Aminopeptidases Do Not Directly Degrade Tau Protein, 2010 University of Kentucky
Aminopeptidases Do Not Directly Degrade Tau Protein, K. Martin Chow, Hanjun Guan, Louis B. Hersh
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications
BACKGROUND: Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation to form intracellular neurofibrillar tangles is prevalent in a number of tauopathies. Thus there is current interest in the mechanisms involved in Tau clearance. It was recently reported that Tau can be degraded by an aminopeptidase known as the puromycin sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA). Until now PSA has been reported to only cleave peptides, with the largest reported substrates having 30-50 amino acids. We have studied this unique PSA cleavage reaction using a number of different PSA preparations.
RESULTS: An N-terminally His tagged-PSA was expressed and purified from Sf9 insect cells. Although this PSA preparation cleaved …
Bilirubin: An Animal Pigment In The Zingiberales And Diverse Angiosperm Orders, 2010 Florida International University
Bilirubin: An Animal Pigment In The Zingiberales And Diverse Angiosperm Orders, Cary L. Pirone
FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Strelitziaceae is a tropical monocot family comprising three genera and seven species: Ravenala Adans and Phenkospermum Endl., which are monotypic, and five species of Strelitzia Aiton. All species produce woody capsular fruits that contain vibrantly colored arillate seeds. Arils of the Strelitzia species are orange, those of Phenakospermum are red, and those of Ravenala are blue. Unlike most plant pigments, which degrade after cell death, aril pigments in the family persist for decades. Chemical properties of the compounds are unusual, and do not match those of known pigment classes (carotenoids, flavonoids, betalains, and the chlorophylls). I isolated the orange pigment …
The Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drugome And Its Polypharmacological Implications, 2010 University of Leeds
The Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drugome And Its Polypharmacological Implications, Sarah L. Kinnings, Li Xie, Kingston H. Fung, Richard M. Jackson, Lei Xie, Phillip E. Bourne
Publications and Research
We report a computational approach that integrates structural bioinformatics, molecular modelling and systems biology to construct a drug-target network on a structural proteome-wide scale. The approach has been applied to the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the causative agent of one of today’s most widely spread infectious diseases. The resulting drug-target interaction network for all structurally characterized approved drugs bound to putative M.tb receptors, we refer to as the ‘TB-drugome’. The TB-drugome reveals that approximately one-third of the drugs examined have the potential to be repositioned to treat tuberculosis and that many currently unexploited M.tb receptors may be chemically druggable …
Halo Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry: Design, Instrumentation, And Performance, 2010 Brigham Young University - Provo
Halo Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry: Design, Instrumentation, And Performance, Miao Wang
Theses and Dissertations
New ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) instrumentation, the toroidal IT and halo IT, were developed to meet the significant growth in on-site analysis applications. The miniature toroidal IT mass analyzer was operated with radio frequency (RF) trapping voltages of 3 kVp-p or less. Despite its reduced dimensions, it has roughly the same ion trapping capacity as conventional 3D quadrupole ITs. Unit-mass resolved spectra for n-butylbenzene, xenon, and naphthalene were obtained. The desired linear mass scale was obtained using conventional mass-selective instability scan combined with resonance ejection. The halo IT was also based on toroidal trapping geometry and microfabrication technology, consisting …
Dnmt1 Stability Is Regulated By Proteins Coordinating Deubiquitination And Acetylation-Driven Ubiquitination, 2010 Case Western Reserve University
Dnmt1 Stability Is Regulated By Proteins Coordinating Deubiquitination And Acetylation-Driven Ubiquitination, Zhanwen Du, Jing Song, Yong Wang, Yiqing Zhao, Kishore Guda, Shuming Yang, Hung Ying Kao, Yan Xu, Joseph Willis, Sanford D. Markowitz, David Sedwick, Robert M. Ewing, Zhenghe Wang
Chemistry Faculty Publications
DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is the primary enzyme that maintains DNA methylation. We describe a previously unknown mode of regulation of DNMT1 protein stability through the coordinated action of an array of DNMT1-associated proteins. DNMT1 was destabilized by acetylation by the acetyltransferase Tip60, which triggered ubiquitination by the E3 ligase UHRF1, thereby targeting DNMT1 for proteasomal degradation. In contrast, DNMT1 was stabilized by histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and the deubiquitinase HAUSP (herpes virus–associated ubiquitin-specific protease). Analysis of the abundance of DNMT1 and Tip60, as well as the association between HAUSP and DNMT1, suggested that during the cell cycle the initiation …
Evaluation Of Immunogene Therapy Using A Plasmid Encoding Il-15 Delivered By Electroporation In A 3d Tumor Model And A Mouse Melanoma Model, 2010 University of South Florida
Evaluation Of Immunogene Therapy Using A Plasmid Encoding Il-15 Delivered By Electroporation In A 3d Tumor Model And A Mouse Melanoma Model, Bernadette Marrero
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Melanoma is an aggressive disease with few effective treatment options. Non-toxic, anti-tumor therapies and prophylactic approaches are currently being investigated to identify treatment options that will control and remove late-stage melanoma.
The overall goal of this project was to establish an effective delivery method for a plasmid encoding human interleukin (phIL-15) into mouse melanoma cells (B16.F10) using the gene transfer technique electroporation (EP)1. The EP delivery phIL-15 was optimized using an in vitro 3D tumor model. The purpose was to translate these IL-15 delivery conditions into an in vivo mouse melanoma model to study IL-15 signal transduction and …
Andrews Student Named 2010 American Chemical Society Scholar, 2010 Andrews University
Andrews Student Named 2010 American Chemical Society Scholar, Dave Randall
Lake Union Herald
No abstract provided.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Alters Left Ventricular Function And Activates Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (Nf-Kappab) In A Time And Dose Dependent Manner, 2010 Old Dominion University
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Alters Left Ventricular Function And Activates Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (Nf-Kappab) In A Time And Dose Dependent Manner, David A. Tiangco, Sapna Halcomb, Frank A. Lattanzio Jr, Barbara Y. Hargrave
Bioelectrics Publications
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit psychoactive drug with cardiovascular effects that have not been fully described. In the current study, we observed the effects of acute MDMA on rabbit left ventricular function. We also observed the effects of MDMA on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activity in cultured rat ventricular myocytes (H9c2). In the rabbit, MDMA (2 mg/kg) alone caused a significant increase in heart rate and a significant decrease in the duration of the cardiac cycle. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by pretreatment with L-NAME (10 mg/kg) alone caused significant dysfunction in heart rate, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, …
Virulence Of An Emerging Respiratory Pathogen, Genus Pandoraea, In Vivo And Its Interactions With Lung Epithelial Cells, 2010 Institute of Technology Tallaght
Virulence Of An Emerging Respiratory Pathogen, Genus Pandoraea, In Vivo And Its Interactions With Lung Epithelial Cells, Gillian Herbert, Anne Costello, Lydia Fabunmi, Kirsten Schaffer, Kevin Kavanagh, Emma M. Caraher, Máire Callaghan, Siobhan Mcclean
Articles
Pandoraea species have emerged as opportunistic pathogens among cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF patients. Pandoraea pulmonicola is the predominant Pandoraea species among Irish CF patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenicity and potential mechanisms of virulence of Irish P. pulmonicola isolates and strains from other Pandoraea species. Three patients from whom the P. pulmonicola isolates were isolated have since died. The in vivo virulence of these and other Pandoraea strains was examined by determining the ability to kill Galleria mellonella larvae. The P. pulmonicola strains generally were the most virulent of the species tested, with three …
Retention And Loss Of Rna Interference Pathways In Trypanosomatid Protozoans, 2010 Washington University in St. Louis
Retention And Loss Of Rna Interference Pathways In Trypanosomatid Protozoans, Lon-Fye Lye, Katherine Owens, Huafang Shi, Silvane M. F. Murta, Ana Carolina Vieira, Salvatore J. Turco, Christian Tschudi, Elisabetta Ullu, Stephen M. Beverley
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications
RNA interference (RNAi) pathways are widespread in metaozoans but the genes required show variable occurrence or activity in eukaryotic microbes, including many pathogens. While some Leishmania lack RNAi activity and Argonaute or Dicer genes, we show that Leishmania braziliensis and other species within the Leishmania subgenus Viannia elaborate active RNAi machinery. Strong attenuation of expression from a variety of reporter and endogenous genes was seen. As expected, RNAi knockdowns of the sole Argonaute gene implicated this protein in RNAi. The potential for functional genetics was established by testing RNAi knockdown lines lacking the paraflagellar rod, a key component of the …
Mitotic Regulation Of Protein Kinase Ck2, 2010 University of Western Ontario
Mitotic Regulation Of Protein Kinase Ck2, Nicole A. St. Denis
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Protein kinase CK2 is a serine/threonine kinase with a multitude of substrates and roles in many cellular processes, including mitosis. CK2 is constitutively active, yet we hypothesize that CK2 is indeed regulated in mitosis through subtle means, enabling CK2 to perform its functions unique to cell division. Our aims were to examine the roles of mitotic phosphorylation, subcellular localization, and interplay with mitotic kinases in the regulation of CK2 activity.
