Investigation of Neural and Epithelial Cadherin Monomer Properties Using a Molecular Dynamics Approach

Neural and epithelial cadherin are adhesion proteins intensely studied by our lab. Although the sequence, structure, and conformation are similar for the two cadherins, there are several physical properties that differ: dimerization affinity, dimerization kinetics, intermediate structure, and critical residues for dimerization. In the presence of calcium, cadherins are in equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric states, and the scope of this thesis focuses on monomeric cadherin. These molecular dynamics evaluations are based on the testing of specific hypotheses regarding the intramolecular interactions of neural and epithelial cadherin. We particularly focus on interactions involving critical residues at the N-terminus of the proteins, the hydrophobic core residues, and the ionic surface area.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S. in Chemistry

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Fan, Lianyi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Susan Pedigo
• Michael Mossing
• Robert J. Doerksen

• Chemistry

Repository record dc:identifier

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1289

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:egrove.olemiss.edu:etd-2288