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ORCID
N/A
Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Document Type
thesis
Degree Program
Food Science
Degree Type
Master of Science (M.S.)
Year Degree Awarded
2017
Month Degree Awarded
May
Abstract
Methylglyoxal is a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound, which is widely distributed in food products and beverages, and is particularly high in Manuka honey. In addition to its antibacterial effects, methylglyoxal is also known as a major precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), that produces altered macromolecules (such as proteins and DNA), leading to abnormal physiological changes. However, the effects of methylglyoxal on development is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine the role of methylglyoxal in this aspect using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Treatment of methylglyoxal at 0.1 mM and 1 mM for 48 h significantly inhibited development of C. elegans and reduced pumping rate. Activity, measured by moving speed, was increased with 0.1 mM methylglyoxal, but reduced with 1 mM methylglyoxal. Lifespan of C. elegans was not influenced by methylglyoxal at 0.1 mM, but was shortened at 1 mM. Treatment methylglyoxal on the mutant, lin-41, which has a precocious phenotype, could alleviate the implication on wild-type worms. These results suggested that methylglyoxal significantly influenced the development of C. elegans through the heterochronic pathway.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/10006627
First Advisor
Yeonhwa Park
Recommended Citation
Wang, Jiaying, "Methylglyoxal Influences Development of Caenorhabditis Elegans via Heterochronic Pathway" (2017). Masters Theses. 542.
https://doi.org/10.7275/10006627
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/542