preview

Role Of The Egf Receptor On Lipid

Better Essays

The Role of the EGF Receptor LET-23 on Lipid Biosynthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
N. R. Contos

Thesis Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans LET-23, which is an Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptor, controls multiple developmental pathways. In humans, EGF receptor mutations are implicated in a large number of cancers due to excess signaling promoting cell growth and cell division. Recent work has shown that in C. elegans LET-23 may also affect lipid production, specifically that of the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine. To investigate the role of the LET-23 receptor on lipid production, I have examined the cellular location of a fluorescent-tagged SBP-1 marker under different conditions within the worm and from these inferred levels of lipid production. I will discuss my results and their impact on our understanding of EGF signaling and lipid biosynthesis.

Thesis Intro: As a whole the world is becoming more aware of how fats affect the body. Not only are lipids a key element in cell membranes, they also lead to many issues regarding health. Obesity is an ever-increasing risk factor for many diseases including type II diabetes, cardiac disease, and some forms of cancer (Kopelman 2000). As obesity transitions from little known problem into a full-blown global epidemic, it is important to understand how lipids are synthesized and regulated within the body. Lipid synthesis pathways involve a complex interaction between the endocrine system, tissues, nutrient storage and

Get Access