Orientadores: Sérgio Marangoni, Luís Alberto Ponce Soto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T10:47:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carregari_VictorCorasolla_M.pdf: 2297387 bytes, checksum: fc95267d0ed3c753978294fe999d0cf7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: O presente trabalho apresenta a purificação e caracterização bioquímica de uma nova PLA2 neurotóxica nomeada BbilTX-I isolada do veneno da serpente Bothriopsis bilineta. Esta proteína foi purificada através de dois passos cromatográficos, em Sephadex G75 e HPLC de fase reversa C18 (?Bondapak Watters). A BbilTX-I é uma PLA2D49, com elevada atividade catalítica, massa molecular de 14185,48 Da, e alta similaridade na sua sequência N-terminal com outras PAL2 de veneno de serpentes. A temperatura ótima para a atividade enzimática da BbilTX-I está entre 25Cº e 37 ºC. A fração BbilTX-I é cálcio dependente e tem a atividade enzimática bastante diminuída quando testadas com os íons divalentes. Da mesma forma como outras PLA2 descritas na literatura, a BbilTX-I mostra o pH ótimo em torno de 8. A fração F3 isoladas de crotapotinas crotálicas e a DA2-II extraída do soro de Didelphis albiventris apresentaram um efeito inibitório de mais de 50% sobre a atividade enzimática da toxina BbilTX-I. O efeito da concentração do substrato 4-nitro-3-(octanoiloxi) ácido benzóico sobre a atividade enzimática da BbilTX-I demonstrou que a toxina é uma enzima monomérica com tendência alostérica sugerindo provavelmente um mecanismo de cooperatividade positiva mnemônical. A PLA2 BbilTX-I inserida em preparação isolada de biventer cervicis de pintainho apresentou um efeito bloqueador da transmissão nervosa na junção neuromuscular, em doses de 10, 20, 30 e 50?g/ml e causou 50% de bloqueio em 20 minutos com 10 ?g/ml, 30 minutos com 20 ?g/ml, 22 minutos com 30 ?g/ml e 20 minutos com 50 ?g/ml. Como não houve alteração significativa na resposta ao KCl (usado para detectar danos na membrana celular) e à Acetilcolina (usada para identificar atividade sobre os receptores colinérgicos nicotinicos) podemos dizer que a PAL2 BbilTX-I é uma neurotoxina pré-sináptica não miotoxica, que atua no terminal nervoso da sinapse neuromuscular interferindo sabre a liberação da ACh. A crotapotina F3 isolada do veneno da serpente Crotalus durissus cascavella e o fator anti-homorrágico DA2-II isolado do soro de Dildelphis albiventris inibiram em 64% e 57% respectivamente a atividade edematizante da fração BbilTX-I demonstrando que a ação inflamatória desta proteína é dependente de sua ação catalítica / Abstract: In this present work we described the purification and functional characterization of a new neurotoxic PLA2, named BbilTX-I from Bothriopsis bilineata snake venom. This protein was by the combination of two chromatographic steps, Molecular Exclusion on a Sephadex lunm and Reverse Phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) on a C18 ?-Bondapack (Waters) column. BbilTX-I is a monomeric PLA2-D49 showing high purity degree in SDS-PAGE in both reducing and non-reducing conditions. The purity of the toxin was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and shows a molecular mass of 14185.48 Da. BbilTX-I posses a high catalytic activity upon 4-nitro-3-(octanoiloxi) benzóic acid as a substrate compare with other bothropic PLA2. The optimal temperature and pH for BbilTX-I activity was determinate between 25-37 °C and around 8, respectively. This PLA2 is Ca+2 dependent but others divalent ions significatively reduce its catalytic activity, when pre­incubated with the protein. Also were tested the effects of fraction F3, crotapotin from Crotalus durrisous cascavela, and anti-hemorrhagic factor DA2-Il from Didelphis albiventris opossum sera under optimal conditions; both fraction showed an inhibitory effect over the BbilTX-I