Date of Award
Spring 2024
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Genetics
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Vicki Jeffers
Second Advisor
Vicki Jeffers
Third Advisor
David Plachetzki
Abstract
Transcription is well-conserved across eukaryotes, lending itself to countless studies in model organisms. Still, some early-diverging eukaryotes, such as Apicomplexans, continue to deviate from canonical gene expression. One such Apicomplexan is the single-celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma maintains many elements of conventional eukaryotic transcription but demonstrates a relatively short 8-hour replication time. This suggests that transcription is tightly regulated in these parasites, consistent with their ability to differentiate between life stages per the demand of the host environment. Transcription initiation has, however, remained elusive in Toxoplasma. The formation of a preinitiation complex (PIC) has not been characterized as the parasites lack a conserved suite of transcription factors. TATA box-binding proteins (TBPs), as initiators of transcription in other eukaryotes, are an obvious place to start to understand recruitment of the PIC to promoters of transcribed genes. Promoters in Toxoplasma, however, are not well-defined. Additionally, the Toxoplasma genome appears to be void of TATA boxes. This research explored DNA and protein interactions of Toxoplasma TBP1 and aimed to identify TATA-like DNA motifs, identify associated transcription factors, and define the set of genes that are subject to its regulation.
Recommended Citation
Kelly, Robert, "TBP1: An essential regulator of transcription in Toxoplasma gondii" (2024). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1831.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1831