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Dissertation
Sphingolipid mediated changes in cell growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: effects on sterol & glucose metabolism
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
Dec 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009169
Abstract
The studies described in this text have examined how sphingolipids regulate cell growth in the single cell eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Towards this end, Chapters 1 and 2 have examined the mechanism of coordinate regulation of sphingolipid and sterol metabolism. Our studies included genetic and biochemical analyses of yeast mutant strains. In the case of Chapter 1, the temperature-sensitive sterol biosynthetic mutant, erg26-1, is the focus of study. Chapter 2 concentrates on the analysis of the putative sterol-binding protein, Arv1p, by utilizing a mutant strain lacking the ARV1 gene. Additionally, studies in Chapter 3 examine the impact of altered sphingolipid biosynthesis on glucose metabolism. For these studies we focus on elucidating the cellular mechanisms responsible for the observed genetic interaction between the RVS161 and SUR4 genes. The Rvs161p is an actin-cytoskeletal protein involved in endocytosis, and cells lacking Rvs161p exhibit growth defects on low concentrations of glucose. Sur4p is a very long chain fatty acid elongase required for proper sphingolipid biosynthesis, and deletion of the SUR4 gene suppresses the low glucose defects seen in the rvs161 mutant cells. These studies taken together provide important insights into basic eukaryotic cellular processes, that may lead to treatment modalities applicable to type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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Details
- Title
- Sphingolipid mediated changes in cell growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Creators
- Evelyn Joan Swain
- Contributors
- Jane Clifford (Advisor) - Drexel University, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002)Joseph T. Nickels (Advisor) - Drexel University, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002)
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 158 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Medicine (1993-1996, 1998-2002); Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888876004721