Studies have shown the cancer-cell killing abilities of proteins expressed by the third open reading frame of members of the Circoviridae virus family. PCV1 was discovered to possess a VP3 homologous to those of other circoviruses, suggesting that it too may have apoptotic activity. Previous studies have shown that cellular localization may be responsible for the killing action of the other VP3 proteins. In order to better study the activity of PCV1 VP3, truncation mutants have been developed. Furthermore, the apoptotic abilities of wild type vector constructs were assessed for the first time. The assay illustrates that apoptosis occurs by a capases-3-7 pathway; leading us to question the impact of localization, and structural differences of PCV1 may be responsible for functionality.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kokolis, Jameson Philip
• Spada, Lauren Carol

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042910-113556

Advisor

• Heilman, Destin

Year

• 2010

Date created

• 2010-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright