•  
  •  
 

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

protein response, osteoarthritis, OA, Unfolded Protein Response, UPR

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that affects 26 million of Americans, yet its cause it not understood.1 It is a degenerative disease that affects cartilage at joints, and there are several risk factors that give people a higher probability of developing OA; these risk factors include acute joint injury, obesity, and family history of OA. Scientists are still trying to discover the genetic cause of OA, but no one has been successful at finding the link. In our research, we attempted to use 2 mouse models with genetic mutations to study the proteins involved in OA. Dmm (Disproportionate Micromelia) and Sedc (Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita) mice have mutations in the Collagen II gene that predisposes them to develop OA.2 We focused first on Dmm mice, because their symptoms are more severe, including dwarfism and abnormal cartilage, so they are easier to study. Sedc mice provide more promise for a link to human OA, because their symptoms are more similar. Both mice have a mutation that prevents the Collagen II from folding properly to create the triple-helical structure, so it affects the integrity of the cartilage.

Download

Included in

Microbiology Commons

Share

COinS