Item – Theses Canada

​
OCLC number
30356057
Author
Gordon, David Ronald Brian,1965-
Title
Presence of and a possible neuronal role for protein kinase C in the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta.
Degree
M. Sc. -- York University, 1992
Publisher
Ottawa : National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1993.
Description
2 microfiches.
Notes
University Microfilms order no. UMI00385163.
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
The present work examined the enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) in the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta using two approaches. The first approach was to demonstrate biochemically the presence of PKC in crude tissue extracts or in chromatographic fractions. Chromatographic procedures did not yield a purified enzyme, due to rapid lability and very low amounts of the enzyme, although indications of PKC activity following hydrophobic interaction HPLC were noted. Homogenates of tissue slices or of whole worms were examined without further purification using the Amersham protein kinase C assay system. This approach demonstrated the presence of protein kinase C-like activity on a PKC-specific peptide in crude dilute extracts: increased dilution resulted in greater specific activity. The second approach attempted to establish a neuronal role for PKC in H. diminuta by examining the effect of treatment with the phorbol ester PMA, PKC inhibitors, acetylcholine, and acetylcholine receptor antagonists on release of the putative neurotransmitter glutamate from tissue slices. Glutamate release evoked using high-potassium saline or in saline containing the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine was examined. Results suggest that PKC activated in situ within cholinergic neurons may modulate inhibitory cholinergic inputs upon glutamatergic neurons in H. diminuta. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
ISBN
031577522X
9780315775220