Call number: LD2668 .T4 1978 R35 / Master of Science

Transcriptional regulation of genes is vital to cell success making it an important aspect of research. Transcriptional regulation can occur in many ways; transcription factors bind to the promoter region and block transcription, disrupt an activator protein, or interact with histones to lead to higher order chromatin. Plant HomeoDomain can recognize and bind to different methylation states of histone tails. PHD proteins use other functional regions to carry out functions. Two associated domains having DNA-binding capacity were characterized in this study; the ARID domains of JARID1A and JARID1C and the DDT domains of BAZ1A, BAZ1B and BAZ2A. These genes are important because of their roles in various diseases such as cancer. The consensus sequences for BAZ1A-DDT is GGACGGRnnGG, GnGAGRGCRnnGGnG, RAGGGGGRnG and CRYCGGT. Consensus sequences for BAZ1B-DDT were CGnCCAnCTTnTGGG and YGCCCCTCCCCnR. Consensus sequences for BAZ2A-DDT were TACnnAGCnY and CnnCCRGCnRTGnYY. Consensus sequence for JARID1A-ARID was GnYnGCGYRCYnCnG. Consensus sequences for JARID1C-ARID was RGGRGCCRGGY. / by Emmanuel MacDonald. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Transcriptional regulation by the family of SNAG (Snail/Gfi-1) zinc fingers has been shown to play a role in various developmental states and diseases. These transcriptional repressors have function in both DNA- and protein-binding, allowing for multiple interactions by a single family member. This work aims to characterize the SNAG members Slug, Smuc, Snail, Scratch, Gfi-1, Gfi-1B, and IA-1 in terms of both DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. The specific DNA sequences to which the zinc finger regions bind were determined for each member, and a general consensus of TGCACCTGTCCGA, was developed for four of the members. Via these studies, we also reveal thebinding affinities of E-box (CANNTG) sequences to the members, since this core is found for multiple members' binding sites. Additionally, protein-protein interactions of SNAG members to other biological molecules were investigated. The Slug domain and Scratch domain have unknown function, yet through yeast two-hybrid screening, we were able to determine protein interaction partners for them as well as for other full length SNAG members. These protein-interacting partners have suggested function as corepressors during transcriptional repression. The comprehensive information determined from these studies allow for a better understanding of the functional relationship between SNAG-ZFPs and other genes. The collected data not only creates a new profile for each member investigated, but it also allows for further studies to be initiated from the results. / by Cindy Chiang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

RNA damage occurring under oxidative stress has been shown to cause RNA dysfunction and must be detrimental to cells and organisms. We propose that damaged RNA can be removed by specific RNA surveillance activities. In this work, we investigated the role of polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), a 3'->5' exoribonuclease, in protecting the cells against oxidative stress and eliminating oxidatively-damaged RNA. Previously, it was reported that E. coli PNPase has a higher affinity to poly(8-oxoG:A). We further confirmed that E. coli PNPase can specifically bind to an oxidized RNA with a high affinity. An E. coli strain deficient in PNPase (pnp) is hypersensitive to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Importantly, the level of H2O2-induced RNA damage, measured by the content of 8-hydroxyguanosine, increases significantly in the pnp mutant cells. Consistent with the notion that PNPase plays a direct role in these processes, introduction of the pnp gene encoding E. coli PNPase can restore the viability and RNA oxidation level of the pnp mutant cells in response to H2O2 treatment. Interestingly, degradosome-association is not required for PNPase to protect cell against oxidative stress. PNPase is evolutionary conserved in most of organisms of all domains of life. The human polynucleotide phosphorylase (hPNPase) localizes mainly in mitochondria and plays pleiotropic roles in cell differentiation and has been previously shown to bind 8- oxoG-RNA with a high affinity. Here we show that similar to E. coli PNPase, hPNPase plays an indispensable role in protecting HeLa cells against oxidative stress. The viability in HeLa cell and 8-oxoG levels in RNA are inversely correlated in response to H2O2- treatment. After removal of oxidative challenge, the elevated level of 8-oxoG in RNA decreases, suggesting the existence of surveillance mechanism(s) for cleaning up oxidized RNA. / We have shown that hPNPase may be responsible for the surveillance of oxidized RNA in mammalian cells.Overexpresion of hPNPase reduces RNA oxidation and increases HeLa cell viability against H2O2 insult. Conversely, hPNPase knockdown decreases the viability and increases 8-oxoG level in HeLa cells exposed to H2O2. Taken together, our results suggest that RNA oxidation is a challenging problem for living organisms, and PNPase may play an important role in protecting both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by limiting damage to RNA under oxidative stress. / by Jinhua Wu. