Document Type

Honors Project

Publication Date

Spring 5-29-2013

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are characterized by an age-related decrease in the synaptic activity of the patient’s brain. Previous research suggested that a RFX transcription factor DAF-19 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) may be involved in the maintenance of synaptic protein levels. Particularly, worms that were DAF-19A/B defective showed reduced synaptic activities when compared to their age-matched controls.

This study investigated the role of DAF-19A/B isoforms in the C. elegans nervous system. Three genes, F46G11.3, F57B10.9, and F58E2.3 were selected as potential downstream targets of DAF-19A/B based on their potential neuronal expression. Among the three, F46G11.3 and F57B10.9 were expressed in the neurons. The gene expression pattern of F57B10.9 in a wild-type animal and a DAF-19 defective animal was shown to be different, suggesting the gene may be a target of DAF-19A/B.

Level of Honors

cum laude

Department

Biology

Advisor

Elizabeth De Stasio

Comments

Advisor: Elizabeth De Stasio

Level of Honors: cum laude

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