Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Gasser, Kenneth W.

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

The pancreas is a model tissue that has been extensively studied in the lab of my research supervisor. They have shown that nitric oxide is produced by the pancreas and is necessary for sectretion; however, the mechanism of action remained to be identified. The goal of my research over the past year was to investigate the signaling role of nitric oxide, the peroxynitrite producing enzyme NADPH oxidase NOX-4, and the nitrosylation oftarget proteins on the zymogen granule membrane as a potential mechanism to regulate cytoskeletal reorganization and migration of the secretory vesicles. In addition, I performed research to understand the role of the small monomeric G-protein Rae in the process of secretion and cytoskeletal reorganization. Pancreatic zymogen granules were isolated from both control and CCK-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells. A reproducible nitrosylated band was identified following stimulation of the pancreatic acinar cells with CCK. In addition, these granules were probed for Rae activity by western blots. The results show a significant increase in the level of Rae G-protein following stimulation, which suggests that there is an increased level of superoxide production when cells are stimulated, thereby providing the superoxides necessary in the hypothesized mechanism of nitrosylation.

Extent

15 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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