OPTIMIZATION OF AN OPTOGENETICALLY ACTIVATED INITIATOR OF APOPTOSIS

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dc.access.optionOpen Access
dc.contributor.advisorHughes, Robert
dc.contributor.authorGodwin, Walton Colby
dc.contributor.departmentBiology
dc.date.accessioned2018-07-10T17:47:28Z
dc.date.available2020-01-23T09:01:54Z
dc.date.created2018-05
dc.date.issued2018-05-03
dc.date.submittedMay 2018
dc.date.updated2018-07-03T17:52:28Z
dc.degree.departmentBiology
dc.degree.disciplineBiochemistry
dc.degree.grantorEast Carolina University
dc.degree.levelUndergraduate
dc.degree.nameBS
dc.description.abstractOptogenetic tools provide a window into the world of cell signaling pathways and protein-protein interactions with a precision and elegance that other biological probes can struggle to achieve. The creation of optogenetic switches for the control of cell death pathways can provide insight into the mechanisms of apoptosis and form a basis for non-invasive, next generation therapeutic strategies. Previously, we have employed Cryptochrome 2 (Cry2)/CIB, a blue light photoreceptor protein - protein dimerization module from A. thaliana in conjunction with BAX, an OMM targeting pro-apoptotic protein, for light-mediated initiation of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and downstream apoptosis. In this work, we are further developing our light activated Cry2-BAX system (henceforth referred to as "OptoBAX") for "one click" initiation of the BAX-mediated apoptotic cascade. We also report results of experimental efforts to optimize our optogenetic switch to reduce light-independent cell death (dark activation), and to enhance experimental control of our switch by manipulating photophysical properties associated with the Cry2/CIB interaction.
dc.embargo.lift2019-05-01
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10342/6839
dc.publisherEast Carolina University
dc.subjectapoptosis
dc.subjectprogrammed cell death
dc.subjectoptogenetics
dc.subjectphotoactivatable protein
dc.titleOPTIMIZATION OF AN OPTOGENETICALLY ACTIVATED INITIATOR OF APOPTOSIS
dc.typeHonors Thesis
dc.type.materialtext

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