UDP-glucose, the precursor for cellulose biosynthesis, can be produced via the catalysis of sucrose by sucrose synthase (SuSy) or through the phosphorylation of glucose-I-phosphate by UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase). As such, these genes, together with sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) which recycles fructose (an inhibitor of SuSy), are interesting targets for altering carbon allocation in plants. In an attempt to alter cell wall biosynthesis in plants, targeted overexpression of SuSy, UGPase and SPS independently and in a pyramiding strategy was assessed in tobacco. All lines displayed enhanced growth and biomass production, and in the case of double and triple transgenics, there was an additive effect. Despite the increased growth rates, there was no consistent change in soluble carbohydrate pools. Furthermore, only the triple transgenics had constant changes in structural carbohydrates: with increased hemicellulose content and slight increases in cellulose. Collectively, these results support the role of SPS, SuSy and UGPase in maintaining sink strength, but suggest that the reallocation of carbon to cellulose production in tobacco may not be possible by overexpressing these genes. In contrast, transgenic poplar overexpressing UGPase produced significantly more cellulose than wild-type trees. However, this was accompanied by a severe reduction in growth and the production of a salicylic acid glucoside (SAG) in significant quantities. The UDP-glucose generated by UGPase overexpression appeared to participate in both the synthesis of cellulose and SAG, suggesting that cellulose biosynthesis may be limited by the cellulose synthase complex. Poplar transformed with SuSy and with SuSy x UGPase also had increased cellulose production. The trees were phenotypically normal, with only minor reductions in height growth in some lines. It appears that UDP-glucose may be channelled directly to the cellulose synthase complex by SuSy. The increased cellulose content was associated with an increase in cell wall crystallinity, but there was no change in microfibril angle, confirming the re-allocation to cellulose synthesis was not the result of tension wood formation, again supporting the hypothesis that the cellulose synthase complex is the limiting factor. Clearly, it is possible to alter cellulose deposition in trees by augmenting sucrose metabolism to produce UDP-glucose, the precursor to cellulose biosynthesis.

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Amyloid fibrils are a misfolded state formed by many proteins when subjected to denaturing conditions. Their constituent amino acids make them an excellent target for enzyme immobilisation and their strength, stability and nanometre size are attractive features for exploitation in the creation of new bionanomaterials. The aim of this thesis was to functionalise amyloid fibrils by conjugation to glucose oxidase (GOD). GOD is a relatively stable glycoprotein that catalyses the oxidation of glucose and the release of hydrogen peroxide. The consumption of glucose can be measured to assess glucose levels, and the release of hydrogen peroxide is cytotoxic to cells and is thus an effective antibacterial agent. Three methods of attachment were used: cross-linking using glutaraldehyde, periodate oxidation of the glycoprotein shell, and cross-linking using glutaraldehyde following deglycosylation. GOD retained activity upon attachment by all three methods. These attachment methods were assessed using electrophoresis, centrifugation, sucrose gradient centrifugation and TEM. Gel electrophoresis indicated a high degree of cross-linking and TEM showed no significant change of fibril morphology upon cross-linking. Centrifugation experiments suggested a non-covalent interaction was occurring between amyloid fibrils and GOD, and a covalent attachment was occurring upon addition of glutaraldehyde. Sucrose gradient centrifugation provided increased separation of cross-linked material compared to other separation methods, and showed greater cross-linking to crystallin amyloid fibrils than insulin fibrils. Cross-linking native GOD using glutaraldehyde was chosen for further experiments, as it was found to be most effective for GOD attachment to amyloid fibrils. The resulting functionalised enzyme scaffold was then incorporated into a model poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) film, to create a new bionanomaterial. The distribution of the functionalised fibrils through the film was characterised using SEM and confocal microscopy, where film components were found to be unevenly dispersed. The antibacterial effect of the functionalised film was then tested on E. coli and the antifungal effect of the film was tested on Fusarium, Rhizopus and Penicillium. Growth of E. coli was inhibited around functionalised film circles, demonstrating the incorporation of GOD antibacterial activity into the PVOH film. However, no growth inhibition of fungal species was observed. This work is of significance as it demonstrates the ability to convert a waste material, bovine lens crystallin, to high value protein nanofibres and incorporate functionality via GOD attachment. The incorporation of the GOD-functionalised amyloid fibrils into PVOH provides an excellent ‘proof of concept’ model for the creation of a new bionanomaterial using a functionalised amyloid fibril scaffold. Future development of this model system has the potential to lead to the production of a novel biomaterial for use in food packaging due to the antimicrobial properties of GOD.

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Insulin stimulates glucose transport into muscle cells and adipocytes via a process that involves the translocation of GLUT4 proteins from intracellular stores to the cell membrane. The pathway by which this translocation takes place has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the calciumdependent calmodulin protein kinase II (CAMKII) inhibitor KN-62 on insulin stimulated 3-0-methylglucose transport in isolated rat epitrochlearis muscles. The primary finding of this investigation was that KN-62 decreased insulin stimulated glucose transport by -35%. KN-04, a structural analogue of KN-62, did not affect insulin stimulated glucose transport. Additional experiments showed that the L-type calcium (Ca 2+) channel inhibitor nifedipine inhibited glucose transport to a similar extent as KN-62 (-29%). Furthermore, no additive inhibitory effect was seen when KN-62 and nifedipine were used in combination. The results of this investigation suggest that CAMKII has a critical role in insulin stimulated glucose transport, and this role may be dependent upon L-type Cat- channel activation. / School of Physical Education

The Effects of a glucocorticoid-antagonist on IGF1-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle of hindlimb suspended rats. Barnes B.R., T.C. Selix, D.C. Wright, and B.W. Craig. Ball State University, Muncie, IN.The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a glucocorticoid-antagonist (RU486) on insulin-like-growth-factor-1 (IGF1)stimulated glucose transport following two weeks of hindlimb suspension (HS) on 100 gm male rats. After two weeks of HS and/or oral RU486 administration the animals were anesthetized, and the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles isolated and clamped at their resting length. Following an incubation series to prepare the muscle, the muscle was incubated in radioactive 3-O-methylglucose for 10 min. in the presence/absence of 75 ng/ml of IGF1, digested with 0.5 NaOH, and the amount of glucose transported measured. Two weeks of RU486 treatment significantly (P:5 0.05) elevated IGF1-stimulated glucose transport of SOL (0.576 ± 0.071 vs 1.405 ± 0.172), whereas the EDL was unaffected (2.728 0.258 vs 2.613 ± 0.182). The removal of glucocorticoids via RU486 administration significantly increased glucose uptake in HS exposed soleus muscles. The EDL was not affected by RU486 treatment. / School of Physical Education

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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-57). / x, 57 leaves, bound col. ill. 29 cm