Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Walstrom, Katherine
Area of Concentration
Biochemistry
Abstract
VF13D12L.3 is a gene sequence in C. elegans, whose function is currently unknown. It is theorized to be a glyoxysomal malate dehydrogenase due to the presence of domains similar to that of malate dehydrogenases as well as a glyoxysomal import sequence. Malate dehydrogenases play a key role in the metabolism of sugars. These enzymes catalyze the oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate. This oxidation occurs in a number of metabolic pathways, but here the investigation lies with the possible role of VF13D12L.3 in the glyoxylate cycle. The glyoxylate cycle is important in invertebrates for the metabolism of fatty acids for energy. This research demonstrates a successful method for the transformation, induction, and purification of the VF13D12L.3 protein. Several substrates were tested in enzyme kinetics experiments, but no substrates that were tested elicited significant enzyme activity.
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Conor, "ISOLATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE C. ELEGANS PROTEIN VF13D12L.3" (2016). Theses & ETDs. 5294.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5294