann pick diseases (NPD) type A & B. In NPD type A, patients die between 1-2 years old due to severe neurological complications, while NPD type B patients live to adulthood but suffer from severe visceral organ complications. Type A is usually associated with complete inactivation of the ASM gene. The hallmark of NPD is Purkinje neuron (PN) death. PNs, the major neurons in the cerebellum part of the brain, regulate the balance and fine …

Dimerization Of The Notch Intracellular Domain Results In Distinct Signaling Activity, Jacob Jeffery Crow

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The Notch signaling pathway is a core component of multicellularity; enabling cells to directly communicate with both their neighbors and the surrounding microenvironment. These signals are translated directly through the Notch proteins, where a fragment of Notch transitions into the nucleus to act as a co-transcription factor, setting into motion a host of physiological responses. Commonly involved in pathways that define a cell’s identity and fate decisions, what appears to be a simplistic pathway instead exists in a state of high-tunability and strict control. Missteps in this pathway are generally embryonically lethal or lead to a suite of congenital disorders …

Application Of Carbon Nanoparticles As Dna Detection Probe And Fluorescent Ink, Luckio Frank Owuocha

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

There is a significant interest in developing a sensitive, selective, efficient, and inexpensive method for rapid molecular diagnostic tests. This research aims to develop an inexpensive nucleic acid detection method by using DNA-conjugated carbon nanoparticles that exhibit fluorescence in the visible region. Carbon nanoparticles of this class can be detected without specialized equipment and have great promise toward the development of analytical methods that can be used in resource-limited environments with a lack of access to proper diagnostic and healthcare. We employed EDC-NHS (two-step) and EDC (one-step) coupling techniques to prepare DNA-conjugated carbon nanoparticles. The dot blotting method was adapted …

Validation Of Nanosecond Pulse Cancellation Using A Quadrupole Exposure System, Hollie A. Ryan

Biomedical Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) offer a plethora of opportunities for developing integrative technologies as complements or alternatives to traditional medicine. Studies on the biological effects of nsPEFs in vitro and in vivo have revealed unique characteristics that suggest the potential for minimized risk of complications in patients, such as the ability of unipolar nsEPs to create permanent or transient pores in cell membranes that trigger localized lethal or non-lethal outcomes without consequential heating. A more recent finding was that such responses could be diminished by applying a bipolar pulse instead, a phenomenon dubbed bipolar cancellation, paving the way …

Urban Air Quality Modeling: Evaluating Impacts Of Ecoroofs On Urban Air Quality In Portland, Oregon, Danlyn L. Brennan, Selina Teng

altREU Projects

In this work, the authors present a mathematical model simulating the impact of ecoroof vegetation on air quality in an urban microclimate. An ecoroof is a layer of vegetation established on rooftops to reduce stormwater runoff, mitigate heat, and enhance air quality. Certain plant species in ecoroofs may however have a detrimental effect on air quality, due to their emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), which include potentially reactive species such as isoprene. These chemical species can interact with urban air pollution, particularly NOx produced by car traffic, to create other harmful pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter …

Identification Of Trim24 Domain Essentiality In Primary Trim24coe Carcinosarcoma Cell Lines, Cem Dede

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Regulation of transcriptional control is a critical feature for organismal development and survival. Because of its effects on chromatin-controlled expression, disruptions of this delicately tuned mechanism are an important factor in development of tumorigenesis. Therefore, there is a growing interest in targeting these control mechanisms for their potential therapeutic values.

Our lab previously discovered the epigenetic regulator function of Tripartite motif protein 24 (TRIM24) through its H3K4me0 and H3K23ac dual histone signature reader function, its negative regulatory effect on the p53 tumor suppressor, in addition to its shown oncogenic driving capacity on immortalized mammary epithelial cells when overexpressed. Although TRIM24 …

The Relationship Between Cell-Free Dna And Resistance Training, Henry Lang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purposes of this dissertation were to explore relationship between cell free DNA (cf-DNA), creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), vertical jump testing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in response to a high-volume resistance training protocol, and to assess the sensitivity of cf-DNA to different resistance training volume loads. The secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between cf-DNA and relative strength. Study 1 was an exploratory attempt to discover relationships between cf-DNA, CK, CRP, delayed onset muscle soreness, and performance variables. Seventeen resistance trained males were recruited, 9 were randomly assigned to receive BCAAs while 8 received a …

