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APP∙CNTN Complex Architecture is Conserved Throughout the Vertebrate Lineage
(2020)
Contactins (CNTNs) are a group of up to six cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily found throughout the metazoan lineage. CNTN architecture is broadly conserved, and these proteins are composed ...
Structure/Function Analysis of Type IIa Receptor Tyrosine Phosphatases on Drosophila Muscle Integrity
(University of Missouri -- Kansas City, 2018)
The Lar-family of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs); including
Lar, RPTPσ and RPTPδ, are utilized in signal transduction pathways during neural
development. Fundamentally, the processes of axon guidance ...
An Investigation into the Effects of Alterations in Ribosomal Proteins S4 and S5 on Translational Accuracy, Ribosomal RNA Processing, and Ribosome Assembly
(University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2016)
Accurate translation of genetic message is an essential step in gene expression and is carried out by the ribosome. Ribosomal proteins S4 and S5 are critical for the decoding and the assembly processes on the ribosome. The ...
Regulation of Antimicrobial Peptide Genes in Insects by the Toll Pathway and NF-kB Transcription Factors
(University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2017)
Insects lack adaptive immunity and solely rely on innate immunity to combat
pathogens. Innate immunity in dipteran and lepidopteran insects mainly depends on two
canonical pathways, the Toll pathway that provides ...
Structural Basis for the Regulation of the Ceramide Transfer Protein
(University of Missouri -- Kansas City, 2017)
Ceramide, a central intermediate in sphingolipid metabolism, is synthesized at the
endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transferred to the Golgi by the ceramide transfer (CERT)
protein for conversion to sphingomyelin (SM). ...
Biochemical and Structural Studies of the Role of FKBP(L)s in the fly and Mammalian Circadian Cycle
(University of Missouri -- Kansas City, 2017)
FK506 binding-like proteins (FKBPLs) are proteins that structurally resemble the
immunophilins. Their functions in cell signaling include protein folding, molecular trafficking,
RNA splicing and cell cycle regulation ...
Hyper-Plastic Structural Evolution Of The PEX Domain - A Model Of Evolutionary Exaptation And Neofunctionalization At The Molecular Level
(University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2017)
With the advent of sophisticated genetic, biophysical and in silico technology an
enormous amount of information is being generated regarding the structural, biochemical and
physiological aspects of proteins. Tertiary ...
A Genetic Screen for Tribbles Suppressors Identifies the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Neuralized as a Novel Target
(University of Missouri -- Kansas City, 2017)
In this dissertation, I used the Drosophila wing as a model tissue for a genetic screen
to identify novel targets of Tribbles. Drosophila Tribbles is the founding member of a family
of pseudokinases conserved between ...
Modulation of calcium signaling through direct and indirect actions of polyphenolic phytostilbenes on neuronal calcium channels
(University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2017)
Today in the United States there are 6.5 million people affected by a
neurodegenerative disease. Recent findings hypothesize that calcium dyshomeostasis and
reactive oxygen species contribute to the progression of many ...
Non-genomic control of neuronal calcium signaling by the steroid hormone estrogen leads to neuroprotective effects
(2020)
It has been well documented that the onset of menopause correlates with an increase in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Estrogen supplementation was used as treatment/prevention for a ...
Investigation of functional domains of drosophilia tribbles protein in the insulin signaling pathway
(2020)
In this dissertation, I examined the function of the Drosophila melanogaster protein Tribbles (Trbl) within the insulin/insulin-like signaling (IIS) pathway. Trbl was initially discovered as a regulator of mitosis during ...
Structure-Function Analysis of the Tribbles Pseudokinase
(2020)
Members of the Tribbles (Trb) family of pseudokinases have roles in development, cell cycle control, insulin signaling, and the immune response and have been linked to many human diseases. The structure of Drosophila ...
Effects of Light on BDBT Puncta Formation in the Drosophila Eye Reveal Involvement of BDBT with Color Preference Behavior and Distinct Nuclear Localization Pathways for DBT and PER
(2021)
In this dissertation, the research focus is on elucidating the mechanism behind BRIDE OF DOUBLETIME (BDBT) puncta/foci formation. During this process it was discovered that both the circadian and visual photoreceptors ...
Identification and Characterization of Two Novel Sleep Promoting Neurons Located in the Ventral Nerve Cord of Drosophila Melanogaster
(2023)
Sleep is a phenomenon that is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and can be found in nearly every evolutionary niche that has come about. Humans cannot live without it, and it is required for optimal physical and mental ...
The Molecular Mechanisms of Antifungal Drug Resistance In Pathogenic Fungi
(2016)
Pathogenic fungi including Candida albicans, cause oral, systemic, and vaginal infections, mostly in immune-compromised individuals. Azoles are the most common antifungals used in treating these infections. The most ...
The Ins and Outs and ABCs of Antifungal Drug Transport: Characterizing the Role of Membrane Transporters in Pathogenic Fungi
(2016)
Pathogenic fungi cause serious disease and even death in humans, animals and plants. In medicine and agriculture alike, fungal infections are widespread and represent a significant threat to global public health. The ...
Mating Type Specific Roles During The Sexual Cycle Of Phycomyces Blakesleeanus
(2014)
Phycomyces blakesleeanus is a filamentous fungus that belongs in the order Mucorales. It can propagate through both sexual and asexual reproduction. The asexual structures of Phycomyces called sporangiophores have served ...
The Role of Host Translation Initiation Factors eIF4H and eIF4A and the Exon Junction Complex in the Control of mRNA turnover and Translation by the Virion Host Shut off Protein of Herpes Simplex Virus
(2013)
During lytic infections, the HSV Vhs endonuclease (UL41) degrades many viral and cellular mRNAs. This endonuclease activity is dependent upon the ability of Vhs to bind the host translation initiation factors eIF4AI/II and ...
Disconnecting a Role for DNA Repair in the Pathogenicity of the Human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
(2014)
C. neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing fatal meningitis and lung infections. Worldwide every year around 625,000 deaths occur due to Cryptococcosis. A basic understanding of Cryptococcus virulence ...
Regulation of Gene Expression by Non-coding RNAs in Arabidopsis and Brachypodium
(2014)
Expansion of high-throughput sequencing technology has increased our understanding
in the importance of pervasive transcription and the resulting indispensable molecules, noncoding
RNAs (ncRNAs). A significant effort has ...