Date of Award

5-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Biology

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes secreted by cardiac fibroblasts. Altered expression of MMPs plays an important role in congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases1,2. Emerging evidence has led us to consider the role of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PtdIns 4-kinase) in regulating MMP secretion in cardiac fibroblast cells3-7. PtdIns 4-kinase is a lipid kinase involved in various cellular processes including protein secretion. This project was designed to test the hypothesis that PtdIns 4-kinase controls MMP secretion. Techniques such as cardiac cell culture, transfection, and in-gel zymography were used for this experiment. Results demonstrated that PtdIns 4-kinase regulates MMP secretion. This research will provide insights in revealing molecular details of congestive heart failure and will contribute to the development of strategies against cardiovascular diseases.

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Faculty Mentor

Daryll DeWald

Departmental Honors Advisor

Kim Sullivan

Co-Faculty Mentor

Brett Adams