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Transcriptional regulation is an important area of research due to the fact that it leads to gene expression. Transcription factors associated with the regulation can either be activators or repressors of target genes, acting directly or with the aid of other factors. A majority of transcriptional repressors are zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) which bind to specific DNA sequences. The Snail/Gfi (SNAG) domain family, with members such as Slug, Smuc, Snail, and Scratch, are transcriptional repressors shown to play a role in various diseases such as cancer. The SNAG transcription factors contain a conserved SNAG repression domain and DNA binding domain zinc fingers. The specific DNA sequences to which each SNAG-ZFP binds, as well as a general consensus -TGCACCTGTCCGA, have been determined. Also, putative protein-protein interactions in which the Slug domain participates has been identified via binding assays. All these results contribute to better understanding of SNAG-ZFP functions. / by Cindy Chung-Yue Chiang. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Carbohydrate Active Enzyme family 6 (CA6) glycosyltransferases (GTs) are type II transmembrane proteins localized in the Golgi apparatus. CA6 GTs have a GT-A fold, a type of structure that resembles the Rossman fold and catalyze the transfer either galactose (Gal) or N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) from the UDP nucleotide sugar to an non-reducing terminal Gal or GalNAc on an acceptor via an a-1,3 linkage. In this reaction, the anomeric configuration of the sugar moiety of the donor is retained in the product. CA6 GTs includes the histo-blood group A and B GTs, a-galactosyltransferase (a3GT), Forssman glycolipid synthase (FS), isogloboside 3 synthase (iGb3) in mammals. a3GT and its products (a-Gal epitode) are present in most mammals but are absent in humans and old world primates because of inactivating mutations. The absence of a3GT and its products results in the production of anti-a-Gal epitope natural antibodies in these species. / Up to date, the catalytic mechanisms of the CA6 GTs are not well understood. Based on previous structural and mutagenesis studies of bovine aB3GT, we investigated active site residues (His315, Asp316, Ser318, His319, and Lys359) that are highly conserved among CA6 GTs. We have also investigated the role of the C-terminal region by progressive C-terminal truncations. Findings from these studies clarify the functional roles of these residues in structure, catalysis, and specificity in these enzymes and have implications for their catalytic mechanisms. GTs are useful tools in synthesis of glycans for various applications in science and medicine. Methods for the large scale production of pure glycans are continuously being developed. We created a limited randomized combinatorial library based on knowledge of structural information and sequence analysis of the enzyme and its mammalian homologues. / Two GalNAc-specific variants were identified from the library and one Glc-specific variant was identified by site-direct mutagenesis. The glycosyltransferase activities of these variants are expected to be improved by further screens of libraries which are designed using the variants as templates. The mammalian CA6 GTs that have been characterized to date are metal-independent and require the divalent cation, Mn2+ for activity. In some recently-discovered bacterial CA6 GTs, the DXD sequence that is present in eukaryotic GTs is replaced by NXN. We cloned and expressed one of these proteins from Bacteroides ovatus, a bacterium that has been linked with inflammatory bowel disease. Functional characterization shows it is a metal-independent monomeric GT that efficiently catalyzes the synthesis of oligosaccharides similar to human blood group A glycan. / Mutational studies indicated that despite the lack of a metal cofactor there are similarities in structure-function relationships between the bacterial and vertebrate family 6 GTs. / by Percy Tumbale. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

