ROLE OF A CONSERVED AMINO ACID MOTIF IN LOCALIZATION OF HUMAN CLIC5 TO MICROVILLI

<p>Hearing is one of the five senses and is important for survival and enrichment of life in numerous species. It is a complex and intricate biological process that is dependent upon the proper formation and maintenance of many structures. One of these structures is the hair bundle, known as the organelle of hearing. The hair bundle is composed of organized stereocilia, which are actin based projections from the apical surface of hair cells in the cochlea. I focus on the role of the protein Clic5, a member of the Clic family, which localizes to the base of stereocilia and is necessary for hearing in mice. This family is evolutionarily conserved and contains a highly conserved C-P-F-[S/C] motif that is also found in larger families such as the thioredoxin and glutathione S-transferase superfamilies. Because of its conservation and role in redox reactions within the larger families, I have targeted this motif for mutagenesis to determine its role in localization. </p><p>I have shown that the conserved CXXS motif in human Clic5 plays a critical role in the localization of Clic5 to microvilli, an actin based structure that can be used as a model for stereocilia. This was done by inducing mutations into the motif and examining the effects on the protein’s localization to microvilli in cultured LLC-PK1 cells. Within the motif, Cys32 is crucial for localization to microvilli, while Ser35 is not necessary for this localization. I have also shown that a S35C mutation, with or without the presence of Cys32, does not have an apparent effect on localization of Clic5 to microvilli.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Bachelor of Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

bachelors

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Ohio University Art and Sciences Honors Theses

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Plona, Kathleen Lynn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Tanda, Soichi

• Biology
• Cellular Biology
• Human Clic5
• microvilli, in vitro mutagenesis

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouashonors1340830402

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ouashonors1340830402