Bio Breeding (BB) rats are a well known model for juvenile diabetes. Diabetic prone (DP) and resistant (DR) lines were created by in-breeding. DP rats spontaneously develop diabetes via pancreatic beta cell death, but the exact mechanism remains unknown. This project investigated cellular levels of several proteins thought to play a role in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which could lead to beta cell death. Levels were compared in pancreatic islets from DP and DR thapsigargin-stressed and non-stressed rats by western blot and real-time PCR assays. The results indicated that DP rats manifested higher levels of ER stress proteins.

• 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

• Lapen, Peter T.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042506-194241

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2006

Sponsor

• Dr. Aldo Rossini, M.D. and Dr. Rita Bortell, PhD.
• University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

Date created

• 2006-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright