College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-05 11:33:17
Major
Biomedical Science
Honors Course
3100:499:002
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Fall 2021
Abstract
The primary objective of this project was to determine the effect of CXCL12 ligand binding on the CXCR4 receptor, specifically, how it would impact receptor internalization and dimerization. The CXCL12 ligand derives from the stromal cell-derived alpha family [8]. The CXCR4 receptors, known as C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 play an essential role in controlling cell proliferation. When misregulated, these receptors can drive tumorigenesis and are thus important targets of cancer therapy. These G protein-coupled receptors stimulate a cascade of signaling pathways in specific tissues [1]. These pathways include the positive transcriptional control of CXCR4 via the Nuclear Respiratory Factor-1 (NFR-1) and also include cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) for CXCR4 expression [2]. From prior studies, it is evident that this receptor has multiple purposes apart from controlling cell proliferation and that is it also controls leukocyte trafficking, and hematopoiesis [5]. My goal was to investigate how the CXCR4 internalization and dimerization is altered by ligand stimulation. I measured CXCR4 levels at the plasma membrane using fluorescent imaging. Dimerization was measured with a time-resolved fluorescence method called PIE-FCCS. This technique allows the study of the CXCR4 membrane organization in living cells at varying densities on the cell surface based on the fluorescence intensity fluctuations [6].
Research Sponsor
Dr. Adam W. Smith
First Reader
Dr. Robert J. Duff
Second Reader
Dr. Brian P. Bagatto
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Brian P. Bagatto
Recommended Citation
Iyer, Loga, "The effect of CXCL12 ligand on internalization and dimerization of CXCR4 receptors in live cells" (2021). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1455.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1455
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