To Hing-lun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.iii / CONTENTS --- p.iv / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.vi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- Synthesis and Reactivity Studies of Copper Complexes Supported by a Pyridine-Containing Ligand / Chapter 1.A. --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.A.I. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.A.II. --- Dioxygen Activation by Copper-Containing Species --- p.2 / Chapter 1 A.III. --- Reactivity of Copper(I) Complexes Towards Dioxygen Binding --- p.11 / Chapter 1.A.IV. --- Synthetic Models for Copper-Containing Proteins --- p.12 / Chapter 1.A.V. --- Objective of This Work --- p.27 / Results and Discussion / Chapter 1.B. --- Synthesis and Characterization / Chapter 1.B.I. --- Synthesis / Chapter 1.B.I.a. --- Ligand Synthesis --- p.28 / Chapter 1.B.I.b. --- Synthesis of Copper(I) Complexes --- p.31 / Chapter 1.B.II. --- Characterization / Chapter 1.B.II.a. --- Physical Characterization of Complex25 --- p.33 / Chapter 1.B.II.b. --- Structural Studies / Chapter 1.B.II.b.i. --- Molecular Structure of Complex25 --- p.34 / Chapter 1.B.II.b.ii. --- Comparisons of The Structural Parameters of 25 with Those of 24 and Other [Cu1(u-Br)]2 Complexes --- p.37 / Chapter 1.B.II.c. --- Electrochemical Studies --- p.38 / Chapter 1.C. --- Reactivity Studies --- p.40 / Chapter 1.D. --- Summary --- p.44 / Chapter 1.E. --- Experimental Procedures --- p.45 / Chapter 1.F. --- References --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Synthesis and Reactivity Studies of Nickel Complexes With a N3O-Donor Ligand / Chapter 2.A. --- General Introduction / Chapter 2.A.I. --- Introduction --- p.61 / Chapter 2.A.II. --- Studies of Metal-Phenoxyl Radical Arrays --- p.67 / Chapter 2.A.III. --- Objective of This Work --- p.72 / Results and Discussion / Chapter 2.B. --- Synthesis and Characterization / Chapter 2.B.I. --- Synthesis of Nickel(II) Complexes --- p.73 / Chapter 2.B.II. --- Characterization / Chapter 2.B.II.a. --- Physical Characterization of Complexes 34 and 35 --- p.75 / Chapter 2.B.II.b. --- Structural Studies / Chapter 2.B.II.b.i. --- Molecular Structure of Complex 34 --- p.75 / Chapter 2.B.II.b.ii. --- Molecular Structure of Complex 35 --- p.78 / Chapter 2.B.II.b.iii. --- Structural Comparisons --- p.81 / Chapter 2.B.II.c. --- Electrochemical Studies --- p.82 / Chapter 2.C. --- Reactivity Studies --- p.84 / Chapter 2.D. --- Summary --- p.90 / Chapter 2.E. --- Experimental Procedures --- p.91 / Chapter 2.F. --- References --- p.94 / APPENDIX A General Procedure and Physical Measurements / Chapter A.I. --- General Procedures --- p.99 / Chapter A.II. --- Physical Measurements --- p.100 / APPENDIX B Crystallographic Data / Chapter B.I. --- Selected Crystallographic Data for Compounds 25，34 and 35 --- p.102

by Chan Sau Han. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.iii / CONTENTS --- p.iv / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.vi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1-A. --- Role of Copper in Biology --- p.1 / Chapter 1-B. --- A Brief Review on Radical Copper Proteins --- p.4 / Chapter 1-C. --- Objectives of This Work --- p.12 / Chapter 1-D. --- References --- p.13 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes containing N3O Tetradentate Ligands / Chapter 2-A. --- Introduction Results and Discussion --- p.14 / Chapter 2-B. --- Preparation of Tetradentate Ligands and Complexes --- p.27 / Chapter 2-C. --- Characterization --- p.36 / Chapter 2-D. --- Generation of Metal Phenoxyl Radical Species --- p.51 / Chapter 2-E. --- Summary --- p.57 / Chapter 2-F. --- References --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Copper(I) Complexes with N30 Tetradentate Ligands / Chapter 3-A. --- Introduction Results and Discussion --- p.62 / Chapter 3-B. --- Preparation of Copper(I) Complexes with N30 Tetradentate Ligands --- p.75 / Chapter 3-C. --- Characterization --- p.79 / Chapter 3-D. --- Reactivities of 86，87 and 88 toward Dioxygen --- p.88 / Chapter 3-E. --- Summary --- p.93 / Chapter 3-F. --- References --- p.94 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Experimental Sections / Chapter 4-A. --- General Preparations and Physical Measurements --- p.97 / Chapter 4-B. --- Compounds Described in Chapter2 --- p.99 / Chapter 4-C. --- Compounds Described in Chapter3 --- p.113 / Chapter 4-D. --- Oxo-Transfer to Triphenylphosphine as Described in Chapter3 --- p.117 / Chapter 4-E. --- References --- p.119 / Chapter APPENDIX A --- 1H and13 C̐ưث1H ̐ưحNMR Spectra / Chapter A-1. --- Compounds Described in Chapter2 --- p.120 / Chapter A-2. --- Compounds Described in Chapter3 --- p.127 / Chapter APPENDIX B --- Crystallographic Data / Chapter B-1. --- X-ray Crystal Structure Data for Complexes in Chapter2 --- p.131 / Chapter B-2. --- X-ray Crystal Structure Data for Complexes in Chapter3 --- p.133 / Chapter APPENDIX C --- GC-MS Spectra / Chapter C-1. --- GC-MS Spectra for Standard Samples --- p.134 / Chapter C-2. --- GC-MS Spectra for the Reactions with Triphenylphosphine Described in Chapter3 --- p.136

