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ORCID

N/A

Access Type

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

thesis

Degree Program

Molecular & Cellular Biology

Degree Type

Master of Science (M.S.)

Year Degree Awarded

2014

Month Degree Awarded

September

Abstract

Lysosomal storage diseases are genetically inherited diseases caused by the dysfunction of lysosomal enzymes. In a normal cell, lysosomal enzymes cleave specific macromolecules as they are transported to the lysosome. However, in diseased cells, these lysosomal enzymes are either absent or malfunctioning, causing macromolecular substrates to accumulate, becoming toxic to the cell. Over fifty lysosomal storage diseases have been identified, collectively occurring in one out of 7,700 live births. We investigated the lysosomal enzyme β-galactosidase (β-gal). In order to study the biochemistry and enzymology of this protein a robust expression system was needed. The GLB1 gene has been inserted into Pichia pastoris creating high protein expressing cell lines. The result of this work will yield a high expression system for β-gal, which can then be subjected to structural and biochemical studies.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/5970625

First Advisor

Scott C Garman

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