Date of Award:

5-2013

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Randolph V. Lewis

Committee

Randolph V. Lewis

Committee

Daryll B. DeWald

Committee

Jon Y. Takemoto

Committee

Gregory J. Podgorski

Committee

Ilka M. Nemere

Abstract

Kisspeptins are hormones involved in the onset of puberty in adolescents and maintenance of reproductive function in adults. Defects in kisspeptin signaling are associated with many reproductive disorders. Kisspeptins were originally discovered as metastasis suppressors and have been found to suppress the metastasis of certain cancers. Unfortunately, many aspects of kisspeptin action at a cellular level remain unknown. Kisspeptins, therefore, are attractive candidates for large-scale production for use as research and therapeutic reagents. We developed a simple and cost effective method to express and purify kisspeptins in large quantities. We also tested the biological activity of kisspeptins on cells expressing receptors for kisspeptins and found that those produced in our lab behave similarly to the kisspeptins synthesized by chemical means. This research was funded by Synthetic Biomanufacturing Institute, Utah State University (USU).

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Included in

Biology Commons

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