Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects
Date of Award
Spring 3-20-2022
Document Type
Honors Paper
Degree Name
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-BS
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Advisor
Dr. John Tansey
First Committee Member
Dr. Jeffrey Lehman
Second Committee Member
Dr. Halard Lescinsky
Keywords
Perilipin 5, Metabolism, Lipid Storage Droplet, Nuclear Transport
Subject Categories
Biochemistry | Higher Education
Abstract
Obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are all conditions related to aberrant lipid storage in humans. Nearly all cells have the capacity to store neutral lipids in lipid storage droplets, organelles that regulate the storage of their hydrophobic contents. All lipid storage droplets are coated with at least one member of the perilipin family of proteins. Perilipin 5 is expressed in oxidative tissues including oxidative muscleand fasted liver and has been shown to play important roles in neutral lipid metabolism in these tissues. Perilipin 5’s involvement in gene expression was discovered during catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis, where the protein is phosphorylated by PKA and forms transcriptional complexes with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator alpha (PGC-1α) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in the nucleus. Perilipin 5 cannot diffuse through the nuclear membrane because proteins larger than 45 kD must be transported through the nuclear porevia a nuclear pore translocation mechanism. The mechanism through which perilipin 5 enters the nucleus is unknown. There are several known mechanisms for large molecules to gain entry to the nucleus through the nuclear pore. We have used multiple compounds to attempt to block entry of perilipin 5. Preliminary results indicate that the steroid Mifepristone and the anthelmintic Ivermectin block entry, implicating the importin α/ β1 nuclear transport pathway in this process. These data indicate that the function of perilipin 5 can be partially blocked pharmacologically using commercially available drugs. This presents an interesting potential for further examination and treatment of metabolic diseases.
Licensing Permission
Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use
Recommended Citation
Lewis, Hope, "Inhibition of Nuclear Transport of Perilipin 5" (2022). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects. 139.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_honor/139