catalytic activity. At different concentrations of the substrate this monomeric PLA2 show an allosteric behavior suggesting a positive cooperative mnemonical enzyme mechanism in the catalysis. BbilTX-I showed an inhibitor effect on neuromuscular nerve transmissions on the isolated muscle biventer cervicis. At doses at 10, 20, 30 and 50 g/ml it elicited a blockade of 50% of 20, 30, 22 and 20 minutes, respectively. The effect displayed by BbilTX-I did not with the responses evoked by the addition of KCl (cell membrane damage) and (Ach functionality of cholinergic receptors), thus, we can argue that BbliTX-I is a pre-synaptic neurotoxin impairing the Ach liberation. BbilTX-I shows itself as an edematogenic PLA2 when injected in the mouse right footpad, it elicited a 70% higher than of edema when compare with the control. The edemetogenic activity of this PAL2 is related to its catalytic activity since both are inhibited by F3 crotapotin and DA2-II, 64 and 57% respectively. The reproducibility of biological activity, through the pharmacologic effects, only is possible by the use of chemically homogeneous fractions that hold biological function integrity. This fraction was obtain with high efficiency methodologies like HPLC, mass spectrometry, this result can be associated with the biological activity, disregarding the subjectivity caused by the venom or by impure fractions. This kind of methodologies can be applied to biochemical, structure and function, logical and pharmacological studies, which can reveal unknown mechanism in the function-structure relationship of snake venom PLA2 / Mestrado / Bioquimica / Mestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

As Fosfolipases A2 (PLA2) são enzimas que atuam desconstruindo membranas celulares, resultando em ácidos graxos e lisofosfolipidios, causando inflamação tecidual. Evidências indicam que serpentes possuem uma resistência natural devido a propriedades presentes no sangue, que inibem ações de proteínas presentes no veneno. Portanto, no presente trabalho foi isolado e caracterizado bioquimicamente e biologicamente o primeiro inibidor de PLA2 do tipo gama (γPLI) do soro da serpente B. jararaca, denominado PLI_BJ. O inibidor de PLA2 foi isolado utilizando dois passos cromatográficos. O PLI_BJ mostrou, por SDS-PAGE, uma massa molecular aparente de 25 000 e 20 000 em condições redutoras e não redutoras, respectivamente. A sequência de aminoácidos parcial de PLI_BJ foi determinada por espectrometria de massa e corresponde a 72% e 68% de cobertura da sequência de aminoácidos de duas proteínas já descritas como PLI. O PLI_BJ mostrou também atividade inibitória satisfatória nos três testes realizados sugerindo um papel deste inibidor nos efeitos de envenenamento da serpente. / Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are enzymes that act on cell membrane phospholipids resulting in fatty acids and lysophospholipids, deconstructing the cell wall causing tissue inflammation. Evidence indicates that snakes have natural resistance due to protective properties of blood that inhibits the action of proteins present in the venom. This study aimed to purify and characterize PLA2 inhibitors (PLI) from serum of the Bothrops jararaca snakes. PLA2 inhibitor was isolated using two chromatographic steps, and was named PLI_BJ. The purity of the PLI_BJ was confirmed by HPLC and SEC. The PLI_BJ showed, by SDS-PAGE, an molecular mass of 25,000 and 20,000 under reducing and non-reducing conditions, respectively. The partial amino acid sequence of PLI_BJ was determined by mass spectrometry and it corresponds to 72% and 68% of coverage of the amino acid sequence of two proteins already described as PLI. The PLI_BJ also showed satisfactory inhibitory activity in the three tests performed suggesting a role of this inhibitor in snake envenomation effects.

