Graduation Semester and Year
2021
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Quantitative Biology
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Mark W Pellegrino
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential for energy production, metabolic signaling, calcium homeostasis, and other roles. Consequently, mitochondrial dysfunction can result in cellular decline and the onset of disease. Cells use the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) to facilitate the recovery of damaged mitochondria to restore homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that the UPRmt plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and cancer survival. Therefore, UPRmt inhibition may be used as an anticancer strategy with great therapeutic results. Moreover, a known paradigm exists between mitochondrial stress signaling and the regulation of organismal lifespan. Since the UPRmt is activated during mitochondrial stress, it is believed to be involved in the process of aging, albeit with some controversy. In addition to organismal aging, the UPRmt is associated with protecting the host during infection via the regulation of innate immunity. Understanding the mechanisms associated with UPRmt activation, therefore, has relevance to our fundamental understanding of mitochondrial recovery, as well as having potential practical applications in the biomedical field. With these implications in mind, my dissertation aims to investigate the regulation of the UPRmt using genetic and chemical means, using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.
Keywords
Mitochondria, Mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), Worms, Lifespan
Disciplines
Biology | Life Sciences
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Raisa Amin, Mustafi, "CHEMICAL AND GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE MITOCHONDRIAL UNFOLDED PROTEIN RESPONSE" (2021). Biology Dissertations. 156.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/biology_dissertations/156
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington