Connexin32: Sorting, Endocytosis And Assembly,
2018
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Connexin32: Sorting, Endocytosis And Assembly, Anuttoma Ray
Theses & Dissertations
Gap junctions (GJ)s are conglomeration of several cell-cell channels at cell-to-cell contact sites involved in the direct intercellular exchange of small growth regulatory molecules. Defects in assembly of GJ-forming proteins, called connexins (Cxs), are observed in many cancers, yet the molecular basis of this defect remains unknown. Connexin32 (Cx32) is expressed by the polarized cells in epithelia. The carboxyl-terminal tail (CT) of Cx32, although not required to initiate GJ formation, orchestrates several aspects of GJ dynamics, function and growth. Our studies have discovered that the CT of Cx32 harbors a tyrosine-based [YXXØ]-type and two dileucine-based [DE]XXXL[LI]-type motifs, which govern the …
Modeling And Analyzing An Optogenetic System For Photoactivatable Protein Dissociation,
2018
University of Connecticut
Modeling And Analyzing An Optogenetic System For Photoactivatable Protein Dissociation, Anvin Thomas, James Schaff
Honors Scholar Theses
Computational modeling of cell-cell interactions can grant clues and can answer questions about an experiment, especially for observations about binding interactions and kinetics. This approach was used to investigate an interaction between a light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) domain and an engineered protein called Zdark (Zdk). The LOV domain is membrane-bound while Zdk is cytosolic. The LOV domain and Zdk bind strongly in dark (Kd 26.2 nM), and weakly upon exposure to blue light (Kd > 4 μM). Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) images are acquired of Zdk, the fluorescent species bound to a mCherry tag, and the loss of fluorescence is …
Investigation Of P-Glycoprotein (Pgp) Induction By Pgp Substrates To Induce Paclitaxel Resistance In Ovarian Cancer Cells,
2018
University of the Incarnate Word
Investigation Of P-Glycoprotein (Pgp) Induction By Pgp Substrates To Induce Paclitaxel Resistance In Ovarian Cancer Cells, Ryker Penn
Theses & Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of chemotherapeutic resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cells after treatment with drugs that are substrates for P-glycoprotein (PGP). A core concept of this experiment was to identify if PGP substrate drugs could also act as PGP inducers after prolonged treatment in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. In order to test this, SKOV-3 cells were exposed to either fexofenadine, a PGP substrate used as an antihistamine, or the chemotherapeutic drug vinblastine. After 42 days of drug treatment, ABCB1 gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Analysis of ABCB1 expression in treated cells …
Functional Studies Of The E. Coli Proc And A Putative Ortholog Mrub_1345,
2018
Augustana College, Rock Island Illinois
Functional Studies Of The E. Coli Proc And A Putative Ortholog Mrub_1345, Maureen Azar, Dr. Lori Scott
Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project
This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of Escherichia coli and Meiothermus ruber proC genes using the complementation assay. In this research project, mutants of varying severity to the functional state of the protein were developed. The results showed that two or more amino acid deletions reduced or eliminated ProC function. Amino acid substitutions, on the other hand, were not severe enough to impact ProC function. Double and triple mutants …
Effect Of Silk-Based Hydrogel Topography On Intestinal Epithelial Cell Morphology And Wound Healing In Vitro,
2018
University of Connecticut
Effect Of Silk-Based Hydrogel Topography On Intestinal Epithelial Cell Morphology And Wound Healing In Vitro, Marisa E. Boch
University Scholar Projects
Recent advances in the field of biomaterials have suggested that cells cultured on substrates resembling the native tissue mechanical properties, matrix and growth factor composition, and topography can adopt phenotypes that more closely resemble the in vivo tissue compared to cells cultured on non-mimetic constructs. Understanding the effect of culture substrate on in vitro tissue formation is important for bioengineering applications that include mechanistic studies of healthy tissue function and development of disease models. In this work, Caco-2 adenocarcinoma cells were seeded on flat and crypt-like topographies of 3D-printed cytocompatible hydrogels derived from silk fibroin protein. Silk hydrogels were selected …
Expression Of Androgen Receptor And Cancer Stem Cell Markers (Cd44 +/Cd24 - And Aldh1 +): Prognostic Implications In Invasive Breast Cancer,
2018
Aga Khan University
Expression Of Androgen Receptor And Cancer Stem Cell Markers (Cd44 +/Cd24 - And Aldh1 +): Prognostic Implications In Invasive Breast Cancer, Nazia Riaz, Romana Idress, Sadia Habib, Iqbal Azam Syed, El Nasir Lalani
Section of General Surgery
Background: Androgen receptor (AR) has emerged as a significant prognostic marker in early breast cancer (BCa). Association of AR with cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in BCa is unknown. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of AR, CD44, CD24 and ALDH1 in a cohort of Pakistani patients diagnosed with invasive BCa and to correlate the expression with 5- year disease free survival.
