Date of Graduation
Summer 2018
Degree
Degree Name Master of Accountancy Master of Science in Applied Anthropology Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis Master of Applied Second Language Acquisition Master of Science in Athletic Training Doctor of Audiology Master of Science in Biology Master of Business Administration Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology Master of Science in Chemistry Master of Science in Child Life Studies Master of Arts in Communication Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders Master of Science in Computer Information Systems Master of Science in Counseling Specialist in Education in Counseling and Assessment Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Master of Science in Cybersecurity Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development Master of Science in Education in Educational Administration Master of Science in Education in Educational Technology Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education Master of Arts in English Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences Master of Global Studies Master of Health Administration Master of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness Management Master of Arts in History Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Master of Science in Education in Literacy Master of Science in Materials Science Master of Science in Mathematics Master of Music Master of Natural and Applied Science in Agriculture Master of Natural and Applied Science in Biology Master of Natural and Applied Science in Chemistry Master of Natural and Applied Science in Computer Science Master of Natural and Applied Science in Geography, Geology, and Planning Master of Natural and Applied Science in Mathematics Master of Natural and Applied Science in Physics Master of Science in Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Master of Occupational Therapy Master of Science in Plant Science (Agriculture) Master of Science in Plant Science (Biology) Master of Science in Plant Science (Chemistry) Master of Science in Project Management Master of Science in Psychology Master of Public Administration Master of Public Health Master of Arts in Religious Studies Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Agriculture Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Art Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Biology Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Chemistry Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Earth Science Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in English Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Geography Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in History Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Mathematics Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Natural Science Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Physical Education Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Physics Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Social Studies Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Speech and Theatre Master of Science in Education in Special Education Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies Master of Arts in Writing Master of Arts in Theatre
Department
Biomedical Sciences
Committee Chair
Joshua Smith
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive parts of the genome that act as a protective end cap to the chromosomes. Telomeres are critical to the integrity and stability of the genome, therefore, ensuring that their sequence is maintained, even after damage, is crucial. Much of the pioneering work responsible for explaining telomeres has been conducted in ciliates, specifically in Tetrahymena thermophila. Telomeres in T. thermophila have a high amount of tandem thymine repeats (GGGGTT) and, thus, are susceptible to ultraviolet light (UV) induced lesions called pyrimidine dimers, which must be repaired by nucleotide excision repair (NER). In humans, Xeroderma Pigmentosum C (XPC) is a protein that helps recognize DNA damage in NER. The Tetrahymena thermophila homolog to XPC (RAD4) showed strong evolutionary conservation to higher level eukaryotes making it an ideal model organism. RAD4 expression was depleted by cloning and expressing a short hairpin RNA gene that will target RAD4. After both UV and hydrogen peroxide treatment, Rad4 depleted cells had reduced survivability. Moreover, a DIG-labeled detection assay was developed for detection of telomere length, without the use of radioactivity. Telomere length increased in the absence of Rad4 which reveals its role in telomere maintenance. This work ultimately provides two new resources to the fields of NER and telomeres by means of Rad4 knockdown T. thermophila strains, and DIG-labeled telomere detection assay.
Keywords
DNA repair, telomeres, RAD4, XPC, NER, Tetrahymena thermophila, DIG labeling
Subject Categories
Cell Biology | Molecular Biology
Copyright
© Emily Nischwitz
Recommended Citation
Nischwitz, Emily, "The Role of RAD4 in DNA Repair and Its Interplay with Telomeres in Tetrahymena thermophila" (2018). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 3294.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3294
