Date of Award
Spring 2021
Thesis Type
Rollins Access Only
Degree Name
Honors Bachelor of Arts
Department
Biological Science
Sponsor
Jay Pieczynski
Committee Member
Sabrice Guerrier
Committee Member
Bobby Fokidis
Abstract
Neurons and their signaling properties perform the vital functions of motility and cognition. The essential signaling capabilities of neurons rely on a network of microtubules and motor proteins. This study seeks to clarify the cooperative properties of microtubules and their kinesins by evaluating the transport and release of acetylcholine in the presence of Aldicarb, Colchicine and Taxol. These drug conditions were subjected on wild type and constitutively active klp-4(ok3537) mutant C. elegans. The findings of this study imply that there is a cooperative balance between microtubule acetylation/stability and klp-4 activity which allows for the optimization of signaling properties. When constitutively active, the rate of acetylcholine transport and signaling is limited only by microtubule stability. Whereas the neuronal function of wild type C. elegans is also limited by the autoinhibited properties of unaltered klp-4.
Recommended Citation
Porter, Isabella, "Microtubule stability balances kinesin-mediated cholinergic signaling in C. elegans" (2021). Honors Program Theses. 143.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/honors/143
Rights Holder
Isabella Porter