Patients and methods: We evaluated immunohistochemical expression AR, CD44, CD24 and ALDH1 in formalin fixed paraffin embedded archival blocks of 166 cases of primary invasive BCa (stage I-III) and correlated the expression with …
Cancer-Induced Muscle Wasting,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Cancer-Induced Muscle Wasting, Jacob Levi Brown
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Cancer-induced muscle wasting, otherwise known as cancer-cachexia, is a wasting syndrome that occurs in approximately 80% of cancer patients that is the primary cause of death for 22%-30% of cancer cases. Cancer-cachexia may be metabolically induced; therefore, the central hypothesis of this dissertation is mitochondrial degeneration occurs before cancer-cachexia, and increased oxidative stress because of mitochondrial degeneration in muscle may instigate cancer-cachexia. Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells (LLC) or PBS (control) were injected into the hind-flank of C57Bl6/J mice at 8 wks age, and tumor allowed to develop for 1, 2, 3 or 4 wks. Mitochondrial quality, function, ROS emission, protein …
The Subcloning And Expression Of Munc18a In Escherichia Coli For Antibody Production And Analysis In Mast Cell Degranulation Reactions,
2018
University of Southern Mississippi
The Subcloning And Expression Of Munc18a In Escherichia Coli For Antibody Production And Analysis In Mast Cell Degranulation Reactions, Brandi Goble
Honors Theses
Mast cells are secretory cells responsible for fighting off infection through the early recognition of pathogens. This process is completed through the secretion of proinflammatory mediators that are stored in secretory granules within the cytoplasm of the cell. The degranulation secretion process relies on regulated fusion of secretory granules to the cell membrane via membrane-bound SNARE proteins that bridges the two opposed membranes. The intricate regulation of SNARE-mediated mast cell degranulation is not well understood. However, Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins, specifically the Munc18 isoforms, are known to play a critical role in the process (Brochetta, et. al., 2014). The Xu lab …
Microbiome Of Commercial Broilers Through Evisceration And Immersion Chilling,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Microbiome Of Commercial Broilers Through Evisceration And Immersion Chilling, John A. Handley
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The United States poultry industry generated 38.6 billion pounds (17,500 metric ton) of meat in 2014 which averaged to 121 pounds (55 kg) per individual of the U.S that same year. Of that meat generated by the poultry industry, an estimated 1 million cases of Salmonellosis will occur. Out of the 1 million cases approximately 40, 000 to 50,000 will be confirmed cases by the CDC. Recently, the USDA has requested changes in the inspection process and are currently allowing processors more freedom to utilize innovation to drive the increase in safer and more desirable foods. The new standards set …
Combining Translational And Functional Genomic Approaches To Augment Management Strategies Of Plant Parasitic Nematodes,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Combining Translational And Functional Genomic Approaches To Augment Management Strategies Of Plant Parasitic Nematodes, Sandeep Sharma Khatiwada
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Plant-parasitic nematodes pose a major threat to crop yield worldwide. Discontinued use of harmful chemicals has prompted the search for alternative management strategies that are effective yet environmentally friendly. Harpin proteins, which are derived from bacteria, and nematophagous fungi, natural predators of nematodes, are ideal for biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes. However, research on the efficacy of harpin proteins on nematodes, and biology of nematophagous fungi is minimal. Previously, a taxonomically uncharacterized nematophagous fungus designated ARF18 effectively suppressed nematode populations in soil. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to utilize applied and functional genomic approaches to augment management of …
Evolutionary Conservation Of Midline Repulsion By Robo Family Receptors In Flies And Mice,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Evolutionary Conservation Of Midline Repulsion By Robo Family Receptors In Flies And Mice, Allison Loy
Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses
