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Date of Award
Winter 2024
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Department or Program Affiliation
Biology
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dahlberg, Lina
Second Advisor
Rose, Jacqueline K.
Third Advisor
Galati, Nick
Abstract
The breakdown of misfolded proteins is key for cellular health. For proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), this breakdown is performed through endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD). ERAD uses a cascade of E1, E2, and E3 class enzymes to ubiquitylate un- or mis-folded proteins, signaling their destruction. We use the microscopic roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism for studying ERAD. This project investigated the regulation of a neuronal receptor, ODR-10. Our findings suggest that the E2, UBC-6, and the E3, HRDL-1, are required for normal ODR-10 abundance. We worked to uncover whether this regulation is cell autonomous or non-cell autonomous. ODR-10 is solely expressed in the AWA neurons, and the AWA neuron is regulated by the AMsh glial cell. We created rescue strains with transgenes expressing full-length UBC-6 or HRDL-1 in either the AWA neuron, the AMsh glia, or in cells that normally express the gene of interest. We measured the abundance of ODR-10 fused with green fluorescent protein (ODR-10::GFP) in each strain and compared it to ODR-10::GFP levels in a wildtype background. Unexpectedly, the presence of the rescue transgenes caused further disturbance to ODR-10::GFP abundance, and some even changed the shape of the AWA cilia. Our results raise further questions about the role UBC-6 and HRDL-1 may play in neuron-glial interactions, and the mechanism behind ODR-10 regulation.
Type
Text
Keywords
Protein Quality Control, Endoplasmic Reticulum Associated Degradation, Ubiquitin, Caenorhabditis elegans, Olfactory Receptors
Publisher
Western Washington University
OCLC Number
1427743609
Subject – LCSH
Proteolysis; Endoplasmic reticulum; Ubiquitin; Caenorhabditis elegans; Olfactory receptors
Format
application/pdf
Genre/Form
masters theses
Language
English
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Recommended Citation
Hulsey-Vincent, Heino, "Investigating the Role of ER-Associated Degradation in an Olfactory Neuron in the Nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans" (2024). WWU Graduate School Collection. 1271.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/1271