Date of Award
2009
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.Sc.
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Keywords
Biochemistry.
Supervisor
Ananvoranich, Sirinart (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Ribonuclease activity within the RNAi mechanism has been thoroughly described in model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans. However, RNAi is still largely a mystery in Apicomplexan parasites. Our group previously has reported that specific gene silencing via the introduction of dsRNA in Toxoplasma gondii can be achieved. Furthermore, a key protein (Argonaute) has been characterized. In this study, through the use of bioinformatic tools, several putative proteins that may act upon the RNAi mechanism have been identified. Furthermore in vitro dsRNA-directed ribonuclease activity and dsRNA-specific ribonuclease activity in Toxoplasma gondii lysates were assessed. Lastly, using a His construct, the Argonaute protein in T. gondii was successfully isolated from inclusion bodies and characterized in terms of its interaction with RNA species. This study demonstrates the presence of an RNAi-like mechanism in T. gondii and can lead to determination of future drug targets.
Recommended Citation
Pricop, Ionut, "Unraveling the RNAi-like Activity in Toxoplasma Gondii" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 308.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/308