As the nervous system develops in animal embryos, neuronal axons are guided to their synaptic targets by extra cellular cues that signal through axon guidance receptors expressed on the surface of the axon. In animals with bilateral symmetry, one of the important decisions made by nearly every axon in the embryonic nervous system is whether to stay on its own side of the body, or to cross the midline and connect to cells on the opposite side. The Roundabout (Robo) family is an evolutionarily conserved group of axon guidance receptors that regulate midline crossing in a wide range of animal …
Identifying New Genes Involved In Centromere Establishment,
2018
University of Connecticut
Identifying New Genes Involved In Centromere Establishment, Megan Boyer
Honors Scholar Theses
The centromere is a site on the chromosome that mediates accurate cell division by serving as a platform for kinetochore assembly, and microtubule attachment during cell division. Errors in the process of chromosome segregation can contribute to genetic irregularities, such as those seen in cancer and congenital defects. Our lab uses the ectopic centromere as a tool to discover what proteins may be involved in centromere establishment, defined as the deposition of CENP-A at the locus. We use the lacO/LacI system within Drosophila S2 cells that contain a CAL1-GFP- LacI transgene and an integrated lacO array to study the ectopic …
Effects Of Piggybac Transposable Element Derived 5 (Pgbd5) In Cortical Tissue,
2018
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Effects Of Piggybac Transposable Element Derived 5 (Pgbd5) In Cortical Tissue, Benjamin Shao
Honors Scholar Theses
Many cancers are known to have genetic rearrangements, as these rearrangements develop abnormalities that can lead to certain types of cancer. Many of these genetic rearrangements can be caused by transposons, which are DNA sequences that can change its position and move to other positions within the genome. Transposons move to and integrate into a new location by the action of transposase enzymes, and recently genes that code for proteins similar to transposases and with transposase activity have been identified in the human and other vertebrate genomes. In this study, one of these genes, human piggyBac transposable element derived 5 …
Effect Of Silk-Based Hydrogel Topography On Intestinal Epithelial Cell Morphology And Wound Healing In Vitro,
2018
University of Connecticut
Effect Of Silk-Based Hydrogel Topography On Intestinal Epithelial Cell Morphology And Wound Healing In Vitro, Marisa E. Boch
Honors Scholar Theses
Recent advances in the field of biomaterials have suggested that cells cultured on substrates resembling the native tissue mechanical properties, matrix and growth factor composition, and topography can adopt phenotypes that more closely resemble the in vivo tissue compared to cells cultured on non-mimetic constructs. Understanding the effect of culture substrate on in vitro tissue formation is important for bioengineering applications that include mechanistic studies of healthy tissue function and development of disease models. In this work, Caco-2 adenocarcinoma cells were seeded on flat and crypt-like topographies of 3D-printed cytocompatible hydrogels derived from silk fibroin protein. Silk hydrogels were selected …
Functional Heterogeneity Of Fibroblasts In Dermal Wound Healing,
2018
The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Functional Heterogeneity Of Fibroblasts In Dermal Wound Healing, Ehsan Ehsanipour
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Impaired wound healing can lead to excessive scarring, dehiscence, chronic ulcers, and infection, which have adverse impact on the quality of life and pose a significant economic burden on the health care system. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are critically important. Dermal fibroblasts are critical players in cutaneous wound healing, possibly lending their contractile properties and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling functions to promote effective tissue repair. Dermal fibroblasts are also postulated to orchestrate tissue repair by interacting with and controlling other cell types in the wound microenvironment. It has become increasingly clear that the generic term “fibroblast” encompasses a diverse cell …
Sphingosine Kinase 1 Regulates Fascin Expression To Promote Metastasis In Triple Negative Breast Cancer,
2018
The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Sphingosine Kinase 1 Regulates Fascin Expression To Promote Metastasis In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Sunil Acharya
