Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Department

Biology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The α2 isoform of collagen IV’s noncollagenous 1 domain (α2NC1 or canstatin) has shown promise as an anti-cancer molecule, possessing both angiostatic and pro-apoptotic properties. This work aims to further the knowledge of α2NC1 by conducting a truly in vivo study in which the Gal4-induced endogenous overexpression of α2NC1 in Drosophila melanogaster will be used to assess the effects of α2NC1 upon normal development as well as tumorigenesis. To this end, transgenic fly lines capable of overexpressing α2NC1 were created. Initial overexpression studies indicated no developmental phenotype was caused by abundance of α2NC1. However, future overexpression studies in which α2NC1 is exported to its native extracellular location may reveal roles for α2NC1 in normal development and/or tumorigenesis.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Ajay Srivastava, Ph.D.

Disciplines

Biochemistry | Biotechnology

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