Download Centennial Honors College Western Illinois University Undergraduate Research Day 2012

Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2012
Poster Presentation
Evaluation of Thiosemicarbazone Containing Compounds as Inhibitors of
Recombinant Cathepsin B
Joseph Lucas
Faculty Mentors: Lisa Wen and Jenq-Kuen Huang
Chemistry
The objective of this study was to test the inhibitory effects of eight different compounds
on recombinant Cathepsin B, an enzyme that plays roles in processes such as protein
degradation, bone resorption, and antigen processing. This protein has been found in
abnormally high levels in the bloodstream of both Alzheimer’s and cancer patients, and
thus furthering our understanding of Cathepsin B can help us understand its role in
these diseases. In order to investigate the veracity of our Cathepsin B inhibitor
candidates, recombinant pro-cathepsin B was obtained by transformation of E. coli
bacteria, which were then made to produce the protein, which was then extracted and
purified. After purification, the pro-cathepsin B was activated by treatment with formic
acid, which cleaved off a portion of the protein, resulting in active Cathepsin B. Finally,
the effectiveness of each inhibitor candidate was determined via colorimetric enzymatic
assay. The results of each inhibitor candidate will be presented as an IC50 (half
maximal inhibitory concentration), a measure of the effectiveness of a drug.