Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Milton, Sarah L.

Abstract

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a devastating pandemic characterized by benign cutaneous neoplasias that is afflicting marine turtles worldwide. This study evaluated the expression of HSP72, GRP96, and Bcl-2 in tumor and healthy biopsies. These proteins are found in high levels in some tumors and prevent apoptosis, allowing tumor cells to survive. HSP72 and GRP96 are also known to initiate an immune response and may contribute to the regression often observed in FP tumors. Results were found that showed all three protective proteins had significantly higher levels in actively growing tumor tissue compared to healthy tissue. Specifically, cauliflower-like tumors, thought to be actively growing, were found to have higher levels of HSP72 and GRP96 compared to healthy skin, whereas smooth tumors, thought to be regressing, did not. These results offer insight into the molecular mechanisms behind the development of FP tumors and open a number of avenues for future research.

Extent

78 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00000740

Format

pdf

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