Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Sciences

Committee Chair

Ahmed Lawan

Committee Member

Lawana Adcock

Committee Member

Jerome Baudry

Subject(s)

Phosphatases, Blood platelets--Activation--Research, Obesity, Nutritionally induced diseases

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate metabolic homeostasis and MAPK dysfunction promotes metabolic diseases. MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) regulate MAPKs and are implicated in obesity and platelet activation. To elucidate the role of MKP-2 in platelet function and NAFLD, tail bleed, platelet isolation, and western blot assays were performed. MKP-2 KO mice and control mice were fed either a chow or 12- 13 week high fat diet (HFD), a 10 week iron deficient (ID), or an iron supplement (IS) regimen. On the chow diet, the bleeding time was significantly reduced in female MKP-2 KO mice. Male MKP-2 KO IS mice showed significantly increased bleed time. HFD caused male MKP-2 KO mice to weigh significantly less and have significantly lower hemoglobin levels. Male MKP-2 KO platelets also showed increased activation of p38 MAPK and ERK and expression of SDF-1. Overall, these results demonstrate a relationship between the MKP-2 and platelet activity.

Available for download on Wednesday, December 11, 2024

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