Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Devin Iimoto

Second Advisor

Kathleen Landis

Abstract

In this project Diphtheria toxin (DT) was purified and digested into subunits: fragment A (DTA) and fragment B (DTB). DTB was isolated from the solution to investigate its conformational changes upon interaction with phospholipid bilayers using model membrane liposomes and fluorescence spectroscopy. Resonant energy transfer occurs between the DTB and the dye. The dye fluorescence blue shifts in the presence of the liposomes. Decreased fluorescence is observed when the conjugate interacts with the vesicles, and the transfer efficiency increases. Conformational changes are triggered by contact of DTB with the membrane in an acidic environment.

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Chemistry Commons

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