Dissertations and Theses
Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Shubha Govind
Second Advisor
Sally Hoskins
Third Advisor
Chiyedza Small
Keywords
cyclooxygenases, lipid droplets, immunity
Abstract
Cyclooxygenases (COX) are the enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. In mammals, isoform COX-1 is constitutively expressed, whereas the isoform COX-2 gene expression is induced, primarily at sites of inflammation. While eicosanoids play a major role in inflammation in insects, their existence in fruit flies has not been reported. Recent computational analyses by Qi and Singh (2014) have identified putative COX-like enzymes in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Here we compare the expression patterns of these enzymes and the effects of their knockdown in immune cells of D. melanogaster third instar larvae. Because of high genetic and biochemical conservation in metabolism and inflammation between flies and humans, comparative studies of this important class of enzymes is of fundamental importance and will also have therapeutic potential. Cyclooxygenases (COX) are the enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. In mammals, isoform COX-1 is constitutively expressed, whereas the isoform COX-2 gene expression is induced, primarily at sites of inflammation. While eicosanoids play a major role in inflammation in insects, their existence in fruit flies has not been reported. Recent computational analyses by Qi and Singh (2014) have identified putative COX-like enzymes in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Here we compare the expression patterns of these enzymes and the effects of their knockdown in immune cells of D. melanogaster third instar larvae. Because of high genetic and biochemical conservation in metabolism and inflammation between flies and humans, comparative studies of this important class of enzymes is of fundamental importance and will also have therapeutic potential.
Recommended Citation
Batchu, Michelle S., "Expression and Function of a Putative Cox-Like Gene in D. melanogaster" (2016). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/608