Abstract

The intent of this thesis is to determine whether the deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin specific protease 30 (USP30) is cleaved by Omi/HtrA2 (hereafter referred to as Omi) protease during mitochondrial stress. USP30 is a mitochondrial protein that is anchored in the outer mitochondrial membrane and has components in the intermembrane space (IMS) as well as in the cytoplasm. USP30's IMS component has a six-amino-acid sequence that is very similar to Omi's consensus cleavage sites. Under normal conditions, Omi resides exclusively within the IMS; therefore, if Omi were to cleave USP30, it would target the part of the protein located in the IMS component. Omi is known to play a crucial role in a variety of diseases including cancers, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders. Since Omi is a serine protease, it is assumed to carry its normal function through the direct cleavage and degradation of specific substrates. If USP30 deubiquitinase is a bona fide substrate of Omi, this will provide new and important information on the mechanism by which Omi regulates the polyubiquitination process during mitochondrial stress.

Thesis Completion

2019

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Zervos, Antonis

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

Degree Program

Biomedical Sciences

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Release Date

5-1-2020

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