Characterization Of The Putative Xyloglucan Glycosyltransferase Gt14 In Arabidopsis Thaliana,
2010
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Characterization Of The Putative Xyloglucan Glycosyltransferase Gt14 In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Najam R. Syed
Honors Scholar Theses
Plant cell walls largely consist of matrix polysaccharides that are linked to cellulose microfibrils. Xyloglucan, the primary hemicellulose of the cell wall matrix, consists of a repeating glucose tetramer structure with xylose residues attached to the first three units ('XXXG'). In Arabidopsis thaliana, the core XXXG structure is further modified by enzymatic addition of galactose and fucose residues to the xylose side chains to produce XLXG, XXLG, XLLG and XLFG structures. GT14 is a putative glycosyltransferase in the GT47 gene family. Initial predictions of GT14's hydrophobic regions, based on its translated amino acid sequence, are almost identical to its Arabidopsis …
Macroh2a1 Regulation During The Cell Cycle Of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells,
2010
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Macroh2a1 Regulation During The Cell Cycle Of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Persis S. Thomas
Honors Scholar Theses
MacroH2A is a core histone variant that plays an important role in the X-inactivation process during differentiation of embryonic stem cells. It has been shown that macroH2A changes in localization during the cell cycle of somatic cells. This study aims to determine how macroH2A changes during the cell cycle of embryonic stem cells. Male and female mouse embryonic stem cells were transfected with a GFP::macroH2A construct and the relationship between macroH2A and the cell cycle was determined using FACS. This study shows that macroH2A is altered during the cell cycle of embryonic stem cells as it is in somatic cells …
Alkylphenol Contamination In Homarus Americanus,
2010
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Alkylphenol Contamination In Homarus Americanus, Jennifer Renee Urban
Honors Scholar Theses
Alkylphenols are pollutants that are present in marine sediments and fishes. In earlier work it has been discovered that alkylphenols are present in the Homarus americanus, or the American lobster. Research suggests that alkylphenols could behave as endocrine disruptors as they have been found to affect juvenile hormone activity. It has been hypothesized that lobsters may be able to rid themselves of alkylphenol contamination through secreting these compounds into the environment or sequestering them in their tissues. In this study, I address the question of how lobsters may rid themselves of alkylphenols by analyzing hemolymph, muscle, gill, and shell samples …
Discrete Fractional Calculus And Its Applications To Tumor Growth,
2010
Western Kentucky University
Discrete Fractional Calculus And Its Applications To Tumor Growth, Sevgi Sengul
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Almost every theory of mathematics has its discrete counterpart that makes it conceptually easier to understand and practically easier to use in the modeling process of real world problems. For instance, one can take the "difference" of any function, from 1st order up to the n-th order with discrete calculus. However, it is also possible to extend this theory by means of discrete fractional calculus and make n- any real number such that the ½-th order difference is well defined. This thesis is comprised of five chapters that demonstrate some basic definitions and properties of discrete fractional calculus …
Mult1e-Rgd Fusion Protein Drives Nk Cell-Mediated Anti-Tumor Response,
2010
Clemson University
Mult1e-Rgd Fusion Protein Drives Nk Cell-Mediated Anti-Tumor Response, Meg Steiner
All Theses
A growing body of evidence indicates that natural killer (NK) cells are paramount to the identification and elimination of cancerous and pre-cancerous cells during normal immunosurveillance. In addition, NK cells provide a vital link between the innate and adaptive immune systems during an anti-tumoral response. In the present study, a novel fusion protein was designed from the extracellular portion of mouse UL16-binding protein-like transcript 1 (MULT1), a ligand for the activating NKG2D receptor on NK cells, and a short arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) -containing peptide, which binds the integrin αvβ3 of tumor-specific neovasculature. In vitro studies showed that the fusion protein …
Delta Like Ligand 4 Is A Critical Regulator Of Bone Marrow Cell Differentiation Into Pericytes/Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells And Is Essential For The Vasculogenesis That Supports The Growth Of Ewing’S Sarcoma,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Delta Like Ligand 4 Is A Critical Regulator Of Bone Marrow Cell Differentiation Into Pericytes/Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells And Is Essential For The Vasculogenesis That Supports The Growth Of Ewing’S Sarcoma, Keri L. Stewart
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
