O sistema olfatório de mamíferos é capaz de detectar milhares de substâncias químicas diferentes, mesmo em baixas concentrações. Um odorante disperso no ar pode se ligar a um receptor olfatório (OR) iniciando o processo de detecção. Os ORs são membros da super família de receptores acoplados a proteína G (GPCRs). Apesar de a via de transdução de sinal de odorantes estar bem descrita, pouco se sabe sobre os seus moduladores. Em 2005, nosso laboratório identificou RIC-8B como um possível fator de troca de nucleotídeos de guanina (GEF) que poderia amplificar a atividade da proteína G olfatória (Golf). No presente trabalho mostramos que RIC-8B é capaz de interagir com Gγ13. Procurando os outros componentes desse complexo identificamos Gβ1 como sendo a subunidade Gβ mais expressa no epitélio olfatório. Além disso, RIC-8B, Gαolf, Gβ1 e Gγ13 encontram-se concentrados nos cílios dos neurônios olfatórios e se co-localizam nesse compartimento celular. Nossos experimentos de co-imunoprecipitação mostram que RIC-8B interage mais fortemente com Gαolf, na presença de GDP do que na presença de GTP, como esperado para uma GEF. Curiosamente quando Gβ1 e Gβ13 estão presentes, RIC-8B e Gαolf co-imunoprecipitam igual, independente do nucleotídeo de guanina utilizado. Apesar de, na presença de Gβ1 e Gγ13, não observarmos dissociação física de RIC-8B e Gαolf com a mudança do estado de ativação, o efeito de RIC-8B na produção de AMPc não é afetada. Também mostramos que a quantidade de Gαolf, Gβ1 e Gγ13 presentes na membrana celular aumenta quando estas são co-transfectadas com RIC-8B em células de mamíferos. Nossos resultados apontam para um papel duplo da RIC-8B. Primeiro, RIC-8B poderia funcionar como uma chaperona auxiliando na formação e transporte do complexo heterotrimérico, Golf, em neurônios olfatórios. Em segundo lugar, RIC-8B também atuaria como uma GEF sobre Gαolf, aumentando a produção de AMPc e portanto amplificando a via de transdução de sinal de odorantes. Por fim, acreditamos que um possível papel para Gβ1 e Gγ13 nesse complexo seria funcionar como um andaime molecular, aproximando RIC-8B de seu alvo, Gαolf, potencializando ainda mais a atividade de GEF. / The mammalian olfactory system detects small amounts of thousands of different chemical compounds. Odorant perception starts when an odorant in the air binds to an olfactory receptor (OR). ORs belong to the super family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Even though the odorant signaling pathway is well known, little is known about its modulators. In 2005, our lab identified RIC-8B as a putative guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that is able to interact with the olfactory G-protein (Golf) and amplify its activity. Here we show that RIC-8B also interacts with Gγ13. We also found that Gβ1 is the Gβ subunit that is predominantly expressed in the olfactory epithelium. Furthermore, RIC-8B, Gαolf, Gβ1 and Gγ13 are highly concentrated in the cilia of olfactory neurons and co-localize in this cellular compartment. We also show that RIC-8B interaction with G&#945olf is stronger in the presence of GDP than GTP, as expected for a GEF. Curiously, in the presence of Gβ1 and Gγ13, RIC-8B and Gαolf remain associated, in the presence of both GDP or GTP, probably through an indirect interaction via Gβ1/Gγ13. We also showed that the amounts of Gαolf, Gβ1 and Gγ13 in the cell membrane increase if RIC-8B is cotransfected in the same cell. Our results suggest that RIC-8B plays two roles. First, it may act as a chaperone which assists in the assembly and trafficking of the G protein complex. Second, RIC-8B would also act as a GEF to increase Gαolf dependent cAMP production and thereby amplify odorant signal transduction. Lastly, we believe that Gβ1 and Gγ13 may act as a scaffold to position RIC-8B close to its target, Gαolf, further enhancing the GEF activity.

