The multiplication of new markers used for diagnosis addresses new challenges in routine medical practice. One outstanding question is; how can we profile tumor markers expression using a meaningful and practical method for clinical purposes? Over the last 6 years, the microarray technology made a significant contribution to our understanding of many medical conditions. Benefiting from EAT’s expertise, we decided to design two cutting edge low density microarrays tools to study on one hand, ATP-binding cassette genes-mediated chemotherapy resistance and on the other hand, to characterize subtypes of Small B-Cell non-Hodgkin Lymphomas. The microarray (DualChip human ABC) specificity and the reproducibility of our results were tested first by comparison of ABC gene expression in three drug-resistant sublines and their respective drugsensitive counterparts. The results that we obtained were in accordance with ABC-transporters expression previously described for these cell lines using different methods. Interestingly, we were able to report a larger diversity of ABC-transporter expression than previously established with classical molecular biology screens. To further validate the relevance of this approach for diagnostic purposes, we profiled the expression of ABC genes in clinical samples of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, T-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia from pediatric patients, and drug treated/untreated samples of mamma carcinoma biopsies. By doing so, we characterized the expression of new ABC transporters in pediatric leukemia and observed enrichment for ABC-transporters in breast cancers even prior drug treatment. In the second part of this work our microarray-based strategy was applied to diagnostic procedures in order discriminate between four different forms of small B cell non Hodgkin lymphomas. We applied gene expression profiling to RNA samples obtained from 71 patients. Through a supervised comparison of the various expression patterns, we isolated a group of genes that can be used to discriminate 75% of the patients investigated. As a conclusion, using a variety of cell lines and tumor samples we demonstrated that low-density microarrays can be used for molecular diagnosis in many meaningful ways including tumor classification and drug resistance profiling. <br /><br /> La diversité des marqueurs utilisés pour le diagnostic est un nouveau défi dans la pratique médicale quotidienne. Une question se pose donc; comment pouvons-nous déterminer le profil d’expression génique d’une tumeur en utilisant une approche efficace et pratique à des buts cliniques ? Au cours de ces 6 dernières années, les damiers à ADN ont contribué de façon significative à l’amélioration des connaissances dans de nombreux domaines de la recherche biomédicale. Bénéficiant de l’expertise de la société EAT, nous avons développé deux damiers à ADN de faible densité permettant d’une part, l’étude de la résistance à la chimiothérapie induite par les ABC transporteurs, et d’autre part, d’évaluer l’intérêt de ce genre d’outil pour le diagnostique clinique des lymphomes non Hodgkiniens à petites cellules B. Dans un premier temps, nous avons évalué la spécificité et la reproductibilité du damier DualChip human ABC. Pour cela, nous avons comparé le profil d'expression génique de trois lignées cellulaires résistantes à une drogue donnée avec le profil d’expression génique de leur lignée parentale sensible à cette drogue. Les résultats que nous avons obtenus étaient en accord avec ceux préalablement décrits. En outre, nous avons détecté un profil expression d’un plus grand nombre de gènes ABC transporteurs que celui établi précédemment à partir de techniques conventionnelles. Afin d’étudier davantage l’intérêt de cet outil dans le domaine diagnostique, nous avons étudié le profil d’expression des gènes ABC dans des échantillons cliniques de leucémie myéloïde aiguë, leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë de type T chez l’enfant et de carcinomes mammaires provenant de patients adultes traités et non traités. Nous avons ainsi pu mettre en évidence l’expression de nouveaux gènes ABC transporteurs dans les leucémies de l’enfant. Nous avons également observé un niveau d’expression élevé de nombreux gènes ABC transporteurs tant dans les tumeurs mammaires traitées que non traitées. Dans la seconde partie de ce travail, nous avons évalué le potentiel des damiers à ADN de faible densité dans le diagnostic de 4 sous-types de lymphomes non Hodgkiniens à petites cellules B. Nous avons étudié le profil d’expression génique d’échantillons provenant de 71 patients. Une analyse supervisée à partir du profil d’expression de tous les gènes étudiés a ensuite été entreprise. Cette étude a permis de mettre en évidence un groupe de gènes permettant de différencier 75% des patients investigués. L’ensemble de nos résultats a démontré que le damier à ADN de faible densité est un outil prometteur pour le diagnostic moléculaire dans des domaines variés incluant la classification des tumeurs et la détection de la résistance aux drogues.

Mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR) cause cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common life-shortening genetic disease among Caucasians. Although general features of the structure of CFTR have been predicted from homology models, the conformational changes that result in channel opening and closing have yet to be resolved. We created new closed- and open-state homology models of CFTR, and performed targeted molecular dynamics simulations of the conformational transitions in a channel opening event. The simulations predict a conformational wave that starts at the nucleotide binding domains and ends with the formation of an open conduction pathway. Experimentally confirmed changes in side-chain interactions are observed in all major domains of the protein. We also identified unique-to-CFTR substitutions that may have led to channel activity in CFTR. Molecular modeling and simulations are used to compare the effects of these substitutions against a canonical ABC transporter, and suggest that gain of channel function in CFTR may have risen from loss of ATPase function at its NBDs. The models and simulation add to our understanding of the mechanism of ATP-dependent gating in this disease-relevant ion channel.

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, ABCA1, plays a pivotal role in reverse cholesterol transport, which is the elimination of excess sterols from peripheral cells and their transport to the liver for elimination. Early studies failed to detect significant ATPase activity, prompting the suggestion that ABCA1 was an ATP-regulated receptor, rather than an active transporter. We have provided evidence that ABCA1 can bind ATP and trap its hydrolysis product, ADP, in the presence of either ortho-vanadate or beryllium fluoride and Mg2+ or Mn2+. We have also shown that both nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) trap nucleotide comparably, suggesting that ABCA1 is a functional ATPase. In addition, we have shown that ABCA1 can directly transport 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC) in an ATP-dependent manner using a membrane vesicle uptake assay, and can do so when the physiological substrate acceptor apoA-I is replaced with BSA as a non-specific binding protein. Although more than 50 naturally occurring missense mutations and polymorphisms in ABCA1 have been identified in individuals with HDL-C levels within the lowest 5th percentile of the general population, the extent to which many of these mutations affect ABCA1 function is not known and cannot be predicted. Naturally occurring extracellular loop (ECL) mutations W590S and C1477R have both been shown to effectively eliminate the ability to mediate lipid efflux, despite the fact that the W590S mutant protein retains the ability to bind apoA-I. We show that neither mutant can transport nor efflux 25-OHC, whether in the presence of apoA-I or BSA, despite apparently full retention of the ability to bind and trap nucleotide. This suggests that these two ECL mutations inhibit transport by a mechanism that is independent of their effect on apoA-I binding. By introduction of naturally occurring mutations in the NBDs, we show that although some mutations associated with Tangier Disease, such as N935S, essentially eliminate nucleotide trapping and substrate translocation, other polymorphisms such as L1026P and T2073A associated with low HDL-C, appear to be fully functional. Lastly, we observed differences in the behaviour of both wild-type and mutant forms of ABCA1-GFP depending on whether they were expressed in insect or mammalian cell lines. / Thesis (Ph.D, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2010-02-12 11:14:11.381

The aims of this thesis were to study the in vivo relevance of membrane transporters for intestinal absorption and the hepatic disposition of drugs in humans and preclinical models. Fexofenadine is a substrate for ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and members of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP/SLCO) family. It is marginally metabolised in humans. The influence of known inhibitors of ABCB1 and OATPs on the membrane transport and pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine was investigated in Caco-2 and porcine models and in humans. The permeability of fexofenadine remained low, even when significantly altered by the addition of an inhibitor. Using the Loc-I-Gut® technique in vivo in humans, it was possible to see that the jejunal effective permeability of fexofenadine was unchanged when given with verapamil. However, the systemic exposure and apparent absorption rate of fexofenadine increased. This suggests that the first-pass liver extraction of fexofenadine was reduced by verapamil, probably through the inhibition of sinusoidal OATP-mediated and/or canalicular ABCB1-mediated secretion. The unchanged permeability can be explained by simultaneous inhibition of jejunal apical OATP-uptake and ABCB1-efflux, which would leave fexofenadine to be transported by passive trancellular diffusion. A Loc-I-Gut® perfusion in the porcine model enabling blood sampling in the portal and hepatic veins and bile collection revealed increased jejunal permeability, but no subsequent verapamil-induced elevation in the systemic exposure of fexofenadine. This indicates a species-related difference in the localisation of and/or the substrate specificity of fexofenadine for the transporters involved. The absence of an effect on the first-pass liver extraction in the porcine model might be caused by the observed lower liver exposure of verapamil. Finally, a novel intubation technique enabling dosing of fexofenadine in the jejunum, ileum and the colon showed that fexofenadine was absorbed less along the length the intestine in agreement with the properties of a low permeability drug.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [100]-113).

