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Examination of the signalling properties and ligand-binding potential of stimulatory leukocyte immune-type receptors (IpLITRs) in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
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- Author / Creator
- Mewes-Ares, Jacqueline
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Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque, 1818) leukocyte immune-type
receptors (IpLITRs) are a family of proteins sharing structural and phylogenetic
relationships with mammalian immune receptors. Based on their predicted
signalling potential and ligand-binding properties, IpLITRs may be important in
the control of immune cell effector responses in fish. The main objectives of this
thesis were to determine how stimulatory IpLITRs activate cells and to develop
assays for the screening of IpLITR ligands. Using cellular transfections, coimmunoprecipitation,
and flow cytometry, I determined that stimulatory IpLITRs
associate with specific adaptor molecules, which is required for their surface
expression and signalling ability. These adaptors assemble with IpLITRs via their
charged transmembrane regions and contain cytoplasmic tails encoding tyrosines
that may initiate kinase pathways leading to immune cell activation. This study
represents the first step towards elucidating how IpLITRs ‘turn on’ immune cells.
Combined with the development of assays to identify IpLITR ligands, my work
sets the stage for further investigations into the functional characterization of
these receptors. -
- Graduation date
- Fall 2010
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.