DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/7K5H-VG09
Defense Date
2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Scott Gronert
Abstract
It is well established that free radical mediated oxidative stress plays a critical role in aging and age-related diseases. Among the post-translational protein modifications, carbonylation has attracted a great deal of attention due to its irreversible and irreparable nature. Despite the fact that protein carbonylation is associated with a series of physiological and pathological processes, there are still issues to be clarified such as why certain proteins are more vulnerable to modification, what are the locations of the protein modifications, and how does the nature of the oxidant affect the preferred site of modification. In this study, we will seek an answer to these questions and examine the global effect of oxidative stress on protein abundance. The study embraces three distinct specific aims. In the first, methods are developed for identifying sites of protein carbonylation. In the second specific aim, these methods are used to identify carbonylaytion sites in model proteins subjected to chemical oxidants. In the third aim, the focus is on a model organism, C. elegans, subjected to paraquat-induced oxidative stress. This is exploratory work and mass spectrometry is used to assess the impact of oxidative stress on the mitochondrial proteome.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
August 2012