Kebaara, BessieWong, AngeloBaylor University2021-05-182021-05-1820212021-05-18https://hdl.handle.net/2104/11259The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway (NMD) is a conserved physiological process in all tested eukaryotic organisms for recognizing and degrading mRNAs containing premature termination codons. NMD also regulates natural mRNAs encoding proteins that regulate copper concentrations inside the cell. As an essential micronutrient, copper has a role in many biological mechanisms as a cofactor but is also toxic at high concentrations inside the cell. NMD has shown to regulate mRNAs involved in copper homeostasis including PCA1. These mRNAs are sensitive to different environmental conditions such as high levels of copper. The degree of regulation continues to be investigated, but it is known that NMD is integral to the biological mechanisms as non-functional NMD S. cerevisiae cells portray increased rates of growth in the presence of high copper. Different yeast strains have also been shown to differentially confer copper resistance and mRNA expression in metal homeostatic proteins. To explore the degree of NMD regulation, I examined the growth rates and rate of mRNA expression when S. cerevisiae is grown in varying copper conditions with and without a functional NMD pathway. Through examination of PCA1 gene expression, we can assess NMD’s rate of regulation and S. cerevisiae’s tolerance to copper.en-USBaylor University projects are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.ThesisWorldwide access