L'activation des gamétocytes de Plasmodium falciparum par exposition à l'acide xanthurénique à basse température conduit à la sortie de gamètes mâles et femelles matures des érythrocytes de l’hôte, ce qui est essentiel pour la fertilisation et la formation ultérieure de zygotes. Les gamètes possèdent des vésicules cytosoliques contenant une protéine formant des pores connue sous le nom de PfPLP2. Durant la sortie, les vésicules ayant PfPLP2 sont redistribuées du cytoplasme des gamètes à la périphérie. Puis ces vésicules vont sécréter PfPLP2 permettant ainsi la sortie des gamètes par perforation de la membrane érythrocytaire. Dans cette étude, nous avons identifié le rôle d'une phospholipase de type patatine A2 (PfPATPL1) dans la sortie de gamètes de P. falciparum. Nous avons utilisé une approche de génétique inverse pour générer un knock-down conditionnel de PfPATPL1 par fusion à un domaine de déstabilisation (DD). Nous avons modifié l’expression PfPATPL1 dans les gamétocytes de stade V en supprimant le ligand de Shield-1, ce qui nous a permis de constater l’importance de PfPATPL1 durant les différentes étapes de la gamétogenèse, ainsi que dans l'arrondissement des gamétocytes, la sortie des gamètes et l'exflagellation des gamètes mâles. Nous avons également trouvé que PfPATPL1 est nécessaire pour la redistribution des vésicules portant PfPLP2 à la périphérie des gamètes pendant sortie. De plus, nous avons utilisé un inhibiteur connu de la phospholipase du nom de bromure de 4-bromophénacyle (4-BPB) pour étudier l'importance de l'activité de la PLA2 dans la gamétogenèse. Nous avons découvert que le traitement par le 4-BPB entraîne également des anomalies dans l'arrondissement des gamétocytes, inhibe la sortie des gamètes et l'exflagellation des gamètes mâles. Et que ce même traitement au 4-BPB entravait la redistribution des vésicules contenant PfPLP2 à la périphérie des gamètes. Lorsque les moustiques ont été nourris avec des gamétocytes traités au 4-BPB dans un test d'alimentation membranaire standard (SMFA), nous avons observé une diminution significative du taux d'infection des moustiques et une chute drastique de la densité des oocystes et du nombre de moustiques infectés. Ces données suggèrent que PfPATPL1 est important pour le développement des gamètes chez les moustiques et peut constituer une cible prometteuse pour les stratégies d'intervention de transmissivité. / The activation of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes by exposure to low temperature and xanthurenic acid leads to the egress of mature male and female gametes from host erythrocytes, which is essential for fertilization and subsequent zygote formation. Gametes contain cytosolic vesicles bearing a pore forming protein known as PfPLP2. During egress, PfPLP2 containing vesicles gets redistributed from gamete cytoplasm to periphery. Subsequently, PfPLP2 is secreted from these vesicles leading to perforation of host erythrocyte membrane resulting in gamete egress. In this study, we have identified the role of a patatin-like phospholipase A2 (PfPATPL1) in P. falciparum gamete egress. We have taken a reverse genetics approach to generate a conditional knock down of PfPATPL1 by fusion to a destabilization domain (DD). We have knocked down PfPATPL1 in Stage V gametocytes by removal of Shield-1 ligand and found that PfPATPL1 is required during different steps of gametogenesis including gametocyte rounding up, gamete egress and male gamete exflagellation. We have also found that PfPATPL1 is needed for redistribution of PfPLP2 bearing vesicles to the gamete periphery during egress. Additionally, we have utilized a known inhibitor of phospholipase A2 known as 4- bromophenacyl bromide (4-BPB) to study the importance of PLA2 activity in gametogenesis. We have found that 4-BPB treatment also leads to defects in gametocyte rounding up, inhibits gamete egress and male gamete exflagellation. 4-BPB treatment also hampers the redistribution of PfPLP2 containing vesicles to gamete periphery. When the mosquitoes were fed with 4-BPB treated gametocytes in a standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA), we observed a significant decline in mosquito infection rate and a drastic drop in oocyst density and number of infected mosquitos. These data suggests that PfPATPL1 is important for gamete development in mosquitos and may serve as a promising target for transmmision intervention strategies.