Mass Spectrometric Studies of Post-Translational Modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease (Copy)
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Frank Souza Silva
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Chemistry
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Subhasish Chatterjee, Matthew Mongelli
Abstract:
Post translational modifications (PTMs) are an important part of the progression in neurodegenerative disorders and have been researched and studied for years. Mass spectrometry is considered to be a useful tool in analyzing the post translational modifications of proteins in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Mass spectrometry can be used to analyze samples from cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and brain tissue to identify PTMs in tau proteins or it may lead to a better understanding of the mechanism in amyloid beta aggregation. In tau proteins increased phosphorylation is what is said to lead to Alzheimer’s disease therefore, it is important to what causes this increase in phosphorylation. Examples of different mass spectrometry techniques used in research include matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Using these techniques will allow for better characterization of PTMs. This may also help in identifying biomarkers to be able to diagnose patients in the early stages of the neurodegenerative disorder.