In Vitro Anti-Oxidation, Anti-Hepatic Steatotic And Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Auricularia Nigricans (Syn A. Polytricha), Hoe Leong Teoh

Student Works (2020-2029)

At present, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent liver diseases worldwide. In general, NAFLD is asymptomatic, and can slowly progress to serious complications such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, cardiovascular disease and death. Although there are no approved treatment regimens for NAFLD at this moment, lifestyle modifications through diet is the mainstay of treatment. Auricularia nigricans is a popular edible mushroom known to possess medicinal properties such as antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory. The present study was conducted to determine the beneficial effects of A. nigricans against NAFLD through investigation of the in vitro free radical scavenging …

Artificial Intron Technology To Generate Conditional Knock-Out Mice, Amber N. Thomas-Gordon

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Genetic engineering has been re-shaped by the invention of new tools in modern biotechnology in a way that offers precision and efficiency in modifying the genome at a single nucleotide level and/or allowing precise control of gene expression. Such gene manipulation brings about significant findings and revelations in comprehending more about embryonic development, cellular and physiological functions, and disease pathology. Current methods used to produce conditional knockouts have limitations on conditional allele placement and modification varies among genes in different organisms. Thus, a system for generating conditional alleles with fidelity remains a challenge. My goal was to examine an approach …

In Ovo Administration Of Defined Lactic Acid Bacteria Previously Isolated From Adult Hens Induced Variations In The Cecae Microbiota Structure And Enterobacteriaceae Colonization On A Virulent Escherichia Coli Horizontal Infection Model In Broiler Chickens, Margarita A. Arreguin-Nava, Brittany D. Graham, Bishnu Adhikari, Melissa Agnello, Callie M. Selby, Xochitl Hernandez-Velasco, Christine N. Vuong, Bruno Solis-Cruz, Daniel Hernandez-Patlan, Juan David Latorre, Guillermo Tellez Jr., Billy M. Hargis, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The effects of in ovo administration of a defined lactic acid microbiota (LAM), previously isolated from adult hens, in the cecae microbiota structure and Enterobacteriaceae colonization after exposure to virulent Escherichia coli during the hatching phase of broiler chickens were evaluated. Embryos inoculated with LAM showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction of Enterobacteriaceae colonization at day-of-hatch (DOH) and day (d) 7. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in total lactic acid bacteria on DOH, body weight (BW) DOH, BW d7, and d0–d7 BW gain and reduced mortality d0–d7 was observed in the LAM group compared with that in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control. …

Investigating The Role Of Quaking In Antigen Uptake And Cross-Presentation By Dendritic Cells, Yating Li

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered the most potent antigen presenting cells (APC) due to their superior capability of cross-presenting exogenous antigens to CD8⁺ T cell for strong adaptive immune responses. They internalize foreign antigens by phagocytosis, endocytosis or macropinocytosis, which are then processed in endosomal compartments and loaded onto MHC Class I molecules. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating exogenous antigen uptake and cross-presentation by DCs are not fully understood.

In this study, we discovered that an RNA-binding protein, Quaking (QKI) plays a pivotal role in antigen uptake by DCs. Our previous studies in neural stem cells and microglia have …

Elevated Cochlear Adenosine Causes Hearing Loss Via Adora2b Signaling, Jeanne Manalo

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Over 538 million people in the world have been diagnosed with hearing loss (HL). Current treatments for the most common type of HL, sensorineural HL, are limited to hearing aids and cochlear implants with no FDA-drugs available. The hearing process demands an abundance of ATP and HL is often attributed to a disruption in this metabolic energy currency. Patients who lack adenosine deaminase (ADA), the enzyme that irreversibly metabolizes adenosine, have high levels of adenosine that yield severe health problems, including HL; however, the pathogenic mechanisms behind HL and adenosine remain elusive. Our lab has found a HL phenotype in …

Methods To Investigate Hyperthermia Induced By Tumor Treating Fields, Ruchi Singh

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an antineoplastic treatment delivered via application of alternating electric fields using insulated transducer arrays placed directly on the skin in the region surrounding the tumor. TTF’s is a non-invasive application of low-intensity (1-3 V/cm), intermediate-frequency (100-500 kHz) alternating electric fields. The predominant mechanism by which TTFields are thought to kill tumor cells is the disruption of mitosis through the depolymerization of microtubules and interruption of the spindle structure leading to mitotic catastrophe and the formation of non-viable daughter cells. Tumor Treating fields do not stimulate nerves and muscle because of their high frequency, and do …