nÃo hà / The Protium heptaphyllum (almecegueira) exudes an amorphous resin consisting of four binary mixtures of triterpenoids, and the mixture of ,-amyrin its major constituent. In folk medicine, the resin of Protium heptaphyllum is used as anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, analgesic, expectorant and healing. The mixture of pentacyclic triterpenes ,-amyrin (AB) (63:37) has gastroprotective, antipruritic, antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. Experimental studies with pentacyclic triterpene compounds belonging to the groups ursan, oleanan and lupan showed inhibition of different enzyme systems intimately related to metabolism/absorption of carbohydrates and lipids. Thus the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of AB was evaluated in Swiss mice, the models of diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan (ALX) and hyperlipidemia induced by triton WR-1339 and hyperlipidemic diet (DH). AB (10, 30 and 100mg/kg) was able to reduce blood glucose in a model of acute treatment in STZ-induced diabetes, we observed two times (3 and 5 hours after administration of AB). In five days after treatment of diabetic animals by ALX, AB (30 and 100 mg/kg) also decreased hyperglycemia, an effect also observed for the use of glibenclamide (10 mg/Kg) in both models. But in normal animals, AB did not affect blood glucose, unlike the positive control glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Although the model of diabetes for ALX, AB reduced total cholesterol (TC) serum at a dose of 100mg/kg, and triglycerides (TG) at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg. In this same model, reduced the serum amylase AB (AB 30 and 100 mg/kg) and serum lipase (AB 100 mg/kg), a result also observed in normal animals, the same doses. In the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), AB (30 and 100 mg/kg) was shown to reduce blood glucose levels 60 min after administration of glucose, and AB (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) in 90 min. In the model of hyperlipidemia by triton, AB (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the levels of TC and TG, in times of 24 and 48 h after administration of triton, an effect also observed for fenofibrate (200 mg/kg) used as positive control. The levels of HDL-c elevation experienced with the use of AB at all doses and times observed, as well as fenofibrate. In the model of hyperlipidemia by HD, AB (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) controlled weight gain of animals receiving HD, as well as reduced TC, TG, LDL-c and VLDL-c, although the latter only in doses 30 and 100 mg/kg. These two doses were also effective in raising HDL-c. All doses of AB administered reduced the atherogenic index. All doses of AB also reduced the hepatic cholesterol in this model. All effects reported were similar to the positive control (fenofibrate 200 mg/kg). AB (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) was able to significantly improve the antioxidant defenses of the liver, because it elevated the activity of hepatic SOD and CAT when compared to control high-fat diet, and raised the level of NP-SH in dose of 100 mg/kg, as well as reduced lipid peroxidation by decreasing the MDA, at all doses. Together, these results indicate that α,β-amyrin has hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effect and deserves further evaluation in larger animal models that simulate chronic conditions of diabetes and dyslipidemia, in addition to research on their mechanism of action. / O Protium heptaphyllum (almecegueira) exsuda uma resina amorfa constituÃda de quatro misturas binÃrias de triterpenÃides, sendo a mistura de ,-amirina o constituinte majoritÃrio. Na medicina popular, a resina de Protium heptaphyllum à utilizada como antiinflamatÃria, gastroprotetora, analgÃsica, expectorante e cicatrizante. A mistura de triterpenos pentacÃclicos ,-amirina (AB) (63:37) possui propriedades gastroprotetora, antipruriginosa, antiinflamatÃria e antioxidante. Estudos experimentais com compostos triterpÃnicos pentacÃclicos que pertencem ao grupo ursano, oleanano e lupano mostraram a inibiÃÃo de diferentes sistemas enzimÃticos intimamente relacionados ao metabolismo/absorÃÃo de carboidratos e lipÃdios, deste modo, a atividade hipoglicemiante e hipolipemiante de AB foi avaliada, em camundongos Swiss, nos modelo