Date of Graduation

Summer 2024

Degree

Master of Science in Biology

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Kyoungtae Kim

Abstract

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are cytoplasmic proteins essential for various immune responses such as reactions to infectious diseases, metabolic and cellular damage, fetal development, and cancer. Among the 22 identified NLR proteins, research has highlighted the significant roles of NLRP2 in fetal development. NLRP2 is also classified as a maternal effect gene and the mutation to this gene can lead to DNA methylation imprinting defects, altered gene expression, and conditions such as recurrent miscarriages (RMs). The protein EBP1, which has been found to have roles in embryonic development has been implicated in the regulation of DNA methylation. Recent studies have also suggested that EBP1 could be a novel interacting partner of NLRP2. This has been observed through coimmunoprecipitation and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) techniques as well. In this research, I looked at the interaction between these two proteins in detail by examining which domains of NLRP2 are important for the interaction of this protein with EBP1. Thus, this study provides a detailed insight into possible mechanism by which EBP1 or other proteins could interact with NLRP2 and regulate DNA methylation.

Keywords

NOD-like receptors, EBP1, DNA Methylation, PYD, LRR, NACHT, idiopathic recurrent miscarriages

Subject Categories

Biology | Immunology and Infectious Disease

Copyright

© Rakshya Bhatta

Open Access

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