We have previously shown that vasculogenesis, the process by which bone marrow-derived cells are recruited to the tumor and organized to form a blood vessel network de novo, is essential for the growth of Ewing’s sarcoma. We further demonstrated that these bone marrow cells differentiate into pericytes/vascular smooth muscle cells(vSMC) and contribute to the formation of the functional vascular network. The molecular mechanisms that control bone marrow cell differentiation into pericytes/vSMC in Ewing’s sarcoma are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the Notch ligand Delta like ligand 4 (DLL4) plays a critical role in this process. DLL4 is essential for …
Validation Of The Activation Of Aurora B Kinase By Caenorhabditis Elegans To Usled-Like Kinase And The Identification Of Cyclin B3 As A Phospho-Specific Tlk-1 Interactor,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Validation Of The Activation Of Aurora B Kinase By Caenorhabditis Elegans To Usled-Like Kinase And The Identification Of Cyclin B3 As A Phospho-Specific Tlk-1 Interactor, Gary Michael Deyter
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
A hallmark of tumorigenesis and certain birth defect syndromes is the loss of ploidy that can result from incorrect chromosome segregation. Chromosomes that are not partitioned properly during mitosis are often fragmented, changing the genetic makeup of daughter cells. Inheriting extrachromosomal fragments that contain cell survival genes or losing chromosomal loci that encode tumor suppressors can promote tumor development. Thus, it is essential to elucidate molecular mechanisms required for correct chromosome segregation. Chromosomes are connected to mitotic spindle microtubules by way of a proteinacous, chromosome-bound organelle called the kinetochore. Two decades of research have confirmed that the conserved Aurora B/AIR-2 …
Glycopeptidome Of A Heavily N-Glycosylated Cell Surface Glycoprotein Of Dictyostelium Implicated In Cell Adhesion,
2010
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Glycopeptidome Of A Heavily N-Glycosylated Cell Surface Glycoprotein Of Dictyostelium Implicated In Cell Adhesion, Christa L. Feasley, Jennifer M. Johnson, Christopher M. West, Catherine P. Chia
School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications
Genetic analysis has implicated the cell surface glycoprotein gp130 in cell interactions of the social amoeba Dictyostelium, and information about the utilization of the 18 N-glycosylation sequons present in gp130 is needed to identify critical molecular determinants of its activity. Various glycomics strategies, including mass spectrometry of native and derivatized glycans, monosaccharide analysis, exoglycosidase digestion, and antibody binding, were applied to characterize a nonanchored version secreted from Dictyostelium. s-gp130 is modified by a predominant Man8GlcNAc4 species containing bisecting and intersecting GlcNAc residues and additional high-mannose N-glycans substituted with sulfate, methyl-phosphate, and/or core R3-fucose. Site mapping confirmed the occupancy …
Xenoestrogen-Specific Mechanisms Of Developmental Reprogramming Correlate With Gene Expression And Tumor Development,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Xenoestrogen-Specific Mechanisms Of Developmental Reprogramming Correlate With Gene Expression And Tumor Development, Kristen L. Greathouse
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Environmental exposures during sensitive windows of development can reprogram normal physiological responses and alter disease susceptibility later in life in a process known as developmental reprogramming. We have shown that neonatal exposure to the xenoestrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) can developmentally reprogram the reproductive tract in genetically susceptible Eker rats giving rise to complete penetrance of uterine leiomyoma. Based on this, we hypothesized that xenoestrogens, including genistein (GEN) and bisphenol A (BPA), reprogram estrogen-responsive gene expression in the myometrium and promote the development of uterine leiomyoma. We proposed the mechanism that is responsible for the developmental reprogramming of gene expression was through …
Myogenin Modulates Exercise Endurance By Altering Skeletal Muscle Metabolism,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Myogenin Modulates Exercise Endurance By Altering Skeletal Muscle Metabolism, James Eric Meadows
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
The function of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) during adult life is not well understood. The requirement of one of these MRFs, myogenin (Myog), during embryonic muscle development suggests an equally important role in adult muscle. In this study, we have determined the function of myogenin during adult life using a conditional allele of Myog. In contrast to embryonic development, myogenin is not required for adult viability, and Myog-deleted mice exhibited no remarkable phenotypic changes during sedentary life. Remarkably, sedentary Myog-deleted mice demonstrated enhanced exercise endurance during involuntary treadmill running. Altered blood glucose and lactate levels in sedentary Myog-deleted mice after …