We first examined the role of four highly conserved mitotic phosphorylation sites located in the unique C-terminus of CK2α. Phosphospecific antibodies generated against the sites show that CK2α phosphorylation is …
Characterization Of The Role Of Nicotine And Delta 9-Thc In Modulation Of Neuroinflammation, 2010 University of South Florida
Characterization Of The Role Of Nicotine And Delta 9-Thc In Modulation Of Neuroinflammation, Jared C. Ehrhart
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Neuroinflammation is a major driving force in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, as well as cannabinoid CB2 receptors, have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties when activated. These effects are shown, in vivo, to be a result of stimulation of α7 nAChRs and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. Microglia cells, an immune cell in the brain, are shown to express both of these receptor subtypes. The studies detailed herein, investigated the ability of two compounds, nicotine and Δ9-THC, in modulation of inflammatory processes. Stimulation of these receptors on microglia using nicotine and Δ9-THC blocked the activation of these …
Adenovirus-5 Infection Affects Lipid Metabolism In Hepatic And Adipose Tissues, 2010 Virginia Commonwealth University
Adenovirus-5 Infection Affects Lipid Metabolism In Hepatic And Adipose Tissues, Marianna Sukholutsky
Theses and Dissertations
Our recent studies have shown a link between Adenovirus-5 (Ad-5) and elevated lipids, which prompted the hypothesis that Ad-5 infection might augment hepatic and/or adipose tissue lipid metabolism. To test our hypothesis, mice were infected with Ad-5 and screened for changes in lipogenesis and plasma markers associated with the metabolic syndrome. We observed increased expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) in infected liver tissues, but not in adipose tissues and this correlated with elevated plasma and hepatic triglyceride levels. Elevated expression of adiponectin was seen in Ad-5 infected adipose tissues and this correlated with phosphorylated AMPK in …
Molecular Mechanism Of Agc Kinases In Human Malignant, 2010 University of South Florida
Molecular Mechanism Of Agc Kinases In Human Malignant, Shaokun Shu
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The maintenance of normal cell function and tissue homeostasis is dependent on the precise regulation of multiple signaling pathways that control cellular decisions to either proliferate, differentiate, arrest cell growth, or initiate programmed cell death (apoptosis). Cancer arises when clones of mutated cells escape this balance and proliferate inappropriately without compensatory apoptosis. Deregulated cell growth occurs as a result of perturbed signal transduction that modulates or alters cellular behavior or function to keep the critical balance between the rate of cell-cycle progression (cell division) and cell growth (cell mass) on one hand, and programmed cell death (apoptosis, autophagy) on the …
(1e,3e)-1,4-Bis(4-Methoxyphenyl)Buta1,3-Diene, 2010 National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology
(1e,3e)-1,4-Bis(4-Methoxyphenyl)Buta1,3-Diene, Gopinathan Narayan, Nigam Rath, Suresh Das
Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works
The title compound, C18H18O2, which exhibits blue emission in the solid state, is an intermediate in the preparation of liquid crystals and polymers. The molecule is located on an inversion centre. In the crystal, molecules are arranged in a herringbone motif.