Wan Tai Fung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-111). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Thesis committee --- p.i / Statement --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / Chinese Abstract --- p.v / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / General Abbreviations --- p.ix / Abbreviations of Chemicals --- p.xi / Table of Contents --- p.xii / List of Figures --- p.xvi / List of Tables --- p.xvi / Chapter 1 --- Literature Review --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Soybeans --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Nutrient composition of soybean --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Nitrogen fixation and assimilation in soybean --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- The role in nitrogen allocation and controlling the nitrogen sink-source relationship of asparagine --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Characterization of asparagine synthetase --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- Biochemistry and molecular background of plant asparagine synthetase --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4.2 --- Asparagine synthetase in Arabadopsis thaliana --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.4.3 --- "Asparagine synthesis in soybean, Glycine max" --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.4.4 --- "Asparagine synthetase in rice, Oryza sativa" --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2 --- Seed protein quality and quantity improvement --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Nutrition composition of rice --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Molecular approaches for improving seed storage protein quality --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- Protein sequence modification --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- Synthetic genes --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.2.3 --- Overexpression of homologous genes --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.2.4 --- Transfer and expression of heterologous genes --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.2.5 --- "Manipulation of pathway synthesizing essential amino acids, aspartate family amino acid" --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Research in improving rice seed protein quality and quantity --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hypothesis and objective of this study --- p.23 / Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Plant materials --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Bacterial strains and vectors --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Growth conditions for soybean --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Chemicals and reagents --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- "Buffer, solution and gel" --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Commercial kits --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Equipments and facilities used --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Primers --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Growth condition for plant materials --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- General conditions for planting soybean --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Soybean seedlings for gene expression profile analysis --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Mature soybean for gene expression profile analysis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.1.4 --- Mature soybean for cloning of AS I and AS2 full length cDNA --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.1.5 --- Mature soybean seed for amino acid profile analysis --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.1.6 --- General conditions for planting transgenic rice in CUHK --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.1.7 --- Transgenic rice seedling for PCR screening --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.1.8 --- Transgenic rice for functional test and seed for biochemical analysis --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Molecular techniques --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Total RNA extraction --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Denaturing gel electrophoresis for RNA --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- Northern blot analysis --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2.3.1 --- Chemiluminescent detection --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2.3.2 --- Film development --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.2.4 --- Preparation of single-stranded DIG-labeled PCR probes --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.2.4.1 --- Primer design for the PCR probes of --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.2.4.2 --- Amplification of AS1 and AS2 internal PCR fragments --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.2.4.3 --- Quantitation of purified AS1 and AS2 PCR fragments --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2.4.4 --- Biased