de diabetes induzida por estreptozotocina (STZ) e por aloxano (ALX) e hiperlipidemia induzida por triton WR-1339 e dieta hiperlipidÃmica (DH). AB (10, 30 e 100mg/Kg) foi capaz de reduzir a glicemia num tratamento agudo no modelo de diabetes induzida por STZ, nos dois tempos observados (3 e 5h apÃs administraÃÃo de AB). Em tratamento apÃs cinco dias de animais diabÃticos por ALX, AB (30 e 100mg/Kg) tambÃm diminuiu a hiperglicemia, efeito este, tambÃm observado para o uso de glibenclamida (10mg/Kg) nos dois modelos. PorÃm em animais normais, AB nÃo alterou a glicose sanguÃnea, ao contrÃrio do controle positivo glibenclamida (10 mg/Kg). Ainda no modelo de diabetes por ALX, AB reduziu o colesterol total (CT) sÃrico na dose de 100mg/Kg, bem como os triglicerÃdeos (TG) nas doses de 30 e 100 mg/Kg. Neste mesmo modelo, AB reduziu a amilase sÃrica (AB 30 e 100 mg/Kg) e a lipase sÃrica (AB 100mg/Kg), resultado este observado tambÃm em animais normais, nas mesmas doses. No Teste Oral de TolerÃncia à Glicose (TOTG), AB (30 e 100 mg/Kg) mostrou reduzir a glicemia 60 min apÃs a administraÃÃo de glicose, bem como AB (10, 30 e 100 mg/Kg) em 90 min. No modelo de hiperlipidemia por triton WR-1339, AB (10, 30 e 100mg/Kg) reduziu de forma significativa os nÃveis de CT e TG, nos tempos de 24h e 48h apÃs a administraÃÃo do triton WR-1339, efeito observado tambÃm para fenofibrato (200mg/Kg) utilizado como controle positivo. Os nÃveis de HDL-c sofreram elevaÃÃo com o uso de AB em todas as doses e tempos observados, assim como o fenofibrato. No modelo de hiperlipidemia por DH, AB (10, 30 e 100mg/Kg) controlou o ganho de peso dos animais que receberam a DH, bem como reduziram CT, TG, LDL-c e VLDL-c, porÃm este Ãltimo somente nas doses de 30 e 100mg/Kg. Estas duas doses tambÃm foram eficazes para elevar o HDL-c. Todas as doses de AB administradas reduziram o Ãndice aterogÃnico. Todas as doses de AB tambÃm reduziram o colesterol hepÃtico neste modelo. Todos os efeitos relatados foram similares ao controle positivo (fenofibrato 200mg/Kg). AB (10, 30 e 100 mg/Kg) foi capaz de melhorar significativamente as defesas antioxidantes do tecido hepÃtico, pois elevou a atividade das enzimas catalase e superÃxido dismutase hepÃticas, quando comparado ao controle dieta hiperlipÃdica, bem como elevou o nÃvel dos grupos sulfidrÃlicos nÃo protÃicos na dose de 100mg/Kg, assim como reduziu a peroxidaÃÃo lipÃdica ao diminuir o malondialdeÃdo, em todas as doses. Em conjunto, esses resultados indicam que α,β-amirina possui efeito hipoglicemiante e hipolipemiante e que merece maior avaliaÃÃo futura em modelos animais que simulem situaÃÃes crÃnicas de diabetes e dislipidemias, alÃm de pesquisa de seu mecanismo de aÃÃo.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O câncer colo-retal (CCR) representa o quarto tipo de câncer mais freqüente no Brasil entre homens e mulheres e a sobrevida para esse tipo de neoplasia é considerada boa, se a doença for diagnosticada em estádio inicial. Neste tipo de câncer a progressão do adenoma (tumor benigno) para o adenocarcinoma (tumor maligno) é dependente do acúmulo de mutações em diversos oncogenes e genes supressores de tumor. Estas mutações podem levar a alterações de importantes vias de sinalização que controlam estes eventos como, por exemplo, as vias Wnt e EGFR. No entanto, os mecanismos moleculares e celulares mediados por estas vias durante a progressão do CCR permanecem por serem definidos. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a participação da via Wnt e do EGFR durante a progressão do CCR usando células Caco-2, uma linhagem celular derivada de adenocarcinoma de cólon humano como modelo. As células foram tratadas com EGF, ativador da via EGFR, e cloreto de lítio (LiCl), um conhecido inibidor da enzima GSK-3β e conseqüentemente, ativador da via Wnt, ou alternativamente com a combinação de ambas drogas. Após os tratamentos, foi avaliada a morfologia celular, localização e expressão de proteínas juncionais, os padrões proliferativos e do ciclo celular e o potencial tumorigênico (migração e formação de colônias). Nossos resultados mostram que a localização subcelular das proteínas juncionais claudina-1 e β-catenina foi alterada após tratamento com EGF e LiCl, porém a expressão não foi afetada. A localização nuclear de β-catenina, um marcador da ativação da via Wnt, foi observada após tratamento com ambos os compostos, no