Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Date of Award
January 2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Nutrition and Food Science
First Advisor
Ahmad R. Heydari
Abstract
ABSTRACT
EFFECT OF FOLATE DEFICIENCY ON EXPRESSION OF PROTEINS ON THE mTOR SIGNALING PATHWAY IN THE BRAIN OF C57/BL6 MICE
by
NIKITA PATEL
December 2014
Advisor: Dr. Ahmad Heydari
Major: Nutrition and Food Science
Degree: Master of Science
Nutrient-gene interactions can significantly impact several cellular processes in the human body by altering important molecular pathways. Nutrition can affect brain structure, function and development throughout the life cycle; it can have a profound effect on cognition ad mental health leading to neurodegenerative diseases. It is important to elucidate the mechanisms by which diet can effect signaling pathways in the brain. The alteration of the mTOR pathway has been implicated to be involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the established role of folate playing a role in modulating the mTOR pathway, we decided to investigate how folate deficiency alters mTOR signaling in the brain. We hypothesized that dietary folate restriction alters the mTOR signaling network in the brain to provide protection against the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In response to the FD diet we observed higher autophagy occurrence however increased expression of p-S6K and p-AKT contrary to decreased REDD-I and increased IPMK expression suggested mTOR activation. Higher autophagy occurrence was indicated by increased expression of Beclin and LC3. Interestingly enough, even though IPMK levels suggested mTOR inhibition, another upstream effector p-AMPK suggested mTOR activation.
Recommended Citation
Patel, Nikita, "Effect Of Folate Deficiency On Expression Of Proteins On The Mtor Signaling Pathway In The Brain Of C57/bl6 Mice" (2014). Wayne State University Theses. 388.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/388