Determining Tbpex13.2’S Potential For Glucose-Dependent Localization In Trypanosoma Brucei

Jamison Hite

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Biochemistry

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Nicholas Grossoehme, Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Geology, Winthrop University

Abstract

Human African sleeping sickness, scientifically known as trypanosomiasis, is a disease that is native to Sub-Saharan Africa, affecting roughly 50,000 to 70,000 people. This fatal disease is transmitted by tsetse flies. The tsetse flies infect the host human with a parasite called Trypanosoma brucei, causing the illness. Researchers have found that T. brucei has two different Peroxisomal Membrane Protein 13 (PEX 13) isoforms. This research focused on a peroxin found in the trypanosomes called PEX 13.2. This organism is the only one known to have both types of PEX 13. Both PEX 13s are involved in the processes of protein import, biogenesis, and organelle division, and are thus very important to trypanosomes’ cell lives. PEX 13.1 travels to another unidentified region of the cells (changes localization) depending on its carbon source. It has been postulated that PEX 13.2 is then taking PEX 13.1’s place. In order to prove this theory, this research attempts to discern whether or not PEX 13.2 exhibits glucose-dependent localization. Overall, the goal was to be able to transfect PEX 13.2 into trypanosomes to see if the results show glucose-dependent localization of PEX 13.2.

Start Date

4-11-2015 10:30 AM

End Date

4-11-2015 10:45 AM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 10:30 AM Apr 11th, 10:45 AM

Determining Tbpex13.2’S Potential For Glucose-Dependent Localization In Trypanosoma Brucei

Human African sleeping sickness, scientifically known as trypanosomiasis, is a disease that is native to Sub-Saharan Africa, affecting roughly 50,000 to 70,000 people. This fatal disease is transmitted by tsetse flies. The tsetse flies infect the host human with a parasite called Trypanosoma brucei, causing the illness. Researchers have found that T. brucei has two different Peroxisomal Membrane Protein 13 (PEX 13) isoforms. This research focused on a peroxin found in the trypanosomes called PEX 13.2. This organism is the only one known to have both types of PEX 13. Both PEX 13s are involved in the processes of protein import, biogenesis, and organelle division, and are thus very important to trypanosomes’ cell lives. PEX 13.1 travels to another unidentified region of the cells (changes localization) depending on its carbon source. It has been postulated that PEX 13.2 is then taking PEX 13.1’s place. In order to prove this theory, this research attempts to discern whether or not PEX 13.2 exhibits glucose-dependent localization. Overall, the goal was to be able to transfect PEX 13.2 into trypanosomes to see if the results show glucose-dependent localization of PEX 13.2.