entanto estes agentes modularam a enzima GSK-3β de forma diferencial. Além disso, tratamento com EGF aumentou a capacidade proliferativa e migratória da célula, mas não alterou a formação de colônias. LiCl, apesar de ser um conhecido ativador da via Wnt, inibiu o aumento da proliferação e migração causado pelo EGF, como visto pelo tratamento das células com EGF+LiCl, e reduziu a formação de colônias. Nossos resultados revelaram que LiCl possui uma atividade supressora de tumor o que pode representar um novo papel para este composto como um possível agente terapêutico para o tratamento do CCR. / Colorectal cancer (CCR) represents the fourth type of cancer most common in Brazil among men and women and the survival for this tumor type is considered good if the disease is diagnosed at early stage. The progression of an adenoma (benign tumor) to an adenocarcinoma (malign tumor) is dependent on the accumulation of mutations in a variety of oncogenes and tumors suppressors genes. These mutations can lead to alterations of important cell signaling pathways that control these events, such as Wnt e EGFR. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediated by these pathways during CCR progression remain to be defined. In the present study we assesses the role that Wnt and EGFR pathway play during CCR progression using Caco-2 cells, a human cell line derived of colorectal cancer, as a model. Cells were treated with EGF, an EGFR pathway activator, and lithium chloride, (LiCl) a known inhibitor of the enzyme GSK-3β and, therefore a Wnt pathway activator or alternatively by using combination of both drugs. After treatments, we monitored cell morphology, localization and expression of junctional proteins, proliferative and cell cycle patterns, and the tumorigenic potential (cell migration and colony formation). We show that subcellular localization of the junctional proteins claudin-1 and β-catenin was altered after treatment with EGF and LiCl, however the expression were not affected. Nuclear localization of β-catenin, a marker of Wnt pathway activation, was observed after treatment with both compounds, however these agents modulated in a differential fashion the enzyme GSK-3β. Furthermore, EGF treatment increased the proliferative and migratory capacity of the cells, but did not alter colony formation potential. LiCl, despite being a known activator of the Wnt pathway, inhibited the increase of proliferation and migration caused by EGF, as demonstrated by the cell treatments with EGF+LiCl, and reduced the cell colony formation. Our results reveal that LiCl present a suppressor tumor activity, which may represent a new role for this compound as potential therapeutic agent in the CCR treatment.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JoseEGJ.pdf: 604842 bytes, checksum: a34879bd40606d248f800a49ed111824 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-12-06 / This report shows 2232 times purification of a βNAcetylhexosaminidase from hepatic extracts from the sea mammal Sotalia fluviatilis homogenate with final recovery of 8,4%. Sequenced steps were utilized for enzyme purification: ammonium sulfate fractionation, Biogel A 1.5 m, chitin, DEAESepharose and hydroxyapatite chromatographies. The protein molecular mass was estimated in 10 kDa using SDSPAGE and confirmed by MALDITOF. It was found to have an optimal pH of 5.0 and a temperature of 60?C. Using pnitrophenylNAcetylβDglycosaminide apparent Km and Vmax values were of 2.72 mM and 0.572 nmol/mg/min, respectively. The enzyme was inhibited by mercury chloride (HgCl2) and sodium dodecil sulfate (SDS) / Este trabalho mostra a purifica??o de 2232 vezes de uma βNAcetilhexosaminidase obtida a partir dos extratos hep?ticos do mam?fero marinho Sotalia fluviatilis com recupera??o final de 8,4%. Passos seq?enciais foram utilizados para a purifica??o enzim?tica: fracionamento com sulfato de am?nio e as cromatografias de Biogel A 1.5 m, Quitina, DEAESepharose e Hidroxiapatita. A massa molecular prot?ica foi estimada em 10 kDa usando SDSPAGE e confirmada por MALDITOF. Foi encontrado como pH e temperatura ?timos, 5,0 e 60?C, respectivamente. Os valores de Km e Vm?x aparentes foram 2,72 mM e 0,572 nmol/mg/min, sendo utilizado o pnitrofenilNAcetilβDglicosamin?deo como substrato. A enzima foi inibida pelo cloreto de merc?rio (HgCl2) e dodecil sulfato de s?dio (SDS)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O câncer colo-retal (CCR) representa o quarto tipo de câncer mais freqüente no Brasil entre homens e mulheres e a sobrevida para esse tipo de neoplasia é considerada boa, se a doença for diagnosticada em estádio inicial. Neste tipo de câncer a progressão do adenoma (tumor benigno) para o adenocarcinoma (tumor maligno) é dependente do acúmulo de mutações em diversos oncogenes e genes supressores de tumor. Estas mutações podem levar a alterações de importantes vias de sinalização que controlam estes eventos como, por exemplo, as vias Wnt e EGFR. No entanto, os mecanismos moleculares e celulares mediados por estas vias durante a progressão do CCR permanecem por serem definidos. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a participação da via Wnt e do EGFR durante a progressão do CCR usando células Caco-2, uma linhagem celular derivada de adenocarcinoma de cólon humano como modelo. As células foram tratadas com EGF, ativador da via EGFR, e cloreto de lítio (LiCl), um conhecido inibidor da enzima GSK-3β e conseqüentemente, ativador da via Wnt, ou alternativamente com a combinação de ambas drogas. Após os tratamentos, foi avaliada a morfologia celular, localização e expressão de proteínas juncionais, os padrões proliferativos e do ciclo celular e o potencial tumorigênico (migração e formação de colônias). Nossos resultados mostram que a localização subcelular das proteínas juncionais claudina-1 e β-catenina foi alterada após tratamento com EGF e LiCl, porém a expressão não foi afetada. A localização nuclear de β-catenina, um marcador da ativação da via Wnt, foi observada após tratamento com ambos os compostos, no entanto estes agentes modularam a enzima GSK-3β de forma diferencial. Além disso, tratamento com EGF aumentou a capacidade proliferativa e migratória da célula, mas não alterou a formação de colônias. LiCl, apesar de ser um conhecido ativador da via Wnt, inibiu o aumento da proliferação e migração causado pelo EGF, como visto pelo tratamento das células com EGF+LiCl, e reduziu a formação de colônias. Nossos resultados revelaram que LiCl possui uma atividade supressora de tumor o que pode representar um novo papel para este composto como um possível agente terapêutico para o tratamento do CCR. / Colorectal cancer (CCR) represents the fourth type of cancer most common in Brazil among men and women and the survival for this tumor type is considered good if the disease is diagnosed at early stage. The progression of an adenoma (benign tumor) to an adenocarcinoma (malign tumor) is dependent on the accumulation of mutations in a variety of oncogenes and tumors suppressors genes. These mutations can lead to alterations of important cell signaling pathways that control these events, such as Wnt e EGFR. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediated by these pathways during CCR progression remain to be defined. In the present study we assesses the role that Wnt and EGFR pathway play during CCR progression using Caco-2 cells, a human cell line derived of colorectal cancer, as a model. Cells were treated with EGF, an EGFR pathway activator, and lithium chloride, (LiCl) a known inhibitor of the enzyme GSK-3β and, therefore a Wnt pathway activator or alternatively by using combination of both drugs. After treatments, we monitored cell morphology, localization and expression of junctional proteins, proliferative and cell cycle patterns, and the tumorigenic potential (cell migration and colony formation). We show that subcellular localization of the junctional proteins claudin-1 and β-catenin was altered after treatment with EGF and LiCl, however the expression were not affected. Nuclear localization of β-catenin, a marker of Wnt pathway activation, was observed after treatment with both compounds, however these agents modulated in a differential fashion the enzyme GSK-3β. Furthermore, EGF treatment increased the proliferative and migratory capacity of the cells, but did not alter colony formation potential. LiCl, despite being a known activator of the Wnt pathway, inhibited the increase of proliferation and migration caused by EGF, as demonstrated by the cell treatments with EGF+LiCl, and reduced the cell colony formation. Our results reveal that LiCl present a suppressor tumor activity, which may represent a new role for this compound as potential therapeutic agent in the CCR treatment.

A la bibliografía es poden trobar múltiples exemples que mostren com els β-aminoàcids són capaços d'adoptar estructures secundàries en forma de hèlix, girs o làmina. Per aquest motiu, en el nostre grup de recerca hem sintetitzat β¬pèptids constituïts per residus ciclobutànics amb el propòsit d'estudiar si aquest anell carbocíclic pot constituir una restricció conformacional que origini la formació d'estructures secundàries o terciàries. En la present Tesi Doctoral, s'han sintetitzat dos tipus de pèptids ciclobutànics, un on l'anell ciclobutànic forma part de l'esquelet peptídic i un altre on l'anell es troba com a substituent. També s'han sintetitzat diferents urees ciclobutàniques i materials mixtes constituïts per TTF-β-dipèptid ciclobutànic. Aquest treball s'ha organitzat en diferents apartats. Es pot trobar una Introducció General on s'explica el nostre interès per aquest tipus de compostos, seguida de diferents capítols on es tracten diversos temes. En cada capítol es descriu el procediment sintètic realitzat, així com l'estudi estructural dels compostos sintetitzats. Aquest estudi s'ha dut a terme en solució, per analitzar així les estructures secundàries generades utilitzant técniques de RMN, DC i càlculs teòrics. També s'ha realitzat un estudi supramolecular mitjançant tècniques microscòpiques (TEM, AFM, SEM) amb l'objectiu d'analitzar les possibles estructures terciàries originades pels diferents compostos. En el capítol dedicat a les urees, es descriuen aquests compostos obtinguts com a productes no desitjats a la síntesis dels derivats β-cis¬ciclobutànics. Donat que s'han obtingut difraccions de raigs X d'aquests compostos, s'ha realitzat un estudi d'aquests en estat sòlid. A més a més, hem dut a terme un estudi preliminar sobre possibles aplicacions que aquests derivats ciclobutànics puguin presentar. Per aquesta raó, per una banda s'ha avaluat l'activitat de diferents β-pèptids ciclobutànics com a inhibidors enzimàtics de la CPA i la CPB. D'altra banda, també es mostra com s'ha sintetitzat i estudiat un conductor orgànic quiral mitjançant un acoblament entre un dels nostres β-dipèptids ciclobutànics amb un derivat TTF. / It is well documented that peptides built in β-amino acids could be able to adopt secondary structures like helices, turns or sheets. Therefore, in our research group, we have synthesized β-peptides made of cyclobutane containing residues with the purpose to study if this carbocyclic ring could provide conformational constraint to prompt the formation of secondary or even tertiary structures. In the present work, we have synthesized two different kinds of cyclobutane containing peptides, one where the cyclobutane ring is a part of the main carbon chain and another class where this ring is taken in as a substituent. We have also synthesized different cyclobutane ureas and mixed materials composed of TTF-cyclobutane β-dipeptide. This Doctoral Thesis has been organized in different parts. There is a General Introduction where we explain our interest in this sort of compounds, followed by different chapters for every subject. In each chapter we describe the synthetic procedure(s) for the target cyclobutane containing compounds as well as their structural study. This has been carried out in solution, to analyse the generated secondary structures, using NMR techniques, CD and theoretical calculations. We have also performed a supramolecular study by microscopic approaches (TEM, AFM, SEM) to explore the possible tertiary structures these compounds could develop. In the chapter devoted to ureas, we describe these compounds as secondary products obtained from the synthesis of β-cis-cyclobutane derivatives. In this case, we have been able to obtain X-ray diffraction pattern and, consequently, we have studied these compounds in the solid state too. In addition, we have carried out a preliminary study about the applications these cyclobutane derivatives could present. For that reason, on one hand, we have explored the activity of some cyclobutane β-peptides as CPA and CPB enzyme inhibitors. On the other hand, we also show how we have synthesized and studied a chiral organic conductor by coupling one of our cyclobutane β-dipeptide with a TTF derivative.

En los últimos años nuestro grupo ha estudiado las diferentes vías de señalización inducidas por TGF-β en hepatocitos fetales de rata. A dosis bajas, el TGF-β inhibe el crecimiento, pero a concentraciones más elevadas es capaz de inducir apoptosis (Sanchez et al. 1995; Sanchez et al. 1996). El proceso apoptótico está mediado por un incremento en el contenido intracelular de ROS, dependiente de la síntesis de novo de proteínas, y que correlaciona con una caída en los niveles intracelulares de glutatión (Sanchez et al. 1997). La muerte inducida por TGF-β en estas células se correlaciona con un descenso en los niveles de Bcl-xL, la despolarización de la membrana mitocondrial, la salida de citocromo c y posterior activación de caspasas (Herrera et al. 2001a; Herrera et al. 2001b). El incremento de ROS intracelulares se produce por activación de un sistema NADPH oxidasa y por disminución en la expresión de proteínas antioxidantes (Herrera et al. 2004). Recientemente hemos descrito que la NADPH oxidasa NOX4 se induce en condiciones pro-apoptóticas (Carmona-Cuenca et al. 2006), pero otras NADPH oxidasas podrían jugar un papel diferente en la señalización inducida por TGF-β (Murillo et al., 2007). La muerte inducida por TGF-β puede ser inhibida por EGF a través de la activación de PI3K (Fabregat et al. 2000), que contrarresta la expresión de Nox4 (Carmona-Cuenca et al. 2006). Sin embargo, el 40-50% de las células sobreviven a los efectos apoptóticos del TGF-β y adquieren una morfología fibroblastoide (Sanchez et al. 1999). Esto es debido a que el TGF-β también induce señales anti-apoptóticas en los hepatocitos fetales, proceso que requiere la activación del EGFR, producida por un aumento en los niveles de expresión de sus ligandos y activación de la metaloproteasa TACE/ADAM17 que los proteoliza y activa (Valdes et al. 2004; Murillo et al. 2005; Del Castillo et al. 2006; Murillo et al. 2007). Las células que sobreviven al TGF-β responden a esta citoquina en términos de migración e invasión, disminuyendo la expresión de marcadores hepáticos (Sanchez et al. 1999), e induciendo un proceso de EMT (Valdes et al. 2002). La población mesenquimática resultante es resistente a la muerte inducida por TGF-β, ha sufrido un proceso de desdiferenciación y expresa marcadores de célula madre (Del Castillo et al. 2006; del Castillo et al. 2008). Esta población puede rediferenciarse tanto a un linaje hepatocítico como hacia células biliares cuando se mantienen con los medios de diferenciación adecuados. Por último, resultados preliminares al inicio de esta tesis doctoral proponían que la doble respuesta al TGF-β observada en hepatocitos fetales de rata en cultivo primario era exclusiva de este estadio del desarrollo hepático, ya que en hepatocitos adultos de rata el TGF-β sólo inducía apoptosis. La incapacidad del TGF-β de inducir señales de supervivencia parece deberse a la baja expresión de AKT y de TACE observada en hepatocitos adultos. Además, el TGF-β era incapaz de inducir un proceso de EMT en hepatocitos adultos de rata. A la vista de estos resultados se consideró de gran importancia analizar cuál podría ser la respuesta al TGF-β en células tumorales hepáticas. Así, nuestro principal objetivo en esta tesis ha sido analizar si las células de carcinoma hepatocelular responden a la muerte celular inducida por el TGF-β, y en el caso de que hayan adquirido resistencia, estudiar los mecanismos moleculares que la confieren. También queríamos saber si el TGF-β induce señales de supervivencia y un proceso de EMT en células tumorales hepáticas, y la relevancia de este proceso en la progresión del tumor hepático. Aunque quisimos iniciar el estudio con células de hepatoma de rata, debido a nuestra experiencia en este modelo de celular, consideramos muy importante también analizar la situación en células tumorales de hígado humano, ya que es conocido que los niveles de TGF-β son elevados en carcinoma hepatocelular (HCC) y diferentes evidencias han sugerido que la respuesta al TGF-β está alterada en células de HCC. / In the last years our research has focused on analyzing the signaling pathways induced by TGF-β in liver tumor cell lines, to understand the molecular mechanisms that confer resistance to its suppressor effects. TGF-β induces apoptosis in human fetal hepatocytes and in some liver tumor cells (FaO rat hepatoma, Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5 human hepatocarcinoma cells), which requires reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and up-regulation of the NADPH oxidase NOX4. This process is coincident with an increased expression of pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members, such as BMF or BIM. However, in these same cells, TGF-β also induces anti-apoptotic signals, mediated by the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and coincident with up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-XL, MCL1 or HIAP1. Inhibition of the EGFR, either by pharmacological inhibitors or through targeting knock-down with specific siRNA, significantly enhances the apoptotic response, which indicates that the EGFR plays a relevant role in conferring resistance to TGF-β-induced cell death. However, even when the EGFR is inhibited, some hepatocellular carcinoma cells, such as HepG2 or SK-Hep1, continue showing resistance to TGF-β-induced cell death. HepG2 cells are sensitized to TGF-β-induced apoptosis through the inhibition of the MEK pathway. MEK inhibition allows TGF-β to induce its pro-apoptotic program in these cells, which is coincident with NOX4 upregulation, modulation of the expression of BCL-2 family members and caspase-3 activation. It is worthy to note that activation of survival pathways, such as EGFR or MEK/ERK, in liver tumor cells confers resistance to TGF-β-induced cell death through impairing NOX4 up-regulation, which is required for an efficient mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Finally, our results have indicated that TGF-β is able to induce an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in human fetal hepatocytes, FaO rat hepatoma cells and Hep3B human hepatocarcinoma cells. TGF-β induces Snail expression, coincident with a decrease in E-cadherin mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, cells show an increased expression of mesenchymal genes and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in stress fibers. Interestingly, these cells show loss of expression of specific hepatic markers and increased expression of stem cell markers. Indeed, chronic treatment with TGF-β selects a population of mesenchymal cells with a de-differentiated phenotype, reminiscent of progenitor-like cells. In summary, TGF-β induces different signals in liver tumor cells, some of them might contribute to tumor suppression (apoptosis), but others should mediate liver tumor progression and invasion.

The recently isolated bacterial metabolites, belactosins A-C from a fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. UCK14, uniquely contain a β-lactone dipeptide motif and exhibit anticancer activities. The enantioselective synthesis of (-)-belactosin C and derivatives was accomplished in a concise manner employing the tandem, Mukaiyama aldol-lactonizaton (TMAL) process and test their bioactivities. . One approach involved a distal double diastereoselective TMAL reaction with a dipeptide glyoxamide, whereas a second approach involved amide coupling of a dipeptide with a β-lactone carboxylic acid, obtained via the TMAL process employing a chiral silyl ketene acetal. Enzymatic assays showed that the belactosins act as the dual inhibitors of the proteasome and the thioesterase domain of fatty acid synthase. Spongiolactone which uniquely contains a cyclopentyl-fused β-lactone was isolated in 1986 from Spongi-onellagracilis No biological activity have been reported for this compound; however, the acylating potential of the resident β-lactone warrants screening for potential activity. After many setbacks in the synthesis of spongiolactone, significant progress has been made. Importantly, NCAL process also enabled a concise construction of [3.2.0]-bicyclo β-lactone, which is the key structure in the spongiolactone synthesis and only a few steps remained to complete the synthesis.