Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Caputi, Massimo

Abstract

The Bel family of genes are fundamental to the apoptotic mechanism. Bcl-x a member of this family, is alternatively spliced to create two main isoforms a long (Bcl-xL) and a short (Bcl-xS) variant. The long form exhibits anti-apoptotic activity, while the short form favors apoptosis. The proper balance of expression of these two isoforms is crucial for several developmental processes such as thymic selection and neural reshaping. A number of cancer types have been shown to over-express the long form, thereby granting them some protection from apoptosis. To study the transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating gene expression, the Bcl-x gene has been utilized. A complex mini-gene construct has been create in order to monitor the effects that promoter sequences, 5'UTR and 3'UTR's have on mRNA splicing, RNA export, stability and translation. Abundant evidence exists indicating that RNA processing events such as transcription, splicing and export are coupled, yet the mechanisms and factors involved in regulating these processes are poorly understood. The mini-gene is identical to the endogenous gene with the exception of a deletion to the 50Kb intron and the addition of a tag to differentiate the mini-gene product from the endogenous mRNA and protein. This novel system allows for the study of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating gene expression from RNA biogenesis on to the protein level.

Extent

69 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00000741

Format

pdf

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