Matriptase/Pdgf D/Beta-Pdgfr Signaling Axis In Human Prostate Cancer: The Role Of Pten In The Regulation Of Pdgf D Expression,
2010
Wayne State University
Matriptase/Pdgf D/Beta-Pdgfr Signaling Axis In Human Prostate Cancer: The Role Of Pten In The Regulation Of Pdgf D Expression, M. Katie Conley-Lacomb
Wayne State University Dissertations
Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) is a family of mesenchymal growth factors that regulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Unlike the classic PDGF ligands A and B, which are secreted as active dimers, PDGF D must undergo extracellular proteolytic processing to remove its N-terminal CUB domain from the C-terminal PDGF growth domain before the ligand is able to stimulate its receptor, PDGF receptor beta (?-PDGFR). Importantly, recent clinical studies have shown that ?-PDGFR is upregulated in primary prostate cancer and bone metastases. However, PDGF B, formerly thought to be the sole ligand for ?-PDGFR, is not expressed in clinical prostate …
Ornithine Decarboxylase (Odc) Regulation By Mtor: New Insights From Tsc1 Knockout Cells,
2010
University of Northern Iowa
Ornithine Decarboxylase (Odc) Regulation By Mtor: New Insights From Tsc1 Knockout Cells, Alyssa Mae Cates
Honors Program Theses
The polyamine pathway, when improperly regulated, is one central cause of skin carcinogenesis. The purpose of this project was to investigate the relationship between two biochemical signaling pathways, the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway and the polyamine pathway. It is known that the protein mTOR serves to regulate a key protein in the polyamine pathway, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), but the precise mechanism remains unclear. It has been postulated that mTOR acts to regulate ODC through two RNA binding proteins, HuR (a member of the Hu family of proteins) and TIP (tristetraprolin). The project entailed characterizing that relationship using TSCl …
Formation Of The Neural Tube Epithelium Basement Membrane During Secondary Neurulation In The Chick Embryo,
2010
University of Northern Iowa
Formation Of The Neural Tube Epithelium Basement Membrane During Secondary Neurulation In The Chick Embryo, Leslie Ann Mataya
Honors Program Theses
Neurulation, the formation of the neural tube, is an important process in the development of vertebrates. Because this organ ultimately becomes the central nervous system of the organism, the proper development of a fully-functioning neural tube is paramount to its survival. Neural tube defects, like spina bifida and anencephaly, are among the most common congenital malformations present in live human births. The prevalence of these defects is a definite concern to medicine and human health.
Differences In The Mechanism Of Collagen Lattice Contraction By Myofibroblasts And Smooth Muscle Cells,
2010
Brigham Young University
Differences In The Mechanism Of Collagen Lattice Contraction By Myofibroblasts And Smooth Muscle Cells, J. C. Dallon, H P. Ehrlich
Faculty Publications
Both rat derived vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and human myofibroblasts contain $\alpha$ smooth muscle actin (SMA), but they utilize different mechanisms to contract populated collagen lattices (PCLs). The difference is in how the cells generate the force that contracts the lattices. Human dermal fibroblasts transform into myofibroblasts, expressing $\alpha$-SMA within stress fibers, when cultured in lattices that remain attached to the surface of a tissue culture dish. When attached lattices are populated with rat derived vascular SMC, the cells retain their vascular SMC phenotype. Comparing the contraction of attached PCLs when they are released from the culture dish on …
Afm Study Of Structural Changes In Supported Planar Dppc Bilayers Containing General Anesthetic Isofluorane (Plus Additional Afm Experiments),
2010
Brigham Young University
Afm Study Of Structural Changes In Supported Planar Dppc Bilayers Containing General Anesthetic Isofluorane (Plus Additional Afm Experiments), Chad Mckell, Hiram Conley, David D. Busath
Faculty Publications
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a remarkable tool for assessing the structural properties of supported lipid planar bilayers under different physiological conditions. Previous work has shown that incorporation of anesthetics into artificial lipid bilayers results in domain formation [1], destruction of lipid aggregates and patches [2], anesthetic-lipid mixed micelle formation [2], and the development of interdigitated phases of reduced thickness compared to anesthetic-free bilayers [3]. In particular, these interdigitated phases are suspected to affect the structure and activity of membrane proteins, such as ion channels, and thus further research with proteinembedded bilayers exposed to anesthetics could reveal the mechanism responsible …