La résistance des cellules cancéreuses à la chimiothérapie est une cause majeure de l’échec thérapeutique. Des études suggèrent qu’une adaptation du métabolisme énergétique pourrait jouer un rôle dans cette résistance. Ce travail de thèse montre que la résistance des cellules cancéreuses mammaires MCF-7dox à la doxorubicine est associée à une diminution de l’activité du complexe I de la chaîne respiratoire mitochondriale et à un métabolisme des cardiolipines (CL) particulier (diminution de la quantité de CL et augmentation de la quantité de MLCL, la forme immature des CL). Nos résultats montrent aussi que les mitochondries des cellules MCF-7dox expriment deux pompes d’efflux ATP-dépendantes (BCRP et MRP1) qui participent à limiter la quantité de doxorubicine accumulée dans ces mitochondries. De plus, l’activité de ces deux transporteurs dépend partiellement de l’ATP mitochondrial dont l’efficacité de synthèse est améliorée dans les cellules MCF-7dox. D’autre part, nous montrons que l’effet sensibilisant du DHA à la doxorubicine dans les cellules MCF-7dox implique un stress oxydant mitochondrial et s’accompagne d’une diminution de l’efficacité de la synthèse d’ATP. / Resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy is a major cause of treatment failure. Studies have suggested that an adaptation of energy metabolism may play a role in the development of this resistance. The present work shows that resistance of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7dox to doxorubicin is associated with decreased activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I and particularly altered cardiolipin (CL) metabolism, (decreased CL levels and increased MLCL levels, the immature form of the CL). Our results also show that mitochondria from MCF-7dox cells express two ATP-dependent efflux pumps (BCRP and MRP1) limiting the accumulation of doxorubicin in these mitochondria. In addition, the activity of these two transporters is partially dependent on mitochondrial ATP synthesis which efficiency is improved in MCF-7dox cells. Moreover, we show that the sensitizing effect of DHA to doxorubicin in MCF-7dox cells is regulated by mitochondrial oxidative stress and is accompanied by a decrease in ATP synthesis efficiency.

