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- Title
- CHARACTERIZATION OF HEMERYTHRIN-LIKE PROTEIN RV2633C.
- Creator
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Cherne, Michelle D, Self, William, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Hemerythrin-like protein Rv2633c is a small 18 kDa protein that is expressed in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Sequence analysis of Rv2633c predicts the presence of a hemerythrin-like domain, which binds dioxygen using a �-oxo-bridge (Fe-O-Fe), rather than a heme group. Though it is noticeably upregulated during macrophage infection and during in vitro acidification, the role of Rv2633c in Mtb survival has yet to be elucidated. This project aims to characterize the function of Rv2633c by...
Show moreHemerythrin-like protein Rv2633c is a small 18 kDa protein that is expressed in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Sequence analysis of Rv2633c predicts the presence of a hemerythrin-like domain, which binds dioxygen using a �-oxo-bridge (Fe-O-Fe), rather than a heme group. Though it is noticeably upregulated during macrophage infection and during in vitro acidification, the role of Rv2633c in Mtb survival has yet to be elucidated. This project aims to characterize the function of Rv2633c by studying the in vitro response of the recombinant protein to conditions present in the macrophage lysosome, such as reduced oxygen levels or the presence of reactive oxygen species. UV-visible spectroscopy is used to observe these changes, as the spectrum shows a characteristic peak at 330 nm that likely corresponds to the diiron cofactor in its native state. Our results show this spectrum shifts in response to hydrogen peroxide addition, showing the proposed environmental conditions can affect the active site. Bioinformatics techniques, such as the 3D modeling program SWISS-MODEL, have been used to hypothesize possible structure and function. Determining the function of Rv2633c may help explain how Mtb so readily evades the human immune system to reside in the macrophage.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000011, ucf:45581
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000011
- Title
- Stable expression of tuberculosis vaccine antigen in lettuce chloroplasts.
- Creator
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Saikumar Lakshmi, Priya, Daniell, Henry, Khaled, Annette, Naser, Saleh, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is one of the leading reasons of death by an infectious bacterial pathogen. The development of TB vaccines has been recognized as a major public health priority by the World Health Organization. In this study, a potential candidate antigen, ESAT-6 (6 kDa early secretory antigenic target) was fused with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). Transplastomic lettuce plants were generated expressing these fusion proteins. Site-specific...
Show moreTuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is one of the leading reasons of death by an infectious bacterial pathogen. The development of TB vaccines has been recognized as a major public health priority by the World Health Organization. In this study, a potential candidate antigen, ESAT-6 (6 kDa early secretory antigenic target) was fused with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). Transplastomic lettuce plants were generated expressing these fusion proteins. Site-specific transgene integration into the chloroplast genome was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. In transplastomic leaves, expression levels of fusion protein (CTB-ESAT6) varied depending upon the developmental stage and time of leaf harvest with highest-level of accumulation in mature leaves harvested at 6PM. Transplastomic CTB-ESAT6 lettuce plants accumulated up to 0.75% of total leaf protein. Lyophilization increased CTB-ESAT6 protein content per gram of leaf material by 22 fold. Western blot analysis of lyophilized lettuce leaves showed that the CTB-ESAT6 fusion protein was stable and can be stored for prolonged period at RT. Hemolysis assay with purified CTB-ESAT6 protein showed partial hemolysis of red blood cells and confirmed functionality of ESAT-6 antigen. GM-1 binding assay demonstrated that the CTB-ESAT6 fusion protein formed pentamers to interact with GM1 ganglioside receptor. The expression of functional Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens fused to CTB in transplastomic plants should facilitate development of a cost-effective and orally deliverable TB vaccine with potential for long term storage at room temperature.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004487, ucf:49303
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004487
- Title
- SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS: TUBERCULOSIS, TNFΑ INHIBITORS, AND CROHN'S DISEASE.
- Creator
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Cao, Brent L, Naser, Saleh A., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Inflammation is often a protective reaction against harmful foreign agents. However, in many disease conditions, the mechanisms behind the inflammatory response are poorly understood. Often times, the inflammation causes adverse effects, such as joint pain, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Thus, many treatments aim to inhibit the inflammatory response in order to control adverse symptoms. Such treatments include TNFα inhibitors. However, a major risk associated with drugs...
Show moreInflammation is often a protective reaction against harmful foreign agents. However, in many disease conditions, the mechanisms behind the inflammatory response are poorly understood. Often times, the inflammation causes adverse effects, such as joint pain, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Thus, many treatments aim to inhibit the inflammatory response in order to control adverse symptoms. Such treatments include TNFα inhibitors. However, a major risk associated with drugs inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is serious infection, including tuberculosis (TB). Anti-TNFα therapy is used to treat patients with Crohn's disease, for which the risk of tuberculosis may be even more concerning. Recent literature suggests Crohn's might involve Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), an intracellular TB-like bacterium. This study seeks to investigate the risk of developing TB in patients with Crohn's disease treated with TNFα inhibitors. A meta-analysis synthesized existing evidence. Evidence came from published randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials of TNFα inhibitors for treatment of adult Crohn's disease. Twenty-three trials were identified, including 5,669 patients. The risk of tuberculosis was significantly increased in anti-TNFα treated patients, with a risk difference of 0.028 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0011-0.055). The odds ratio was 4.85 (95% CI, 1.02-22.99) when all studies were included and 5.85 (95% CI, 1.13-30.38) when studies reporting zero tuberculosis cases were excluded. The risk of tuberculosis is increased in patients with Crohn's disease treated with TNFα inhibitors. The medical community should be alerted about this risk and the potential for TNFα inhibitor usage favoring granulomatous infections and worsening the patient condition.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000360, ucf:45909
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000360