Author
Lin, Zhongqian
Other Contributors
Wang, Chunyu; Barquera, Blanca L.; Hurley, Jennifer;
Date Issued
2018-05
Subject
Biochemistry and biophysics
Degree
MS;
Terms of Use
This electronic version is a licensed copy owned by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Copyright of original work retained by author.;
Abstract
The overexpression of the Hedgehog signaling pathway is involved in the development of many cancers. The pathway is activated by the autoprocessing of the Hedgehog precursor, without the need of any accessory protein. Understanding the mechanism of autoprocessing could potentially contribute to the development of novel anti-cancer therapy. The aspartic acid at position 46 (D46) of the Drosophila melanogaster Hedgehog precursor Hint domain plays a vital role in autoprocessing, and a catalytic mechanism was proposed. On the other hand, other organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans have a naturally occurring histidine at position 46 (H46). Interestingly, the H46 does not follow the previous proposed mechanism of the Drosophila melanogaster Hedgehog. In this study, the wild type D46 Hint domain of Hedgehog precursor was overexpressed and purified. HSQC and HMQC NMR experiments were conducted to verify the structural properties of D46. pKa value of D46H was determined as 5.79 by pH titration based on HMQC. The HSQC and HMQC of the wild type D46 were compared with the previously determined structural data of a D46H mutant.;
Description
May 2018; School of Science
Department
Biochemistry and Biophysics Program;
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Relationships
Rensselaer Theses and Dissertations Online Collection;
Access
Restricted to current Rensselaer faculty, staff and students. Access inquiries may be directed to the Rensselaer Libraries.;