Expression and Function of a Putative Cox-Like Gene in D. melanogaster

<p>Cyclooxygenases (COX) are the enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. In mammals, isoform COX-1 is constitutively expressed, whereas the isoform COX-2 gene expression is induced, primarily at sites of inflammation. While eicosanoids play a major role in inflammation in insects, their existence in fruit flies has not been reported. Recent computational analyses by Qi and Singh (2014) have identified putative COX-like enzymes in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Here we compare the expression patterns of these enzymes and the effects of their knockdown in immune cells of D. melanogaster third instar larvae. Because of high genetic and biochemical conservation in metabolism and inflammation between flies and humans, comparative studies of this important class of enzymes is of fundamental importance and will also have therapeutic potential.</p> Cyclooxygenases (COX) are the enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. In mammals, isoform COX-1 is constitutively expressed, whereas the isoform COX-2 gene expression is induced, primarily at sites of inflammation. While eicosanoids play a major role in inflammation in insects, their existence in fruit flies has not been reported. Recent computational analyses by Qi and Singh (2014) have identified putative COX-like enzymes in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Here we compare the expression patterns of these enzymes and the effects of their knockdown in immune cells of D. melanogaster third instar larvae. Because of high genetic and biochemical conservation in metabolism and inflammation between flies and humans, comparative studies of this important class of enzymes is of fundamental importance and will also have therapeutic potential.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Batchu, Michelle S.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shubha Govind
• Sally Hoskins
• Chiyedza Small

• cyclooxygenases
• lipid droplets
• immunity
• Biology
• Cell and Developmental Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/608

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:cc_etds_theses-1608