Abstract

Arginine kinase (AK), an ortholog of creatine kinase (CK), helps maintain energy homeostasis in response to sudden, high-energy demands in protozoans and invertebrates. CK as a group has been well studied physiologically; previous experiments in CK-deficient mice found decreased stress tolerance, decreased muscle function, and increased amounts of mitochondrial volume. In contrast, less is known about AK and its role in cellular physiology. To explore the physiological role of AK in an invertebrate model system, two C. elegans knockouts were used, W10 and F44. By comparing two distantly related organisms, with similar phosphagen kinase (PK) systems, it is our goal to identify conserved physiological functions of the PK family of enzymes. Through comparison to a wild type strain, the impact each missing AK isoform had on physiological characteristics, such as aging, energy availability, and survivability during environmental stress was examined. Physiological analysis reveals that AK-deficient animals maintained similar lifespan to the control; however, results suggest that AK plays an important role in stress tolerance.

Advisor

Fraga, Dean

Department

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Disciplines

Biochemistry | Molecular Biology

Keywords

phosphogen kinase, PK, arginine kinase, AK, creatine kinase, CK, C.elegans, stress

Publication Date

2015

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2015 Dempsey J. Simonis