http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/7278 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:33:14 GMT 2026-04-19T14:33:14Z https://minds.wisconsin.edu:443/bitstream/id/d0e20a25-152e-4f2c-9d90-4a694ab2acc3/biochem.jpg http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/7278 http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84966 Analysis of StAR RNA Splicing and Lipid Droplets Composition in MA10 Cells Under Different Stimuli Jing, Teresa Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is a transport protein which plays a key role in steroidogenesis. Different pathways can activate StAR transcription. cAMP activates PKA which phosphorylates CREB. PKA also inhibits SIK1 which allows CRTC2 to bind to p-CREB and activate transcription. Differently, HG9 inhibits SIK forms which activate CRTC2 and allow it to bind to non-phosphorylated CREB which promote transcription. In this project, we are exploring how StAR post-transcription, especially splicing, is regulated under different media conditions and stimuli, and how the composition of lipid droplets changes with different stimuli over time. We found that the lagging is prolonged with HG9 stimulation compared to Br-cAMP stimulation and the increase of lipid droplets are much more substantive with high concentration of Br-cAMP. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84966 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84964 Determining the requirement for viral DNA amplification in mediating the reorganization of cellular chromatin during the Epstein-Barr virus lytic cycle Kirschstein, Elijah We have uncovered how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induces the reorganization of cellular chromatin (ROCC), where host chromatin is compacted and marginated within the nucleus. We tested the role of EBV lytic DNA amplification in driving ROCC and learned that inhibiting it supports chromatin compaction but blocks margination. We favor two steps for EBV’s ROCC: EBV first mediates a cellular response leading to global chromatin compaction, and second, viral DNA synthesis drives margination of cellular DNA. We asked if the histone-associated simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA synthesis could substitute for EBV’s histone-free viral DNA synthesis and found that EBV’s ROCC is incompatible with SV40 DNA replication. We conclude that, during its lytic phase, EBV blocks DNA synthesis in which histones are loaded onto newly synthesized DNA, in favor of its own histone-free lytic DNA amplification. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84964 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84962 The Role of TIMP-1 after Spinal Cord Injury Mishra, Raveena Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84962 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84960 Investigating Fyv6’s role in splicing through RNA sequencing and selective protein depletion Zeps, Natalie Splicing of pre-mRNAs is an essential process for regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. Splicing is carried out by the spliceosome, a highly dynamic complex. Mutations within the spliceosome are responsible for various diseases in humans. Studies have recently provided evidence for a novel splicing factor Fyv6 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to be the homologous protein to human splicing factor FAM192A1 . Our publication on Fyv6 elucidated some of its function, however further research is necessary to fully understand Fyv6’s role within the spliceosome. Herein I describe experiments that would aid in further exploring this splicing factor through RNA sequencing and construction of yeast strains with an inducible degraded or sequestered Fyv6 protein. We outline initial RNA-seq experiment results and our efforts to tag Fyv6 in yeast for selective depletion. Through this work, we aim to further our understanding of the protein components that form the spliceosome, and its mechanism of gene regulation. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/84960 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z