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Racial difference in Acylation Stimulating Protein (ASP) correlates to triglyceride in non-obese and obese African American and Caucasian women
(East Carolina University, 2009-04-17)
Background: Acylation Stimulating Protein (ASP) has been shown to influence adipose tissue triglyceride (TG) storage. The aim was to examine ethnic differences in ASP and leptin levels in relation to lipid profiles and ...
HuR involvement in mitotic clonal expansion during acquisition of the adipocyte phenotype
(East Carolina University, 2009-05-29)
In the nucleus HuR binds to mRNAs containing adenylate-uridylate rich elements in the 3?- untranslated region. HuR may influence expression of its ligand mRNA through regulation of polyadenylation, translocation of the ...
A germline-specific isoform of eIF4E (IFE-1) is required for efficient translation of stored mRNAs and maturation of both oocytes and sperm
(East Carolina University, 2009-05-15)
Fertility and embryonic viability are measures of efficient germ cell growth and development. During oogenesis and spermatogenesis, new proteins are required for both mitotic expansion and differentiation. Qualitative and ...
The unique roles of IFE-1, a germline-specific isoform of eukaryotic translation factor 4E, during gametogenesis
(East Carolina University, 2009)
Fertility and embryonic viability are measures of efficient germ cell growth and differentiation. During oogenesis, spermatogenesis and embryogenesis cells initially proliferate then differentiate into specific tissues. New proteins are required for both cell growth and differentiation, requiring qualitative and quantitative changes in protein synthesis. During late gametogenesis and early embryogenesis the expression of the appropriate proteins is a primarily due to translational control. Translational control of mRNAs is mediated in part by eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). eIF4E binds the methylated 5' cap of mRNA and recruits it to the ribosome. The nematode worm C.elegans expresses five isoforms of eIF4E (termed IFE-1 through 5). IFE-1 is expressed primarily in the germline and is the only isoform that associates with P granules by binding directly to PGL-1. P granules are ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) that contain stored mRNAs and proteins needed for oogenesis and early embryogenesis. Using a strain that lacks IFE-1, I assessed the translational efficiency of maternal mRNAs bound and not bound to P granules by polysome fractionation. Translation of pos-1, pal-1, mex-1, oma-1, ced-4 and glp-1 mRNAs was inefficient in the ife-1 strain relative to wild type worms. GAPDH (gpd-3) mRNA translation was not affected. We also observed differences in the pattern of expression of the MEX-1 protein during oogenesis. In males, secondary spermatocytes failed to complete cytokinesis at 25°C in absence of IFE-1. Males deficient of IFE-1 therefore lacked mature sperm. In addition, ife-1 spermatocytes prematurely accumulated pro-apoptotic CED-4, homolog to mammalian Apaf-1, during spermatogenesis. In ife-1 worms fertility was decreased by 80% due to decreased viability of both oocytes and spermatocytes. Our data indicate two unique roles for eIF4E (IFE-1 isoform) in late oogenesis and spermatogenesis. We suggest that IFE-1 preferentially recruits regulated mRNAs at critical times during germ cell development. ...
The Biochemical Characterization Of Neuronal K+ Channel N-Glycans And Their Role In Regulating K+ Channel Function
(East Carolina University, 2009)
The Kv3 and Kv1 subfamilies of voltage–gated K+ channels are critical components which contribute to action potential repolarization throughout the central nervous system. Here, it was shown that both absolutely conserved ...
Some Cardiomyopathy-Causing Troponin I Mutations Stabilize a Functional Intermediate Actin State
(East Carolina University, 2009-03-18)
We examined four cardiomyopathy-causing mutations of troponin I that appear to disturb function by altering the
distribution of thin filament states. The R193H (mouse) troponin I mutant had greater than normal actin-activated ...
The Distribution Of Regulated Actomyosin States Is Central To Cardiac Muscle Regulation And Disturbance Of This Distribution Leads To Congenital Cardiomyopathies
(East Carolina University, 2009)
Hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathies are congenital cardiac diseases that have an incidence of over one in five hundred and may lead to sudden cardiac death. One of the main impediments to directed treatment is ...