Smooth Muscle Hyperplasia Due To Acta2/Myh11 Mutations: Identification Of Novel Pathology And Pathways Leading To Aneurysms And Diverse Vascular Occlusive Diseases,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Smooth Muscle Hyperplasia Due To Acta2/Myh11 Mutations: Identification Of Novel Pathology And Pathways Leading To Aneurysms And Diverse Vascular Occlusive Diseases, Christina L. Papke
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Missense mutations in smooth muscle cell (SMC) specific ACTA2 (á-actin) and MYH11 (â-myosin heavy chain) cause diffuse and diverse vascular diseases, including thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) and early onset coronary artery disease and stroke. The mechanism by which these mutations lead to dilatation of some arteries but occlusion of others is unknown. We hypothesized that the mutations act through two distinct mechanisms to cause varied vascular diseases: a loss of function, leading to decreased SMC contraction and aneurysms, and a gain of function, leading to increased SMC proliferation and occlusive disease. To test this hypothesis, ACTA2 mutant SMCs …
The Consequences Of Disrupting The Mdm2-P53 Balance In Hematopoiesis,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
The Consequences Of Disrupting The Mdm2-P53 Balance In Hematopoiesis, Hussein A. Abbas
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
The bone marrow accommodates hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors. These cells provide an indispensible resource for replenishing the blood constituents throughout an organism’s life. A tissue with such a high turn-over rate mandates intact cycling checkpoint and apoptotic pathways to avoid inappropriate cell proliferation and ultimately the development of leukemias. p53, a major tumor suppressor, is a transcription factor that regulates cell cycle, and induces apoptosis and senescence. Mice inheriting a hypomorphic p53 allele in the absence of Mdm2, a p53 inhibitor, have elevated p53 cell cycle activity and die by postnatal day 13 due to hematopoietic failure. Hematopoiesis progresses …
New Target Genes For Tumor Suppressors P53 And P73 In Regenerating Liver,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
New Target Genes For Tumor Suppressors P53 And P73 In Regenerating Liver, Svitlana M. Kurinna
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
The p53-family of proteins regulates expression of target genes during tissue development and differentiation. Within the p53-family, p53 and p73 have hepatic-specific functions in development and tumor suppression. Despite a growing list of p53/p73 target genes, very few of these have been studied in vivo, and the knowledge regarding functions of p53 and p73 in normal tissues remains limited. p53+/-p73+/- mice develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whereas overexpression of p53 in human HCC leads to tumor regression. However, the mechanism of p53/p73 function in liver remains poorly characterized. Here, the model of mouse liver regeneration is used to identify new target …
Survival Prediction For Brain Tumor Patients Using Gene Expression Data,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Survival Prediction For Brain Tumor Patients Using Gene Expression Data, Vinicius Bonato
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Brain tumor is one of the most aggressive types of cancer in humans, with an estimated median survival time of 12 months and only 4% of the patients surviving more than 5 years after disease diagnosis. Until recently, brain tumor prognosis has been based only on clinical information such as tumor grade and patient age, but there are reports indicating that molecular profiling of gliomas can reveal subgroups of patients with distinct survival rates. We hypothesize that coupling molecular profiling of brain tumors with clinical information might improve predictions of patient survival time and, consequently, better guide future treatment decisions. …
Mechanism-Based Strategies To Enhance The Actions Of A,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Mechanism-Based Strategies To Enhance The Actions Of A, Fabiola C. Gomez
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an abundant molecular chaperone that regulates the functional stability of client oncoproteins, such as STAT3, Raf-1 and Akt, which play a role in the survival of malignant cells. The chaperone function of HSP90 is driven by the binding and hydrolysis of ATP. The geldanamycin analog, 17-AAG, binds to the ATP pocket of HSP90 leading to the degradation of client proteins. However, treatment with 17-AAG results in the elevation of the levels of antiapoptotic proteins HSP70 and HSP27, which may lead to cell death resistance. The increase in HSP70 and HSP27 protein levels is due …
Cip4 And Src In Promoting The Migration And Invasion Of Breast Cancers,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Cip4 And Src In Promoting The Migration And Invasion Of Breast Cancers, Christina S. Pichot
