Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
5-2023
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Patrick Bradshaw
Committee Members
Tyrone Genade, Chad Fraiser
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2 can damage cellular components and are formed as a byproduct of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Studies using the nematode C. elegans have found that increasing ROS during development or early adulthood can extend lifespan, while increasing ROS during later adulthood normally decreases lifespan. NADPH provides the reducing power for several cellular antioxidants and is synthesized in a two-step reaction from NAD+ with the first step being catalyzed by NAD kinase (NADK). In this study, the effects of knocking down C. elegans cytoplasmic NADK, nadk-1 globally or in a neuron or intestine-specific manner starting from early development on oxygen consumption and ROS levels were determined. Surprisingly, whole body knockdown of nadk-1 to decrease cytoplasmic NADPH levels decreased oxygen consumption and tert-butyl hydroperoxide-stimulated ROS levels, which was phenocopied by intestine-specific or neuron-specific knockdown. Thioredoxin reductase measurements following nadk-1 knockdown showed a trend toward increased activity.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Regan, Jake, "Neuronal or Intestinal Knockdown of C. elegans nadk-1 Decreases Oxygen Consumption and Reactive Oxygen Species" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4220. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4220
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.