Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

First Advisor

Megan Keniry

Second Advisor

Robert Gilkerson

Third Advisor

Sue Anne Chew

Abstract

Forkhead box O (Foxo) transcription factors are key regulators of stem cell identity and tumor aggressiveness. Prior work from our group and others demonstrates that Foxo factors maintain stem-like states across diverse biological systems; however, the mechanisms by which Foxo1 suppresses differentiation remain poorly defined.

Using C2C12 myoblasts as a model, we investigated whether Foxo1 preserves stem-like programs through regulation of the nuclear pore protein Nup210. RNA interference was used to generate Foxo1 knockdown cells, followed by qRT-PCR, RNA-sequencing, and fluorescence microscopy. Transcriptomic analysis revealed widespread gene expression changes involving metabolic, mitochondrial, and transcriptional pathways. Notably, Nup210 expression was significantly altered following Foxo1 knockdown, accompanied by distinct changes in nuclear morphology.

These findings support a model in which Foxo1 coordinates transcriptional programs and nuclear architecture to maintain stem-like states, potentially through Nup210, providing insight into conserved mechanisms of stem cell regulation and cancer progression.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Stella Aimé Rios. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3371134100

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