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Cellular invasion represents a critical early step in the metastatic cascade, and many proteins have been identified as part of an “invasive signature.” The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src is commonly upregulated in breast cancers, often in conjunction with overexpression of EGFR. Signaling from this pathway stimulates cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and frequently involves proteins that regulate the cytoskeleton. My data demonstrates that inhibition of Src, using the small-molecule inhibitor dasatinib, impairs cellular migration and invasion. Furthermore, Src inhibition sensitizes the cells to the effects of the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin resulting in dramatic, synergistic inhibition of proliferation with combination treatments. The …
Inhibition Of Deubiquitinase Activity And Ubiquitination Of Jak2 Blocks Cytokine Signaling And Induces Tumor Cell Apoptosis,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
Inhibition Of Deubiquitinase Activity And Ubiquitination Of Jak2 Blocks Cytokine Signaling And Induces Tumor Cell Apoptosis, Vaibhav Kapuria
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
The Jak-stat pathway is critical for cellular proliferation and is commonly found to be deregulated in many solid tumors as well as hematological malignancies. Such findings have spurred the development of novel therapeutic agents that specifically inhibit Jak2 kinase, thereby suppressing tumor cell growth. Tyrphostin AG490, the first described Jak2 inhibitor, displays poor pharmacology and requires high concentrations for anti-tumor activities. Our research group screened a small library of AG490 structural analogues and identified WP1130 as a potent inhibitor of Jak2 signaling. However, unlike AG490, WP1130 did not directly inhibit Jak2 kinase activity. Our results show that WP1130 induces rapid …
The Ubiquitin Ligase Ube4b Is Required For Efficient Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Degradation,
2010
University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
The Ubiquitin Ligase Ube4b Is Required For Efficient Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Degradation, Natalie Sirisaengtaksin
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
The length of time that integral membrane proteins reside on the plasma membrane is regulated by endocytosis, a process that can inactivate these proteins by removing them from the membrane and may ultimately result in their degradation. Proteins are internalized and pass through multiple distinct intracellular compartments where targeting decisions determine their fate. Membrane proteins initially enter early endosomes, and subsequently late endosomes/multivesicular bodies (MVBs), before being degraded in the lysosome. The MVB is a subset of late endosomes characterized by the appearance of small vesicles in its luminal compartment. These vesicles contain cargo proteins sorted from the limiting membrane …
Cellular And Developmental Functions Of The Xenopus Arvcf-Catenin:Kazrin Complex,
2010
The Texas Medical Center Library
Cellular And Developmental Functions Of The Xenopus Arvcf-Catenin:Kazrin Complex, Kyucheol Cho
Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)
Xenopus ARVCF (xARVCF), a member of p120-catenin subfamily, binds cadherin cytoplasmic domains to enhance cadherin metabolic stability, or when dissociated, modulates Rho-family GTPases. We previously found that xARVCF binds directly to Xenopus KazrinA (xKazrinA), a widely expressed, conserved protein that bears little homology to established protein families. xKazrinA is also known to influence keratinocyte proliferation-differentiation and cytoskeletal activity. In my study, I first evaluated the expression pattern of endogenous Kazrin RNA and protein in Xenopus embryogenesis as well as in adult tissues. We then collaboratively predicted the helical structure of Kazrin’s coiled-coil domain, and I obtained evidence of Kazrin’s dimerization/oligomerization. …
Genetic And Biochemical Studies Of Plasmid Pir52-1 In Lactobacillus Helveticus,
2010
Utah State University
Genetic And Biochemical Studies Of Plasmid Pir52-1 In Lactobacillus Helveticus, Cody Alexander Tramp
Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects
Lactobacillus helveticus is a species of lactic acid bacteria. These bacteria, which produce lactic acid as a major product of carbohydrate metabolism, are used industrially to produce cheese and other fermented dairy products (Ebringer et al., 2008). Many species of lactic acid bacteria also possess probiotic characteristics and when ingested potentially confer increased immune function, regulate gut microbiota, and improve digestion in the host (Reid, 2008). Genetic studies of these probiotic effects and other characteristics of L. helveticus and related species have been hindered by the lack of stably replicating plasmid vectors. Plasmid vectors for several Lactobacillus species have been …
