A5058228276- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant and animal studies
- Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
- Lysosomal Storage Disorders Research
- Biochemical and Molecular Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Metabolism, Diabetes, and Cancer
- Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds
- Phenothiazines and Benzothiazines Synthesis and Activities
- Weed Control and Herbicide Applications
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Science Education and Pedagogy
- Calcium signaling and nucleotide metabolism
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Coffee research and impacts
- GABA and Rice Research
- Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Microbial Metabolism and Applications
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Educational Assessment and Pedagogy
High Point University
2018-2022
Clemson University
2007-2017
Washington University in St. Louis
2012-2017
Thiazolidinedione (TZD) insulin sensitizers have the potential to effectively treat a number of human diseases, however currently available agents dose-limiting side effects that are mediated via activation transcription factor PPARγ. We recently shown PPARγ-independent actions TZD sensitizers, but molecular target these molecules remained be identified. Here we use photo-catalyzable drug analog probe and mass spectrometry-based proteomics identify previously uncharacterized mitochondrial...
Carrier-facilitated pyruvate transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane plays an essential role in anabolic and catabolic intermediary metabolism. Mitochondrial carrier 2 (Mpc2) is believed to be a component of complex that facilitates import. Complete MPC2 deficiency resulted embryonic lethality mice. However, second mouse line expressing N-terminal truncated protein (Mpc2(Δ16)) was viable but exhibited reduced capacity for oxidation. Metabolic studies demonstrated exaggerated blood...
We investigated the effects of repeated prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, and combinations fire thinning on pollinators flower visitors within herbaceous understory midstory a temperate forest in North Carolina. Using colored pan traps, we sampled during plant growing season between 2014 2016. captured 5,520 that were dominated by halictid bees vespid wasps. Twenty genera representing at least 30 species our experimental plots. Within understory, found higher abundances diversities other...
The continued emergence and global spread of bacterial antibiotic resistance has fuelled the search for novel antimicrobial agents resistance-modifying compounds. Manuka honey both properties ability to increase efficacy FDA-approved drugs. Compared other types honey, manuka contains elevated levels methylglyoxal (MGO), a small molecule that contributes its antibacterial activity. shown particular promise treatment antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive organisms such as methicillin-resistant...
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, possesses two fatty acid synthesis pathways: a major de novo pathway in ER and mitochondrial pathway. The 2-carbon donor for both pathways is malonyl-CoA, which synthesized from acetyl-CoA by Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Here, we show that T. brucei ACC shares same enzyme architecture moderate ∼ 30% identity with yeast ACCs. cytoplasmic appears to be distributed throughout cell numerous puncta distinct glycosomes...
The current pharmacopeia to treat the lethal human and animal diseases caused by protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei remains limited. parasite's ability undergo antigenic variation represents a considerable barrier vaccine development, making identification of new drug targets extremely important. Recent studies have demonstrated that fatty acid synthesis is important for growth virulence brucei, suggesting this pathway may therapeutic potential. first committed step catalyzed acetyl-CoA...
What is the central question of this study? The antidiabetic effects thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs may be mediated in part by a molecular interaction with constituent proteins mitochondrial pyruvate carrier complex (MPC1 and MPC2). We examined ability mutant mouse strain expressing an N-terminal truncation MPC2 (Mpc2Δ16 mice) to respond TZD treatment. main finding its importance? response Mpc2Δ16 mice treatment was not significantly different from that wild-type C57BL6/J control animals,...
Response-validated multiple-choice assessments are used in college courses to assess student learning gains. The ability of a test accurately reflect gains is highly dependent on the students' effort. Within our institution, lackluster effort common response-validated concept that not included as portion semester grade but inform curricular changes. Thus, we set out determine whether increasing testing stakes by assigning performance had an effect score and self-reported Test Scientific...
Recent studies demonstrate that significant learning gains can be achieved when instructors take intentional steps to address the affective components of learning. While such efforts enhance outcomes all students, they are particularly beneficial for students from underrepresented groups and reduce performance gaps. In present study, we examined whether domain (through growth mindset messaging) synergize with best practices addressing cognitive (via active-learning strategies) academic in...
The rapid increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a global healthcare crisis. Non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals that have attained approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration potential be repurposed as resistance-modifying agents therefore could become valuable resources our battle against antibiotic-resistant microbes. Amoxapine tetracyclic antidepressant used treatment of major depressive disorder. Here we demonstrate ability amoxapine resensitize...
Abstract Ants (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) are important components of forest ecosystems and can be affected by fuel reduction management practices. We assessed the impact repeated applications treatments on abundance diversity ants within upland mixed‐hardwood forests in Southern Appalachian Mountains North Carolina, USA. established three replicate blocks (~56 ha each) split each block into four treatments, which included prescribed burning (B), mechanical felling (M), a combination (MB),...
Agro-ecosystems are dominated by crop plants and the weedy species that thrive under agricultural conditions. Weedy relatives some of most difficult weeds to manage can dramatically reduce yields when left unchecked. rice has resulted from multiple de-domestication events in different growing regions. Interestingly, both South Korea United States harbor populations share ancestry with indica cultivars temperate japonica cultivars. Here we compare on order identify if they result same events....
A multitude of hymenopteran species exhibit sexual dimorphism for simple traits, such as color, size, or antennal segment number. These differences can reflect selection specialized biological roles, many which have not been documented the majority bee and wasp species. The excess power index (EPI) is an estimate insect flight performance that inferred by combination several morphological characteristics. We compared female male EPIs in four native bees: Agapostemon virescens Fabricius,...
Trypanosoma brucei is a parasite that causes lethal disease African Sleeping Sickness in humans. T. has two options to supply itself with fatty acids: synthesis via an ER‐localized elongase pathway, or uptake from the host. We used fluorescence‐ and radioactive‐based assays characterize acid brucei. Uptake of fluorescent BODIPY‐C12 was concentration‐ time‐dependent appeared be saturable. BODIPY‐C5 inefficient compared ‐C16, suggesting chain‐length specificity. Surface proteolysis trypsin...
Trypanosoma brucei is a parasite that causes African Sleeping Sickness in humans. T. synthesizes its own fatty acids (FAs), but also takes up FAs from environment. Little known about FA uptake . We used BODIPY‐conjugated fluorescent and flow cytometry to monitor Uptake was linear with respect time concentration, saturated only at high concentrations long points (80 μM, 40 min), suggesting capacity. BODIPY‐FA exhibited chain‐length specificity: C12 C16 were taken up, while C2 C5 not. Surface...
Trypanosoma brucei , a lethal unicellular parasite transmitted by the tsetse fly, infects bloodstream and cerebrospinal fluid of humans, causing African sleeping sickness. In blood, T. evades adaptive immune system varying its major surface coat antigen, Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG). VSG is anchored to plasma membrane glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchor whose fatty acid moiety exclusively myristate, saturated 14‐carbon acid. GPI‐myristoylation creates high demand for myristate...
Trypanosoma brucei has two options to supply itself with fatty acids: it can synthesize acids via an ER-localized elongase pathway, or conserve the energy used for synthesis and instead, take up from host. The bloodstream form is known host in lipoprotein particles other acid conjugates. Less about mechanisms governing uptake of free acids. We have developed a fluorescence-based assay utilizing C12 conjugated at acyl end green fluorophore, BODIPY. T. cells were incubated BODIPY-C12 was...