Synthesis of the gfp-tat Fusion Protein For Analysis of the Tat Cell Penetrating Peptide

Author

Chad Michael Walesky

Date of Graduation

Summer 2009

Degree

Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Committee Chair

Richard Garrad

Abstract

The phospho-lipid bilayer of the cell's plasma membrane acts as a hydrophobic barrier regulating the movement of molecules into and out of the cell. A small group of peptides known as "cell penetrating peptides" have been shown to traverse the cell membrane with the ability to carry with them information-rich macromolecules. The HIV Trans-activator of Transcription (Tat) peptide has been of recent interest in its activity as a cell penetrating peptide. The goal of this study was to create a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Tat fusion protein using recombinant DNA techniques. This fusion protein may then be used in further studies to visualize transduction of protein into 1321N1 Astrocytoma cells. The ability of Tat to transduce proteins will allow the expression of important inhibitors of signaling pathways.

Keywords

HIV trans-activator of transcription (Tat), cell penetrating peptide (CPP), green fluorescent protein (GFP), Tat-containing region, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Subject Categories

Medical Molecular Biology

Copyright

© Chad Michael Walesky

Recommended Citation

Walesky, Chad Michael, "Synthesis of the gfp-tat Fusion Protein For Analysis of the Tat Cell Penetrating Peptide" (2009). MSU Graduate Theses. 1844.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1844