(1e,3e)-1,4-Bis(4-Methoxyphenyl)Buta1,3-Diene, 2010 National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology
(1e,3e)-1,4-Bis(4-Methoxyphenyl)Buta1,3-Diene, Gopinathan Narayan, Nigam P. Rath, Suresh Das
Nigam Rath
Functionalization Of Diamond And Its Application In High Performance Liquid Chromatography And Solid Phase Extraction, 2010 Brigham Young University - Provo
Functionalization Of Diamond And Its Application In High Performance Liquid Chromatography And Solid Phase Extraction, Gaurav Saini
Theses and Dissertations
The primary focus of my work was to chemically functionalize diamond as normal and reversed phases for solid phase extraction (SPE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Diamond was functionalized with -NH2 groups via self-limiting adsorption of an amine-containing polymer, polyallylamine (PAAm), onto oxidized diamond particles. The chemical stability of these particles was improved by thermal curing or chemical crosslinking with 1,2,5,6-diepoxycyclooctane. The reversed phase material for SPE was synthesized by reacting amine-functionalized diamond particles with long chain alkyl and a perfluorinated isocyanate. Unlike commercially available silica, functionalized diamond particles were stable under extreme pH conditions (pH 0-14). Functionalized diamond …
Feronia Receptor-Like Kinase Regulates Rho Gtpase Signaling Of Root Hair Development, 2010 University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Feronia Receptor-Like Kinase Regulates Rho Gtpase Signaling Of Root Hair Development, Q. Duan, D. Kita, C. Li, Alice Cheung, H. M. Wu
Alice Cheung
Plant RHO GTPases (RAC/ROPs) mediate multiple extracellular signals ranging from hormone to stress and regulate diverse cellular processes important for polarized cell growth, differentiation, development, reproduction, and responses to the environment. They shuttle between the GDP-bound inactive state and the GTP-bound activated state and their activation is predominantly mediated by a family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) referred to as ROPGEFs. Using the Arabidopsis ROPGEF1 as bait, we identified members of a receptor-like kinase (RLK) family as potential upstream regulators for RAC/ROP signaling. NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are emerging as important regulators for growth and development and …
Scoring Function To Predict Solubility Mutagenesis, 2010 Washington State University
Scoring Function To Predict Solubility Mutagenesis, Ye Tian, Christopher Deutsch, Bala Krishnamoorthy
Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations
Background: Mutagenesis is commonly used to engineer proteins with desirable properties not present in the wild type (WT) protein, such as increased or decreased stability, reactivity, or solubility. Experimentalists often have to choose a small subset of mutations from a large number of candidates to obtain the desired change, and computational techniques are invaluable to make the choices. While several such methods have been proposed to predict stability and reactivity mutagenesis, solubility has not received much attention. Results: We use concepts from computational geometry to define a three body scoring function that predicts the change in protein solubility due to …
Rnai Screen Indicates Widespread Biological Function For Human Natural Antisense Transcripts, 2010 Georgia Southern University
Rnai Screen Indicates Widespread Biological Function For Human Natural Antisense Transcripts, Mohammad A. Faghihi, Jannet Kocerha, F. Modarresi, P. G. Engstrom, A. M. Chalk, S. P. Brothers, E. Koesema, G. St. Laurent, Claes Wahlestedt
Jannet Kocerha
Natural antisense transcripts represent a class of regulatory RNA molecules, which are characterized by their complementary sequence to another RNA transcript. Extensive sequencing efforts suggest that natural antisense transcripts are prevalent throughout the mammalian genome; however, their biological significance has not been well defined. We performed a loss-of-function RNA interference (RNAi) screen, which targeted 797 evolutionary conserved antisense transcripts, and found evidence for a regulatory role for a number of natural antisense transcripts. Specifically, we found that natural antisense transcripts for CCPG1 and RAPGEF3 may functionally disrupt signaling pathways and corresponding biological phenotypes, such as cell viability, either independently or …