Microtubule binding protein Tau is a component of brain lesions in Alzheimer’s patients. Its role in neurodegeneration makes Tau a focus for researchers to understand what drives protein aggregation and disruption of neurological functioning. To fulfill the need for Tau, recombinant forms of protein are expressed in E. coli. Using a bacterial host to produce Tau subjects the gene to cell translational machinery and risks expression of suboptimal protein forms, like truncated variants. This research investigates sequence features of recombinant Tau that strengthen a Shine Dalgarno sequence to initiate translation at a cryptic start site within the coding region. Results suggest initiation of translation at the cryptic start site is dependent on upstream sequence of Shine Dalgarno region.

• 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

• Comeau, Jillian E.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042720-154603

Advisor

• Roberts, Louis Anthony

Year

• 2020

Sponsor

• AbbVie Bioresearch Center

Date created

• 2020-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright