Name | Mr. Dominic Rucco |
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Organization | University of Florida |
Type | Poster |
Topic | PMSE/POLY |
Title | Investigation of non-toxic diphtheria toxin mutant for bioconjugation studies with self-assembling vesicle polymers. |
Author(s) | Dominic J. Rucco, Amanda M. Pritzlaff, Daniel A. Savin |
Author Location(s) | George and Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory |
Abstract | In this work we seek to exploit the targeting and cell entry mechanisms of a non-toxic DT mutant by polymer conjugation to self-assembled vesicles in an effort to improve local drug delivery in cancer therapy. Diphtheria toxin (DT) provides an example whereby complex and specific actions are achieved through well-orchestrated mechanisms taking advantage of distinguished protein domains. In short, recognition of cell bound heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), receptor mediated endocytosis, endosomal pore formation through lipid soluble loops and helix insertion, ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2), and subsequent cell death all result from the receptor, translocation, and catalytic domains. Currently, we are developing a protocol based on literature procedures to maximize efficiency of production, bioconjucation and ultimate study of DT-polymer systems, and here we present the overexpression of a DT mutant from E. Coli for eventual polymer bioconjugation. |