Reedy, Christy M
(2006)
Activation and Modification of Slpr-Mediated JNK Signaling.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Human diseases such as spina bifida are caused by a failure in cell morphogenesis and tissue fusion. Dorsal closure in the Drosophila embryo is a model for these tissue closure processes where proper Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling is necessary. JNK activity is required in the leading edge cells of the epithelial layer to modulate the cytoskeleton and cell shape, allowing the epidermis to close on the dorsal side of the embryo. The mixed lineage kinase (MLK), Slipper (Slpr), is the JNKKK which is responsible for activation of the pathway during dorsal closure. The pathway components that regulate Slpr, as well as upstream activation signals, are not yet identified. We have examined the involvement of the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen (Msn) to act as the JNKKKK in the JNK pathway during dorsal closure through a direct interaction between Msn and Slpr. By observing phenotypes of recombinant and heterozygous mutants of slpr and msn, we have examined the genetic interactions. Also, by using a non-biased screen, we have investigated unknown regulators of the Slpr-mediated JNK pathway which have an effect on dorsal closure. These techniques have begun to identify regulatory interactions of molecules within the JNK pathway, and have narrowed down regions of chromosome two which may contain new modifiers further regulating JNK signaling, in order to provide a robust and highly regulated tissue closure event.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
28 September 2006 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
9 August 2006 |
| Approval Date: |
28 September 2006 |
| Submission Date: |
16 August 2006 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Biological Sciences |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
dorsal closure; JNK pathway; slpr |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-08162006-123347/, etd-08162006-123347 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:59 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:49 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9123 |
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