Orientador: Raquel Mantuaneli Scarel Caminaga / Banca: Silvana Regina Perez Orrico / Banca: José Eduardo Tanus dos Santos / Resumo: Objetivo: O presente estudo foi realizado para investigar a associação entre polimorfismos +785(C/T), +1208(T/C) e +1440(G/A) no gene do receptor 2 da interleucina 8 (CXCR2), bem como de seus haplótipos, e a suscetibilidade à Periodontite em indivíduos brasileiros. Material e Método: Foram selecionados 500 indivíduos de ambos os gêneros (Grupo Controle: n = 224, idade média 35,3 anos; Grupo Periodontite [GP] n = 276, idade média 43,4 anos) que procuraram atendimento na Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara. A partir de células da mucosa bucal, o DNA foi extraído por uma solução de solventes orgânicos (fenol:clorofórmio:álcool isoamílico; - 25:24:1). Os polimorfismos +785 e +1208 foram investigados pela técnica SSP-PCR (Sequence Specific Primer - PCR) enquanto que o polimorfismo +1440 foi analisado por PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Os fragmentos obtidos por PCR-RFLP e os produtos obtidos por SSP-PCR foram submetidos à eletroforese vertical em gel de poliacrilamida a 10% (locus +785 e +1208) e 14% (locus +1440), sendo depois corados com nitrato de prata. Resultados: Considerando a frequência de alelos e genótipos de cada polimorfismo isoladamente, não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos. Quando analisados em haplótipos, a freqüência do haplótipo TCG foi significativamente maior no Grupo Periodontite (p=0,005; odds ratio [OR] = 3,54) do que no Controle. O haplótipo heterozigoto TCG/CCA foi relacionado com um aumento de suscetibilidade à periodontite na população total (p=0,015; OR=3,22). Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que haplótipos no gene CXCR2 estão associados com suscetibilidade à periodontite em indivíduos brasileiros. / Abstract: Objective: This study investigated whether the +785(C/T), +1208(T/C) and +1440(G/A) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CXCR2 gene, as well as their haplotypes, would be associated with susceptibility to periodontitis in Brazilian individuals. Methods: Five hundred individuals in both genders (Control Group [CG] = 224, mean age 35.3 years; Periodontitis Group [PG] = 276, mean age 43.4 years) were recruited for this study from the patient pool of the School of Dentistry of Araraquara - FOAr/UNESP. DNA was extracted from buccal epithelial cells with a solution of organic solvents (phenol/chlorophorm/isoamilic alcohol, - 25:24:1). The +785 and +1208 SNPs were investigated using the Sequence Specific Primers Polymerase Chain Reaction method (SSP-PCR). The +1440 SNP was genotyped by the PCR-RFLP method (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). The SSP-PCR products and the RFLP fragments were submitted to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in a concentration of 10% and 14%, respectively, which were stained by silver staining method. Results: Considering each polymorphism allele and genotype frequency isolated, no differences were found between groups. The frequency of TCG haplotype was significantly higher in the Periodontitis group (p=0.005, odds ratio [OR] =3.54) than in the Controls. The heterozygous haplotype TCG/CCA was related to an increased susceptibility to Periodontitis in the total casuistic (p=0.015, OR=3.22). Conclusion: These data indicate that haplotypes in the CXCR2 gene were associated with susceptibility to periodontitis in brazilian individuals. / Mestre

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. On a global level, iodine deficiency is still the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Also genetic variations, in particular SNP rs4704397 in the PDE8B gene, are responsible for a significant proportion of TSH variations.  Untreated hypothyroidism has significant adverse effects on pregnancy and fetal outcome. Most international guidelines suggest targeted thyroid testing in pregnant women with risk factors for thyroid disturbances. In a case-control study, an association between homozygous A/A as well as homozygous G/G carriers of SNP rs 4704397 in PDE8B and recurrent miscarriage was found. The explanation for this association is unknown. In a nationwide survey, all guidelines for thyroid testing and management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy in Sweden were collected and compared with international guidelines. The local guidelines were variable and poorly compliant with the international guidelines. In a follow-up in one district, 5,254 pregnant women were included for subsequent review of their medical reports. We found a targeted thyroid testing rate of 20.1% in clinical practice, with an overall frequency of women with trimester-specific elevated TSH of 18.5%. More disturbingly, half of the women who were on levothyroxine treatment at the time of conception had an elevated TSH level at thyroid testing. In a subsequent cohort study of the 5,254 women, we found the prevalence of trimester-specific elevated TSH and overt hypothyroidism to be equal in targeted thyroid tested and untested women. In a cross-sectional study, a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of 98 μg/l was found in the study population. According to WHO/UNICEF/IGN criteria, the population-based median UIC during pregnancy should be 150-249 μg/l. In conclusion, genetic variations may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. In clinical practice, thyroid testing and the management of hypothyroidism during pregnancy is unsatisfactory, regarding the whole chain from development of local guidelines to their implementation and to targeted thyroid testing. Moreover, our results indicate insufficient iodine status in the pregnant population of Sweden.