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Distant metastasis is the primary cause of breast cancer–related mortality. To date, effective therapeutic drugs that target metastasis are still lacking. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) occurs in high frequency in young women and are more likely to recur and metastasize than are other breast cancer subtypes. Also, TNBC patients cannot benefit from currently available hormonal or targeted therapies, as they lack estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Thus, understanding the signaling pathways that promote TNBC metastasis and developing novel therapeutic approaches to target them are critical, in order to prolong the survival and improve …
Multiscale Investigation Of The Behavior Of Heart Valve Interstitial Cells In Response To Pathological Shape And Mechanical Stimulation,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Multiscale Investigation Of The Behavior Of Heart Valve Interstitial Cells In Response To Pathological Shape And Mechanical Stimulation, Ngoc Thien Lam
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Our works aim to provide an insight into how aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) respond to pathological shape and mechanical stimulation as well as the potential signaling pathway that mediates these responses, using a multiscale approach. A single cell model was developed to investigate the effect of altered shape on valve cell function as valve cells were reported to significantly deform during the cardiac cycle. Single VICs were controlled to take on features with different width-to-length aspect ratios that corresponded to the steady-state shapes adopted by VICs when stretched to 0%, 10% and 20%, respectively. It appeared that single VIC …
Regulation Of The Tubulin Homolog Ftsz In Escherichia Coli,
2018
CUNY Graduate Center
Regulation Of The Tubulin Homolog Ftsz In Escherichia Coli, Monika S. Buczek
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Escherichia coli is a well-known pathogen, and importantly, a widely used model organism in all fields of biological sciences for cloning, protein purification, and as a model for Gram-negative bacterial species. And yet, researchers do not fully understand how this bacterium replicates and divides. Every year additional division proteins are discovered, which adds complexity to how we understand E. coli undergoes cell division. Due to their specific roles in cytokinesis, some of these proteins may be potential targets for development of antibacterials or bacteriostatics, which are much needed for fighting the current global antibacterial deficit. My thesis work focuses on …
Mitochondrial Mrna Translation Is Required For Maintenance Of Oxidative Capacity,
2018
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Mitochondrial Mrna Translation Is Required For Maintenance Of Oxidative Capacity, David Lee
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Oxidative metabolism is required to produce adequate energy to sustain human life. A primary example of deteriorating oxidative capacity is seen in the cardiac musculature during chronic heart failure. This suggests that by improving oxidative potential, chronic heart disease could be mitigated and one approach to accomplish this may be through targeting the mt-mRNA translation system. Purpose: This investigation’s purpose was to characterize disruptions in mt-mRNA translation machinery in multiple forms of cardiomyopathy and to determine if mitochondrial mRNA translation initiation factor (mtIF2) is necessary to maintain oxidative capacity in cardiomyocytes. Methods Using a combination of animal and cell culture …
Investigation Of The Homologs Rad51 And Dmc1 Role In Cell Division And Homologous Recombination,
2018
Missouri State University
Investigation Of The Homologs Rad51 And Dmc1 Role In Cell Division And Homologous Recombination, Amaal Abulibdeh
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
RecA-like proteins homologs Rad51 and Dmc1 (disruption of meiotic control) promote recombination between homologous chromosomes by repairing programmed DNA Double-Strand Breaks (DSBs). Dmc1 is a Recombinase involved in meiosis-specific repair of DSBs, whereas Rad51 has been found to be involved in meiotic and non-meiotic DSBs repair. Previous studies showed that when RAD51 is overexpressed, interhomologous recombination still occurs even when DMC1 is knocked out. Dmc1 and Rad51 have not been fully characterized in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. In order to more fully investigate the role of Rad51 and Dmc1 in Homologous Recombination Repair (HHR), this work focuses on using …
