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Date of Award
4-23-1999
Document Type
Restricted Thesis: Campus only access
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Valerie Kish
Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a single celled alga with two microtubule-based flagella. In vivo, these flagella are retracted into the cell prior to mitosis and are then regenerated in the new cells. Experimentally, the flagella can be amputated by lowering the pH of the cell culture, thus making it possible to study flagellar regeneration in the laboratory. Melatonin is a hormone which is known to affect tubulin polymerization in the microtubules of certain cell types. Based on past findings, we hypothesize that in Chlamydomonas, high concentrations of melatonin will inhibit flagellar regeneration while low concentrations of melatonin will enhance this process. We have found instead that high melatonin levels enhance flagellar regeneration while low levels impede it. Since melatonin is known to bind to the calcium-calmodulin complex, we are investigating the relationship between calcium and melatonin in calmodulin binding as a means of explaining melatonin's observed effects on flagellar regeneration.
Recommended Citation
Kazor, Kelley Marie, "The role of melatonin in flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii" (1999). Honors Theses. 436.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/436