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Résumé : Les maladies cardiovasculaires représentent la principale cause de mortalité mondiale, soit le tiers des décès annuels selon l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé. L’hypercholestérolémie, caractérisée par une élévation des niveaux plasmatiques de lipoprotéines de faible densité (LDL), est l’un des facteurs de risque majeur pour les maladies cardiovasculaires. La proprotéine convertase subtilisine/kexine type 9 (PCSK9) joue un rôle essentiel dans l’homéostasie du cholestérol sanguin par la régulation des niveaux protéiques du récepteur LDL (LDLR). PCSK9 est capable de se lier au LDLR et favorise l’internalisation et la dégradation du récepteur dans les lysosomes. L’inhibition de PCSK9 s’avère une cible thérapeutique validée pour le traitement de l’hypercholestérolémie et la prévention des maladies cardiovasculaires. Par contre, plusieurs mécanismes responsables de la régulation et la dégradation du complexe PCSK9-LDLR n’ont pas encore été complètement caractérisés comme la régulation par la protéine annexin A2 (AnxA2), un inhibiteur endogène de PCSK9. De plus, plusieurs évidences suggèrent la présence d’une ou plusieurs protéines, encore inconnues, impliquées dans le mécanisme d’action de PCSK9. Celles-ci pourraient réguler l’internalisation et le transport du complexe PCSK9-LDLR vers les lysosomes. Les objectifs de cette thèse sont de mieux définir le rôle et l’impact de l’AnxA2 sur la protéine PCSK9 en plus d’identifier de nouveaux partenaires d’interactions de PCSK9 pour mieux caractériser son mécanisme d’action sur la régulation des niveaux de LDLR. Nous avons démontré que l’inhibition de PCSK9 par l’AnxA2 extracellulaire s’effectue via sa liaison aux domaines M1+M2 de la région C-terminale de PCSK9 et nous avons mis en évidence les premières preuves d’un contrôle intracellulaire de l’AnxA2 sur la traduction de l’ARNm de PCSK9. Nos résultats révèlent une liaison de l’AnxA2 à l’ARN messager de PCSK9 qui cause une répression traductionnelle. Nous avons également identifié la protéine glypican-3 (GPC3) comme un nouveau partenaire d’interaction extracellulaire avec le PCSK9 et intracellulaire avec le complexe PCSK9-LDLR dans le réticulum endoplasmique des cellules HepG2 et Huh7. Nos études démontrent que GPC3 réduit l’activité extracellulaire de PCSK9 en agissant comme un compétiteur du LDLR pour la liaison avec PCSK9. Une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de régulation et de dégradation du complexe PCKS9-LDLR permettra de mieux évaluer l’impact et l’efficacité des inhibiteurs de la protéine PCSK9. / Abstract : Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of global mortality, responsible for one third of global deaths, according to the latest statistics from World Health Organization. Hypercholesterolemia, characterized by increased plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, is a major determinant of cardiovascular disease risk. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a critical role in cholesterol homeostasis by regulating LDL receptor (LDLR) protein levels. PCSK9 binds to the LDLR and promotes its internalization and degradation in late endosomal/lysosomal compartments. Inhibition of PCSK9 action on LDLR has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Annexin A2 (AnxA2) was reported as an endogenous extracellular inhibitor of PCSK9 activity upon cell-surface LDLR degradation and mechanisms of PCSK9’s regulation by AnxA2. However, its role on PCSK9 regulation still need better characterization in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Moreover, many evidences suggest the presence of additional unknown interaction partners involve in the LDLR regulation and degradation mediated by PCSK9. These unknown partners could regulate the internalization and trafficking of the PCSK9-LDLR complex to lysosomes. The objectives of this thesis are to better define the role and impact of AnxA2 on PCSK9 and to identify novel PCSK9 interacting partners that participate and regulate the PCSK9-LDLR complex formation and degradation. We demonstrated that PCSK9 inhibition by extracellular AnxA2 occurs via its interaction with the M1+M2 modules of PCSK9’s C-terminal region. Most importantly, we revealed a new role of intracellular AnxA2 in the reduction of PCSK9 protein levels via a translational mechanism. Our results suggest a translational repression from the binding of AnxA2 to PCSK9’s mRNA. Also, we successfully identified a novel and functional interaction between glypican-3 (GPC3) and PCSK9. We demonstrated the extracellular GPC3 interaction with PCSK9 and the intracellular GPC3 with both PCSK9 and LDLR in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. Our studies revealed that extracellular GPC3 can act as an endogenous competitive binding partner of PCSK9 to the LDLR, and hence reducing its activity towards LDLR degradation. The continued understanding of PCSK9 interactions is critical, from a mechanistic point of view as well as from the optimization of therapeutic interventions.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

As fosfolipases A2 (PLA2s) de peçonhas de serpentes compreendem um grupo de enzimas de massas moleculares variáveis entre 14.000 e 18.000, e são responsáveis por vários efeitos tóxicos induzidos pela peçonha destes animais, tornando-se necessária a busca por inibidores naturais de PLA2¬s. O presente trabalho propôs a caracterização bioquímica, farmacológica e estrutural de duas proteínas inibitórias isoladas do plasma da serpente Bothrops jararacussu (BjussuMIPs), que neutralizam as atividades enzimáticas, tóxicas e farmacológicas de diferentes PLA2s. Estes inibidores foram isolados por cromatografia de afinidade em miotoxina-Sepharose, demonstrando que ambos são glicoproteínas com massas moleculares de 24.000 (BjussuMIP) e 23.500 (BjussuMIP) para os monômeros e de 120.000 (BjussuMIP) e 160.000 (BjussuMIP) para os oligômeros. O tratamento dos BjussuMIPs com a N-glicosidase F reduziram os seus pesos moleculares para aproximadamente 18.000, mas não afetaram suas atividades inibitórias sobre PLA2s, sugerindo que os carboidratos tem pouco ou nenhum papel na associação dos BjussuMIPs com estas enzimas. A análise do BjussuMIP por dicroísmo circular mostrou 44% de -hélice, 18% de folhas , 10% de voltas e 28% de estruturas aleatórias. O cDNA obtido por PCR a partir do fígado desta serpente revelou 432 pb (BjussuMIP) e 543 pb (BjussuMIP) que codificam para 144 e 181 resíduos de aminoácidos, respectivamente. O alinhamento da sequência de BjussuMIP com a de outros inibidores do tipo , denominados de PLIs, apresentou 73-92% de similaridade e o BjussuMIP mostrou 89-94% com inibidores do tipo PLIs. Os BjussuMIPs demonstraram ser relativamente estável a variações de pH (6-12) e temperatura, entretanto, perderam atividade inibitória quando submetido a altas temperaturas. A caracterização funcional indica que os BjussuMIPs apresentaram propriedades inibitórias sobre diferentes PLA2s isoladas de peçonhas de serpentes dos gêneros Bothrops e Crotalus. Ambos BjussuMIPs revelaram propriedades farmacológicas como a inibição das atividades fosfolipásica, anticoagulante, miotóxica, indução de edema, citotóxica, bactericida e letal. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o BjussuMIP mostra maior afinidade sobre as PLA2s homólogas Lys49 como BthTX-I e PrTX-I, enquanto que o BjussuMIP apresenta-se mais específico para PLA2s Asp49, sugerindo uma especificidade entre os BjussuMIPs e tipos de PLA2s. Além disso, ambos os inibidores mostraram ser eficazes na suplementação do antiveneno botrópico em diferentes concentrações, resultando no aumento da capacidade do soro em neutralizar toxinas de serpentes. Os aspectos abordados neste trabalho poderão trazer informações complementares sobre possíveis mecanismos de ação, podendo resultar no melhor entendimento dos efeitos inibitórios exercidos pelos BjussuMIPs, assim como auxiliar o tratamento do envenenamento ofídico pela suplementação da soroterapia tradicional. / Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) from snake venoms comprise a group of enzymes with molecular weights varying from 14,000 to 18,000, and are responsible for several toxic effects induced by the venom of these animals, making important the search for natural inhibitors of PLA2s. The present work proposed the biochemical, pharmacological and structural characterization of two protein inhibitors isolated from the plasma of Bothrops jararacussu snake (BjussuMIPs), which neutralize the enzymatic, toxic and pharmacological activities of different PLA2s. These inhibitors were isolated by an affinity chromatography on myotoxin-Sepharose, showing that both are glycoproteins with molecular weights of 24,000 (BjussuMIP) and 23,500 (BjussuMIP) for the monomers and 120,000 (BjussuMIP) and 160,000 (BjussuMIP) for the oligomers. The treatment of BjussuMIPs with N-glucosidase F reduced their molecular weights to about 18,000, but did not affect their inhibitory activity on PLA2s, suggesting that the carbohydrates have little or no role in the association of these BjussuMIPs with these enzymes. The analysis of BjussuMIP by circular dichroism showed 44% of -helix, 18% of sheets, 10% of turns and 28% of random structures. The cDNA obtained by PCR from the snake liver showed 432 bp for BjussuMIP and 543 bp for BjussuMIP, which encode for 144 and 181 amino acid residues, respectively. The alignment of the sequence of BjussuMIP with those from other -inhibitors (PLIs) showed 73-92% of similarity and 89-94% for the BjussuMIP compared to other PLIs. The BjussuMIPs showed to be relatively stable to changes in pH (6-12) and temperature, however lost of its activity when submitted to high temperatures. The functional characterization indicates that both BjussuMIPs presented inhibitory properties on different snake venom PLA2s from the genera Bothrops and Crotalus. Both BjussuMIPs showed pharmacological properties such as inhibition of phospholipase, anticoagulant, myotoxic, cytotoxic, bactericidal, edema-inducing and lethal activities. The results show that BjussuMIP presents higher affinity to Lys49-PLA2 homologous, such as BthTX-I and PrTX-I, while BjussuMIP is more specific to Asp49-PLA2s, suggesting specificity between BjussuMIPs and types of PLA2s. Moreover, both inhibitors proved effective in the supplementation of Bothrops antivenom at different concentrations, resulting in an increased capacity of serum in neutralizing snake toxins. The issues reported in this work could bring additional information on possible mechanisms of action and may result in better understanding of the inhibitory effects exerted by these BjussuMIPs, as well as assist the treatment of ophidian envenomations by supplementation of the traditional serum therapy.

Metastasis is the major cause of cancer related mortality, due to a poor understanding of the metastatic process and a subsequent lack of effective anti-metastatic therapies. Evidence from experimental studies and clinical trials has shown that aspirin reduces the incidence of distant metastases. It is well established that aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, triggering anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-metastatic effect of aspirin are still largely unknown. By using an experimental model of pulmonary metastasis, we have found that the anti-metastatic effect of aspirin is associated with the inhibition of COX-1. In support of this, metastasis establishment was impaired in COX-1 deficient mice, suggesting a pivotal role of this isoform in the metastatic process. Looking in more detail into the metastatic cascade, we found that COX-1 contributes to the intravascular phase of metastasis and promotes the early persistence of tumour cells in the lung vasculature. In particular, COX-1 inhibition decreased the interaction of platelets with tumour cells and was associated with the reduction of endothelial activation, of tumour cell adhesion to the endothelium, of recruitment of metastasis-promoting monocytes/macrophages and of transendothelial migration. We have identified platelet-derived thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) as the main product of COX-1 responsible for its permissive effect on metastasis. Indeed, TXA₂ delivered to mice in combination with aspirin was able to abrogate the anti-metastatic effect of aspirin. Taken together, our data suggest that the inhibition of COX-1:TXA₂ axis by aspirin is sufficient to exert an anti-metastatic effect. In particular, the inhibition of platelet-derived TXA₂ seems to affect multiple early steps of the haematogenous transit of tumour cells. In this perspective, TXA₂ might represent a more selective therapeutic target for the prevention of metastasis.

This thesis reports a study which explores the application of scaffolds in genre-informed approach to Second Language (L2) writing performance. Drawing on the genre-based pedagogy (Rose, 2010) and sociocultural perspective, it is argued that Hong Kong students with low English proficiency (LEP) would benefit on the writing performance from the application of genre-based scaffolds. Several principles from the research literature have been tried out in this study: designing high-support, genre- and move-specific scaffolding tasks through genre analysis, message amplification instead of message simplification, use of multiple resources including visuals, graphic organizers and L1 resources (Gibbons, 2009). / Specifically the study focuses on the evaluation of the application of scaffolds in genre-informed approach to second language (L2) writing performance as well as the design of scaffolds in genre-informed approach in the school-based teaching materials. / A case study approach was adopted in this study. An instructional programme with teaching materials designed with scaffolds in genre-informed approach was conducted in a Hong Kong secondary school which admits mostly low achieving students with low English proficiency. References were drawn from documents such as official English curriculum and assessment guidelines as well as from local English textbooks. The application of scaffolds in genre-informed approach to L2 writing was examined through students’ writing performance, students and teachers’ perceptions and change in affective outcomes towards the instructional programme as well as the design of scaffolds in the teaching materials. Data collection methods included both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data included different writing performance measures as well as responses to questionnaires, while the qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews with students and their English teachers. / The findings show that the application of scaffolds in genre-informed approach is positive, and students have some improvement on their writing performance. The findings also show that a high-support instructional programme and writing curriculum can help students with low English proficiency, and limited support and exposure to English to build confidence, skills, and genre-specific knowledge to cope with writing tasks in the English writing examinations by improving their writing performance. The implications of the study will be discussed with a view to developing localized genre-informed approach to students and teachers facing similar challenges in Chinese school contexts in Hong Kong. / 本教育課程教育博士論文旨在探討推行第二語言（L2）語體寫作教學法與運用鷹架作用之關係。借鑒於語體教學法 (Rose, 2010) 及相關之社會文化觀點，本研究個案認為在推行第二語言語體寫作教學法時若能同時運用鷹架作用 (Bruner, 1984)，能讓香港的低英語水平學生有效改善寫作表現。此外，本研究個案實踐並驗證了數項鷹架作用帶來的果效，透過分析語體，擴展學生的學習訊息以免造成過於疏漏，應用多樣化資源如視覺效果、圖像式思考輔助工具及第一語言資源等，來設計高度支援、具語體特性及文步的支架 (Gibbons, 2009)。 / 本論文之研究個案特別著重檢視語體寫作教學法與應用鷹架作用之關係，評估此教學法與鷹架作用能否有效提高低英語水平學生的第二語言寫作表現，以及其相關之課程教學材料的設計。 / 本論文研究採用個案研究方法。研究者設計了一個以語體寫作教學法與應用鷹架作用的教學方案，並於其中香港一所中學試行，對象均為低英語水平的學生。除以語體寫作教學法與應用鷹架作用為學術理論基礎外，試行的教學方案亦參考了相關的香港教育政策文件及教材。研究個案中為了檢討及驗證語體寫作教學法與鷹架作用的果效，利用了多項資料如學生的寫作成績及表現、學生和教師對教學計劃的觀感和課後轉變，以及在設計教材支架等作參考。數據收集方法包括質性數據和定量數據收集方法。定量數據包括採取不同的寫作表現評鑑指標，以及問卷回應，而定性數據則來自與學生和其英語老師的半結構式訪談內容。 / 研究調查結果顯示，應用於語體寫作教學法的鷹架支援具正面影響，而學生的寫作表現從而能得以改善。調查結果亦顯示，高支援的教學計劃和寫作課程能幫助一些英語水平低、欠缺英語學習支援與接觸英語機會少的學生。透過增強學生的信心、寫作技巧以及與語體相關知識，期盼學生能夠應付香港中學文憑考試的英語寫作考試卷。最後，為提升低英語水平學生的第二語言寫作表現，以及讓面對相類情況與困難的私立學校與教師另闢蹊徑，本教育課程教育博士論文討論並提倡應用發展一些具本土文化的語體寫作教學法與其鷹架作用。 / Cheung, Chui Ling. / Thesis Ed.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 374-409). / Abstracts also in Chinese; some appendixes includes Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 17, October, 2016). / Cheung, Chui Ling. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

En la presente investigación se estudian las propiedades, bioquímicas, biológicas, inmunológicas y moleculares de una isoforma básica de Fosfolipasa A2 presente en el veneno de la serpiente peruana Lachesis muta(PLA2básicaL.muta). La purificación se realizó mediante cromatografía de intercambio iónico, filtración y de alta performance; la enzima fue purificada 41,2 veces con un rendimiento de 64%. Se obtuvo una única banda proteica de 14,7 kDa por PAGE-SDS en condiciones reductoras y no reductoras, demostrando ser una proteína monomérica. Su pH óptimo es de 7,8 y es fuertemente inhibida por el PMSF, EDTA y glutatión. En cuanto a su acción biológica, se obtuvo la dosis hemolítica media (DH50) en 4,35µg, la dosis miotóxica mínima (DMM) en 18,96µg/ml y la dosis edemática mínima (DEM) 23,56μg. La enzima no mostró actividad hemorrágica ni acción anticoagulante. Adicionalmente las pruebas de inmunodifusión e inmunoelectroforesis revelaron que PLA2básicaL.muta es reconocida e inhibida parcialmente por el suero monovalente antilachésico (INSPerú). Empleando la metodología de RT-PCR se obtuvo la secuencia completa del cDNA de PLA2básicaL.muta, con 445 pb; análisis bioinformáticos indican que la secuencia posee un marco de lectura abierta de 414 nucleótidos que codifica un péptido señal de 16 aminoácidos y una proteína madura de 122 residuos, el peso molecular fue de 13,86 kDa y un pI de 8,316. La secuencia aminoacídica, contiene residuos conservados para el sitio catalítico, His48, Asp49, Tyr52 así como para unión al Ca+2, Tyr18, Gly30 y Gly32. El modelaje tridimensional de la PLA2, muestra que está formada por tres hélices-, una lámina- y un lazo de unión al Ca+2. PLA2básicaL.muta mostró alta homología estructural con otras sPLA2 de venenos de serpientes. Finalmente, los estudios revelan que la PLA2básicaL.muta pertenece al grupo sPLA2 [Asp49] básicas de bajo peso molecular. Este es el primer estudio que correlaciona la estructura y función de una enzima proveniente del veneno de una serpiente peruana. Palabras claves: Fosfolipasa A2, Isoenzima, Lachesis muta, sitio farmacológico, transcrito. / --- In the present research the biochemical, biological, immunological, as well as molecular properties of a basic isoform of Phospholipase A2 from venom of peruvian snake Lachesis muta (PLA2BasicL.muta), were studied. This enzyme was purified using ion exchange, filtration and high performance chromatographical steps, respectively. The enzyme was purified 41,2 times with a yield of 64%. SDA-PAGE analysis showed a unique protein band of 14,7 kDa under reducing and no reducing conditions indicating that the enzyme is a single polypeptide chain. Furthermore, the enzyme had a optimal pH of 7,8 and was inhibited by PMSF, EDTA and glutation. In relation to its biologic activity, a Medium Hemolytic Doses (DH50) of 4,35µg/tube, Minimum Miotoxic Doses (MMD) of 18,96µg/ml and the Minimum Edematic Doses (MED) of 91,5μg were obtained. For another hand, the PLA2 didn´t show either hemorrhagic or anticoagulant activities, and was recognized and partially inhibited by monovalent antilachesic serum (INS-Perú) by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. Using RT-PCR methodology and bioinformátics analysis the complete cDNA sequence of PLA2basicL.muta with 445 bp and an open reading frames of 414 nucleotides, were obtained, which encodes a peptide signal of 16 amino acids and a matured protein of 122 residues with 13, 86 kDa and a pI value of 8,3, calculated by in silico analysis. The amino acidic sequence contains conserved residues of His48, Asp49, Tyr52 in the catalytic site, as well as Tyr18, Gly30 y Gly32 in the Ca+2 -binding site. Three-dimensional model of PLA2basicL.muta showed that was conformed by three α-helix, one β-sheet and one Ca+2 -binding ribbon. PLA2basicL.muta shows a high structural homology with other snake venom phospholipases. Finally, studies reveal that PLA2basicL.muta belongs to the group of lower molecular weigh basic sPLA2 [asp49]. This work is the first study that correlate the structure and function of a Peruvian snake venom enzyme. Key words: Phospholipase A2, Isoenzyme, Lachesis muta, pharmacologic site, transcript. / Tesis