PCR to make single-stranded DNA probes --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2.4.5 --- Probe quantitation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2.5 --- Probe specificity test --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.2.6 --- Cloning of full length cDNA --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.2.6.1 --- First strand cDNA synthesis from RNA of high protein content soybean leaf --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.2.6.2 --- PCR for amplification of AS1 and AS2 full length cDNA --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.2.6.3 --- Preparation of pBluescript II KS(+) T-vector for cloning --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.2.6.4 --- Ligation of DNA inserts into pBluescript II KS(+) T-vector --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2.6.5 --- Preparation of E. coli DH5α CaCl2-mediaed competent cells --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2.6.6 --- Transformation of E. coli DH5α competent cell --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.2.7 --- Screening of recombinant plasmids --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.2.7.1 --- Isolation of recombinant plasimid DNA from bacterial cells --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2.7.2 --- PCR screening on recombinant plasmids --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2.7.3 --- DNA gel electrophoresis --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2.8 --- Sequencing and homology search --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.2.9 --- Functional test using transgenic plant --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.2.9.1 --- Preparation of chimeric gene constructs and recombinant plasmids --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.2.9.2 --- Agrobacterium mediated transformation into rice calli to regenerate transgenic AS1/ AS2 rice --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.2.10 --- PCR Screenig of homozygous and heterozygous transgenic plants --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.2.10.1 --- Isolation of genomic DNA from transgenic plants --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2.10.2 --- PCR screening using genomic DNA --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2.11 --- Quantitative PCR analysis on transgenic plants --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Biochemical Analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- Quantitative amino acid analysis in mature soybean seeds --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- Quantitative amino acid analysis in mature transgenic rice grain --- p.49 / Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.50 / Chapter 3.1 --- Amino acid analysis on mature soybean seeds --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2 --- Expression pattern analysis of AS genes by Northern Blot analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Making of single strand digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled probe --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Probe specificity --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- AS expression level under light/dark treatments by Northern Blot analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- AS expression level in young seedlings by Northern Blot analysis --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- AS expression level in podding soybean by Northern Blot analysis --- p.64 / Chapter 3.3 --- Cloning of AS genes from high protein content soybeans --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- "PCR amplification of AS1 and AS2 full length cDNA from the first-strand cDNA of high portein content cultivar soybean, YuDoul2" --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Nucleotide sequences analysis of AS1 and AS2 full-length cDNA clones --- p.68 / Chapter 3.4 --- Construction of AS1 and AS2 transgenic rice --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Construction of AS1 and AS2 constructs --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Transformation of chimeric gene constructs into Agrobacterium tumefaciens --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Agrobacterium mediated transformation into Oryza sativa calli to regenerate transgenic rice --- p.76 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- PCR screening of transgene from transgenic AS1 and AS2 rice --- p.76 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Quantitative PCR analysis of the transgene expression --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Quantitative amino acid analysis in mature transgenic rice grain --- p.83 / Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.89 / Chapter 4.1 --- The role of asparagine and asparagine synthetase in nitrogen assimilation and sink-source relationship in soybean --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2 --- Comparative study of AS between different high seed protein content crops --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3 --- The attempt to find out the reason for the strong AS1 expression detected in high protein soybean cultivars --- p.92 / Chapter 4.4 --- Other factors affecting seed protein contents --- p.93 / Chapter 4.5 --- Rice seed quality improvement by nitrogen assimilation enhancement --- p.94 / Chapter 4.6 --- Comparative study of amino acid profile and seed total protein in other transgenic rice --- p.95 / Chapter 4.7 --- Possible reason of higher seed protein content in AS2 transgenic rice --- p.96 / Chapter 4.8 --- Selectable marker --- p.97 / Chapter 5 --- Conclusion and Prespectives --- p.99 / Chapter 6 --- References --- p.102 / Chapter 7 --- Appendix --- p.112 / Appendix I: Major chemicals and reagents used in this research --- p.112 / "Appendix II: Major buffer, solution and gel used in this research" --- p.114 / Appendix III: Commercial kits used in this research --- p.117 / Appendix IV: Major equipments and facilities used in this research --- p.118 / Appendix V: Primer list --- p.119

Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are RNA-protein complexes that carry out a variety of key cellular functions and are essential for the regulation of gene expression. Small nuclear RNPs (snRNPs) are a class of RNPs that regulate gene expression at the level of RNA processing in the nucleus. These RNPs are subject to complex and highly regulated biogenesis pathways in order to ensure sufficient snRNP levels are present within the cell. snRNPs are required for viability of all eukaryotic cells and the importance of proper snRNP function in vivo is further highlighted by the fact that the fatal motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by a genetic deficiency in the ubiquitously expressed survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, an essential component of the snRNP biogenesis machinery. The most well characterized targets of SMN for RNP assembly are the spliceosomal snRNPs, which are critical factors that carry out pre-mRNA splicing. However, SMN is not believed to be solely dedicated to spliceosomal snRNP biogenesis but rather is thought to be a general RNP assembly machine. Yet, no other RNP targets of the SMN complex had previously been characterized in a conclusive manner. Understanding the cellular targets of SMN-mediated RNP assembly is critical for elucidating basic mechanisms of RNA regulation. Furthermore, despite increased understanding of the molecular function of SMN in spliceosomal snRNP biogenesis and the cellular basis of SMA in animal models, the molecular mechanisms through which loss of SMN function leads to motor neuron disease remain poorly defined. Thus, identifying additional RNP pathways that are dependent on SMN is key to uncover the molecular mechanisms of SMA and may also help in the design of novel therapeutic approaches to this devastating childhood disorder that is currently untreatable. In an effort to expand on the established RNP targets of SMN for assembly, in this dissertation I explore the hypothesis that SMN is required for the biogenesis and function of U7 snRNP and that disruption of this pathway induced by SMN deficiency contributes to motor neuron pathology in SMA. While structurally analogous to spliceosomal snRNPs, U7 snRNP functions not in splicing but rather in the unique 3’-end processing mechanism of replication-dependent histone mRNAs. Here, I first provide detailed molecular characterization of the in vivo functional requirement of SMN for U7 snRNP biogenesis as well as histone mRNA 3’-end processing and proper histone gene expression. I go on to demonstrate that in a mouse model of SMA U7 snRNP biogenesis and function are severely impaired by SMN deficiency and these defects occur in disease-relevant SMA motor neurons. I then describe the development of a novel molecular strategy to restore U7 snRNP activity in a setting of SMN deficiency in order to investigate the functional consequences of U7 dysfunction in SMA. Finally, I apply this U7 restoration strategy to a mouse model of SMA using AAV9-mediated gene delivery and establish that disrupted U7 activity contributes to select aspects of motor neuron dysfunction in SMA mice. Collectively, my dissertation work provides a significant expansion in our understanding of RNP pathways controlled by SMN and, for the first time, establishes the contribution of an SMN-dependent RNA pathway to SMA pathology in a mouse model of the disease that best recapitulates the human condition both genetically and phenotypically. The continuation of this work in the future not only may lead to a detailed molecular understanding of the mechanisms of SMA but possibly also to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for this deadly disease that are complementary to SMN upregulation.