Orientador: Andréa Balan Fernandes / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T16:02:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pegos_VanessaRodrigues_M.pdf: 19133775 bytes, checksum: abcda42c9097c7e59ea61175934c2304 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A captação de sulfato em Escherichia coli é dependente do transportador do tipo ABC (do inglês, ATP Binding Cassete), SbpCysAWD, pertencente a um regulon que envolve 26 genes. Na ausência de sulfato, a bactéria induz a expressão de dois outros transportadores ABC, o de proteínas do sistema de transporte de alcanosulfonatos (SsuABCDE) e de sulfonatos alifáticos (TauABCDE), que são responsáveis pela captação, incorporação e oxidação destes compostos a sulfito e aldeído. Embora não comprovado funcionalmente, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri apresenta todos os genes envolvidos neste regulon e, neste trabalho, dando continuidade à caracterização do transportador SsuABCDE, foi realizada pela primeira vez, a caracterização estrutural e funcional das enzimas SsuD e SsuE. Análises bioquímicas associadas às análises de bioinformática e modelagem molecular, revelaram que as enzimas SsuD e SsuE constituem um sistema de dois componentes, no qual a SsuD seria a óxido-redutase responsável pela oxidação do NAD(P)H, seguida da redução da FMN. A proteína foi expressa e purificada a partir de células de E. coli com massa molecular de 39 kDa, e se organiza na forma de um octâmero, conforme demonstrado por experimentos de espalhamento de raios X a baixo ângulo e ultra-centrifugação. O modelo da estrutura tridimensional da SsuD revela uma proteína com enovelamento barril-TIM, com conservação de resíduos que permitem a oligomerização e a interação com NAD(P)H, mas não com flavina. Ensaios enzimáticos mostraram que a SsuD liga NADP(Pbp) com alta afinidade (0,21 µM) e é capaz de oxidá-lo conforme os parâmetros cinéticos de Km: 0.1877 µM -1; Kcat: 7,192 s-1; Vmáx: 0.7911 µM/min; Kcat/Km: 3,8 x 107 m-1S-1. Ainda, foram obtidos cristais da SsuD em diferentes condições as quais estão em fase de refinamento. As análises de bioinformática da SsuE sugerem que ela seja a óxido-redutase do sistema. O trabalho ainda mostra a caracterização da proteína Pbp de X. axonopodis, do suposto sistema de transporte de fosfonatos. A Pbp foi expressa com massa molecular de 33 kDa, e as análises espectroscópicas revelaram alterações conformacionais na estrutura secundária na presença de fosfonatos e fosfato, bem como aumentada estabilidade térmica na presença de espermidina, usada nos ensaios de cristalização. Cristais foram obtidos em diferentes condições e devem ser usados para os testes de difração. Os resultados apresentados neste trabalho revelam dados de proteínas e sistemas de X. axonopodis ainda não estudados e serão importantes para direcionar futuros estudos sobre a função destas na bactéria, tanto em condições laboratoriais, como em testes in vivo, durante infecção na planta / Abstract: Sulfur uptake in Escherichia coli is dependent of the ABC transporter SbpCysAWD (ATP Binding Cassete), which belongs to a regulon with 26 genes. In the sulfate absence, the bacteria induces the expression of two other ABC transporters, for alkanesulfonates (SsuABCDE) and aliphatic sulfonates (TauABCDE), which are responsible for the uptake and oxidation of these compounds to sulfite and aldehyde. Although its functionality has been not showed, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri has all the genes involved in this regulon, including the alkanesulfonate transporter and enzymes. In order to continue the characterization of this transport, this work shows for the first time, the structural and functional characterization of the proteins SsuD and SsuE. Biochemical analyses associated to the bioinformatics and molecular modeling tools revealed that the SsuD and SsuE form a two-components system, where SsuD is the oxidoreductase responsible for the NAD(P)H oxidation followed by the FMN reduction. The protein was expressed and purified from E. coli cells with a molecular mass of the 39 kDa and it is organized in a octamer, such was demonstrated by the small angle scattering X-ray and ultracentrifugation assays. The tri-dimensional model of SsuD reveals a TIM barrel folding and conservation of residues that allow the oligomerization and NADP interaction. Enzymatic assays showed a high affinity binding of SsuD and NADP (0,21 µM) and that the protein was able to obtain the cinetic parameters, such as Km: 0.1877µM -1; Kcat: 7,192 s-1; Vmáx: 0.7911 µM/min; Kcat/Km: 3,8x 10-7 m 1S-1. Indeed, SsuD crystals were obtained in different conditions. The work still shows the charactrization of the Pbp protein, from X. axonopodis, believed to be the fosfonate/fosfate binding protein. Pbp was expressed with a molecular mass of 33 kDa, and spectroscopic analyses revealed conformational changes at the secondary structure content in presence of fosfonates, as well as an increased thermal stability in presence of spermidine, which was used for the crystallization trials. Crystals were obtained but still not tested. All results presented in this work can bring some light to the strategies that X. axonopodis uses for growth and infection and they will direct our studies for laboratorial and in vivo analyses / Mestrado / Genetica de Microorganismos / Mestre em Genética e Biologia Molecular

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Human BCRP is one of the major ATP-binding cassette transporters involved in the development of multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. Overexpression of BCRP in the tumor cell plasma membrane and apical membrane of the gastrointestinal tract leads to decreased intracellular accumulation of various anticancer drugs as well as reduced drug bioavailability. BCRP has been shown to exist on the plasma membrane as higher forms of homo-oligomers. In addition, the oligomerization domain of BCRP has been mapped to the carboxyl-terminal TM5-ECL3-TM6 and this truncated domain, when co-expressed with the full-length BCRP, displays a dominant inhibitory activity on BCRP function. Thus, the oligomerization of BCRP could be a promising target in reversing multidrug resistance mediated by BCRP. To further dissect the oligomerization domains of human BCRP and test the hypothesis that TM5, ECL3, and TM6 each plays a role in BCRP oligomerization and function, we engineered a series of BCRP domain-swapping constructs with alterations at TM5-ECL3-TM6 and further generated HEK293 cells stably expressing wild-type or each domain-swapping construct of BCRP. Using co-immunoprecipitation and chemical cross-linking, we found that TM5, ECL3, and TM6 all appear to partially contribute to BCRP oligomerization, which are responsible for the formation of oligomeric BCRP. However, only TM5 appears to be a major contributor to the transport activity and drug resistance mediated by BCRP, while ECL3 or TM6 is insufficient for BCRP functions. Taken together, these findings suggest that homo-oligomeric human BCRP may be formed by the interactions among TM5, ECL3 and TM6, and TM5 is a crucial domain for BCRP functions and BCRP-mediated drug resistance. These findings may further be used to explore targets for therapeutic development to reverse BCRP-mediated drug resistance and increase the bioavailability of anti-cancer drugs for better treatment of multidrug resistant cancers.

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