Amber Brown

Abstract

Spatial and temporal regulation of developmental gene transcription often involves regulatory sequences found in noncoding DNA separate from the gene’s promoter. Conservation of a noncoding region (CNR) across divergent species may indicate a regulatory region critical to basic morphogenesis. CNR-green fluorescent protein (GFP) constructs can demonstrate spatial and temporal CNR activity by microscopy visualization. However, characterization of regulatory modules within a CNR requires quantitative, in addition to qualitative, analysis. The study presented here describes the development and implementation of a novel application of flow cytometry in the quantitative characterization of CNRs. The technique couples fluorescent microscopy localization with flow cytometry distribution and expression level analysis, creating a technique more powerful than either on its own. To optimize the flow cytometric analysis technique, we examined the limb-specific Shh regulatory region, LSSRR. LSSRR is a CNR that tightly regulates the specific spatiotemporal expression of Shh, a crucial morphogen for limb patterning. Our data demonstrate that flow cytometric analysis can identify and quantify changes in the distribution and intensity of CNR activity. Thus, this technique can be used to characterize conserved regulatory modules necessary for limb morphogenesis. However, it is likely that other organs and tissues utilize specific CNRs. The technique developed here is widely applicable outside of limb development. This enhances our ability to characterize CNR-related regulatory modules in general, and the technique can be used to advance knowledge of organ patterning during development.

LLU Discipline

Biochemistry

Department

Basic Sciences

School

School of Medicine

First Advisor

Oberg, Kerby C.

Second Advisor

Langridge, William

Third Advisor

Payne, Kimberly J.

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2014

Date (Title Page)

6-2014

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Flow Cytometry; Gene Expression Profiling; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Receptors - Retinoic Acid; Mesoderm; Electroporation; Limb buds; Models - Biological

Subject - Local

Development Gene Transcription; Noncoding DNA; Morphogenesis; CNR-Green flourescent protein; Fluorescent Microscopy Localization;

Type

Thesis

Page Count

115

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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