John T. Prince and Dr. Merritt B. Andrus, Chemistry and Biochemistry The failure of chemotherapy in treating cancer is largely due to a phenomenon known as Multidrug Resistance (MDR). In MDR, cancer cells that have been exposed to a particular chemotherapeutic drug build up resistance not only to the drug originally administered, but to a […]
INVESTIGATION OF THE PYRULARIA THIONIN-EGF MITOTOXIN ON CELL SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION
Andrew B. Adams and Dr. Steven G. Wood, Chemistry and Biochemistry Recently more emphasis has been placed on developing anti-cancer agents with greater specificity and fewer side effects. Immunotoxins and their relatives, mitotoxins, have arisen as possible answers. Mitotoxins are composed of mitogens coupled to plant or bacterial toxins. The mitotoxin under investigation is the […]
Distribution and Regulation of Na,K-Atpase in Ocular Lens
Adam L. Lunceford and Dr. Steven W. Graves, Chemistry and Biochemistry The Na,K-ATPase is a membrane-bound enzyme found in all cells. This enzyme is composed of an a subunit, which is responsible for the enzyme’s catalytic activity, and a b subunit, which assists in the binding of ions. The three main isoforms of the a […]
Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2: Development of Canine InVitro and Whole Blood Assays for Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Nicole L. Hatch and Dr. Daniel L. Simmons, Chemistry and Biochemistry Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are the basis for a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical market. Their target, Cyclooxygenase (COX), might from an economic standpoint be considered the most important enzyme known to man.1 COX is the key enzyme in the transformation of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, […]
Can Achiral Hosts Perform Chiral Induction?
Eric S. Handberg and Dr. David V. Dearden, Chemistry and Biochemistry Introduction Host exchange experiments (see Figure 1) compare the fit of left-handed molecules (L-) and right-handed molecules (D-) in a host. Molecules that possess this “handedness” property are said to be chiral. In chiral crown ether host exchange experiments, chiral crown ethers distinguish the […]
Cytotoxic Activity of Euphorbia Polycarpa
Larry C. Ford and Drs. Noel L. Owen, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Steven G. Wood, Chemistry and Biochemistry With antimicrobial resistance on the rise, research is turning more and more to natural sources for medicinal products (the original source, ironically, for most known antimicrobials). Under the aegis of the Natural Product Center here on campus, […]
Induction of a Novel Form of Cyclooxygenase by Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Nathan K. Evanson and Dr. Daniel L. Simmons, Chemistry and Biochemistry For many years, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. The analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs have been attributed to the ability of these drugs to inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes1. COX enzymes […]
Rapid Capillary Electrophoresis Assay for the Isoenzyme, TK1, as an Indicator for Breast Cancer
Mari Evans and Dr. Milton L. Lee, Chemistry and Biochemistry The isoenzyme thymidine kinase (TK1), found in human serum, has been shown to be a cancer tumor marker. It has demonstrated both diagnostic and prognostic value in the treatment of breast cancer.1 Currently TK1 levels are measured by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Radioimmunoassay […]
Calorimitry Data Tracking the Encapsulation of Small Organic Water Contaminants by Cavitand [Co412]-8
Julie K. Cope and Dr. Roger G. Harrison, Chemistry Cavitand [Co412]-8 is a cage-like molecule having an inner cavity with a volume of approximately 1375 Å that traps small organic molecules. The “1” in the chemical formula represents resorc[4]arene, a bowl-shaped molecule1. Two resorc[4]arenes are connected with four cobalt molecules to form the cavitand [Co412]-8. […]
Phosphate and Ferritin Iron Deposition Kinetics
David D. Brosnahan and Dr. Gerald D. Watt, Chemistry and Biochemistry I performed a ferritin iron reconstitution experiment, making 10 sequential additions of 10 ferrous ions per ferritin molecule at 10- minute intervals (see Figure 1). Monitoring the reaction at 375 nm, I observed a fast initial absorbance change representing iron oxidation. After the initial […]