Biology with Microbiology and Molecular Biology THE EFFECTS OF BACTERIOPHAGE INFECTION ON BACILLUS ANTHRACIS DETA STERNE AND BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS

S 25 POST TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATION OF A BACTERIAL PROTEIN IN HUMAN CELLS. Moushimi Amaya, Ancha Baranova & Monique van Hoek, Department of Systems Biology, George Mason University, 10900 University Blvd., Manassas, VA 20110. This study is an on-going investigation into the post translational modification, the prenylation, of a Francisella tularensis protein in human cells. Prenylation is a lipid modification, whereby either a farnesyl or geranylgeranyl group is added to a nascent protein harboring a C-terminal CAAX motif, which results in subsequent targeting of the mature protein to the cell membrane. F.tularensis is a gram negative bacterium that causes the disease tularemia and can potentially be used a bioweapon due to its low infectivity dose (10-15 organisms) upon inhalation. Bioinformatical analysis using the Prenylation Prediction Suite program revealed a single F.tularensis protein that could potentially undergo prenylation. The proposed prenylated protein is 13kDa in size and is of unknown function. Human alveolar lung epithelial cells (A549) are the model system chosen to test for prenylation of the Francisella protein. Preliminary Western blot experiments have confirmed that the protein of interest is expressed in A549 cells. We aim to determine if prenylation does indeed occur in A549 cells. We further aim to investigate, by use of inhibitors, which type of prenylation is undertaken: farnesylation or geranylgeranylation. We also aim to determine the localization of the potentially prenylated Francisella protein in A549 cells by employing confocal microscopy analysis. FUNCTIONAL GEMOMIC ANALYSES REVEAL COMPLEX TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATORY NETWORKS MEDIATING DENDRITIC ARCHITECTURE. Eswar Prasad R. Iyer, Srividya Chandramouli Iyer, Ramakrishna Meduri, Dennis Wang, and Daniel N. CoxSchool of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20120, USA,Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA, Present Address: Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Elucidating the molecular mechanisms controlling dendrite development is key to understanding the pivotal role these structures play in influencing synaptic integration and neural function. Despite significant advances in this field, genetic pleiotropy remains a significant impediment to investigating such complex developmental processes. To circumvent this problem, we have applied class specific neuron transcriptional expression profiling coupled to an in vivo RNAi functional validation screen in order to dissect the molecular bases of Drosophila class IV dendritic arborization (da) neuron dendritogenesis. Microarray analyses reveal transcriptional regulation as one highly enriched biological and functional category with 420 transcription factors significantly expressed in class IV neurons. Among these, we identify roles for 268 genes in mediating a broad spectrum of functions including dendritic field coverage, branching, routing, and tiling. Collectively, our analyses provide a more comprehensive framework of the role complex transcriptional networks play in directing distinct aspects of class specific dendrite morphogenesis. CUT MEDIATED TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF THE COPII SECRETORY PATHWAY DIRECTS CLASS SPECIFIC DENDRITE MORPHOGENESIS IN DROSOPHILA. Srividya C. Iyer, Eswar P.R. Iyer, Virginia Journal of Science, Vol. 62, No. 1, 2011 http://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/vol62/iss1 VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 26 Ramakrishna Meduri, Madhu Karamsetty, & Daniel N. Cox, School of System Biology, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, Fairfax VA 22030. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms controlling dendrite development is key understanding how neuronal morphologies arise and how they function in achieving synaptic integration and neuronal function. Recent studies demonstrate select secretory pathway genes act in preferentially affecting dendritic growth. Phenotypic analyses of sec31 mutants reveal a reduction in dendritic branching implicating the COPII secretory pathway in regulating dendritic complexity. Furthermore, gain-of-function (GOF) analyses indicate sec31 differentially effects dendritic complexity in distinct da neuron subclasses. Microarray analyses, quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry experiments reveal that overexpression of the homeodomain transcription factor Cut upregulated expression levels of the COPII-mediated secretory pathway genes as well as another key transcription factor, CrebA. Moreover, simultaneous expression of Cut coupled with RNAi knockdown of CrebA suppressed the Cut GOF phenotype indicating that CrebA functions as a downstream effector of Cut mediated transcriptional regulation in da neurons. Consistent with this regulatory relationship, overexpression of CrebA in da neurons likewise leads to higher expression levels of components of ER-to-Golgi transport. Collectively, these findings provide novel insight into the role of transcriptional regulation of the COPII-mediated secretory pathway in mediating class specific dendrite morphogenesis. NEUROPEPTIDE AF-INDUCED ANOREXIA IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN HYPOTHALAMIC CHEMISTRY IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS. Brandon A. Newmyer and Mark A. Cline. Dept of Biol, Radford University, Radford VA 24142. We recently demonstrated that NPAF’s anorectic effect is associated with changes in hypothalamic chemistry in nuclei associated with satiety perception in Cobb-500 chicks. In order to elucidate whether this effect was conserved through divergent evolution, NPAF was centrally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats and food intake as well as NPAF-associated changes in brain chemistry were observed. NPAF reduced food intake in rats at similar doses and magnitudes as it did in chicks and also affected hypothalamic chemistry. Similar to chicks, central NPAF was associated with increased neuronal activation in the magnocellular region of the paraventricular nucleus. These data support that NPAF’s anorectic effect is conserved in a mammalian model and thus may be a logical target utilize in the treatment of human eating disorders. EFFECTS OF COMBINED VITAMIN C & E TREATMENT ON PLAQUE FORMATION IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. Anum K. Shaikh & Deborah A. O’Dell, Dept. of Biol., University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg VA 22401. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the inflammation and β-amyloid plaques in the brain. The improper cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) which leads to β amyloid plaques may result from inflammation. We studied the effects of these Vitamins E and C on inflammation and plaque formation in a transgenic mouse model of AD. Mice were divided into three experimental groups that received Vitamin C, Vitamin E or both Vitamin C and E for a period of 34 weeks beginning at 14 weeks of age. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Virginia Journal of Science, Vol. 62, No. 1, 2011 http://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/vol62/iss1