DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/JKPQ-T941
Defense Date
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biochemistry
First Advisor
L. Ashley Cowart, PhD
Abstract
Ceramides and sphingolipids make up major portions of the plasma membrane and therefore are crucial for cell proliferation, survival, and death. With dysregulation comes numerous pathophysiological conditions, such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's Disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers. However, the regulation of the enzymes responsible for catalyzing the formation of ceramides is still not well understood. In this experiment, three isoforms were of focus: CerS2, CerS5, and CerS6. Through mRNA, protein, and immunofluorescence analysis, it can be concluded that these isoforms do indeed interact within the human cell in order to upregulate their activity. It was also found that cells made to overexpress CerS2 also tend to express CerS5 and CerS6 to the point of interaction between the two proteins.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
7-31-2020