Thesis (Ph.D. in Molecular Biology) -- University of Colorado, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-113). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Typescript. Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 258 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

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The human erythrocyte glucose transport protein (GLUT1) interacts with, and is regulated by, cytosolic ATP. This study asks the following questions concerning ATP modulation of GLUT1 mediated sugar transport. 1) Which region(s) of GLUT1 form the adenine nucleotide-binding domain? 2) What factors influence ATP modulation of sugar transport? 3) Is ATP interaction with GLUT1 sufficient for sugar transport regulation? The first question was addressed through peptide mapping, n-terminal sequencing, and alanine scanning mutagenesis of GLUT1 using [32P]-azidoATP, a photoactivatable ATP analog. We then used a combination of transport measurements and photolabeling strategies to examine how glycolytic intermediates, pH, and transporter oligomeric structure affect ATP regulation of sugar transport. Finally, GLUT1 was reconstituted into proteoliposomes to determine whether ATP is sufficient for the modulation of GLUT1 function in-vitro. This thesis presents data supporting the hypothesis that residues 332-335 contribute to the efficiency of adenine nucleotide binding to GLUT1. In addition, we show that AMP, acidification, and conversion of the transporter to its dimeric form antagonize ATP regulation of sugar transport. Finally, we present results that support the proposal that ATP interaction with GLUT1 is sufficient for transport modulation.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Biotechnology) / Brassica napus is a plant that is used for human and animal consumption. This plant is also used for phytoremediation due to its relatively higher level of heavy metal tolerance. In South Africa, mining is one of the main drivers of the economy. One of the major negative environmental impacts of mining is heavy metal contamination. Soil metal content can rise to levels that are quite high and can even have a negative impact on the yields of B. napus crop. The glucosinolate-myrosinase system of B. napus is a system that is used as defence against biotic stressors. Indole glucosinolate breakdown products have been proven to enhance the antioxidant capacity of plants. Some have also shown growth promoting properties in plants. We studied the effect of exogenous DIM on B. napus and it role in Zr induced heavy metal stress. Germination percentages revealed that DIM increased germination, Zr application decreased germination and the DIMZr treatment reversed the negative impact of Zr application on B. napus. The effect of treatments on the biomass of B. napus was assessed by determining the dry weights. Results show that exogenous DIM improves biomass. Zr application decreased biomass and DIM-Zr treatment ameliorated the effect of Zr application. / 2020-08-31

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Medical BioSciences) / Central nervous system (CNS) infections are a therapeutic challenge. This is partly due to insufficient drug penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized, highly selective, metabolically active physiological barrier that regulates the movement of molecules into-and-out of the brain. As a result, large hydrophilic antibiotics such as colistin poorly penetrate to the CNS. Colistin is an old 'last line of defence'; a gram-negative antibiotic that has seen its clinical re-emergence due to the surge of multidrug resistance (MDR) infections. However, owing to systemic toxicity, increasing the intravenous dosage, in order to obtain higher CNS penetration, is inimical. Chitosan (CS) based nanoparticles (NPs) have been proposed as drug delivery systems across the BBB. CS is a cationic, natural polysaccharide that has the ability to be complexed with multivalent polymers like dextran (DS) thus forming CS-DS NPs. Naturally, CS has remarkable inherent features such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, ability to encapsulate poorly soluble drugs and it is favourable for endothelial cell uptake. However, polymeric NPs (even those derived from natural polysaccharides) have limited use due to toxicity. Considering the vital role of the BBB, toxicity would denote dire effects on CNS functioning. Therefore, treatment of CNS infections fringes on a deeper understanding of the interactions between drug delivery systems and the BBB.

Orientador: Marta Cristina Teixeira Duarte / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T04:57:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Matsumura_LauraYumeRodrigues_M.pdf: 1312693 bytes, checksum: 7afc440e71f8e63ffdb4e0f57d78115f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: As leveduras causam deterioração de uma grande variedade de produtos alimentícios e nas indústrias de bebidas, além de serem resistentes a muito conservantes químicos. Os óleos essenciais e extratos de plantas têm surgido como alternativas seguras para substituir conservantes sintéticos. Contudo, os mecanismos de ação de óleos essenciais sobre micro-organismos são complexos e não estão completamente elucidados. Neste trabalho, foi investigada a ação de 14 óleos essenciais e 2 extratos diclorometânicos provenientes de plantas medicinais e aromáticas pertencentes à CPMA (Coleção de Plantas Medicinais e Aromáticas) do CPQBA/UNICAMP sobre leveduras do gênero Candida e sobre Pichia guilliermondii de importância em alimentos. Foi determinada a concentração mínima inibitória (MIC) e os efeitos sobre a lise da membrana celular, sobre os carboidratos de reserva trealose e glicogênio, sobre a depleção de ATP e sobre a biossíntese de ergosterol. Os resultados demonstraram que o óleo essencial de Cinnamomum burmanni foi o que apresentou melhor potencial para controle das leveduras, sendo o cinamaldeído e o acetato de cinamila os compostos majoritários presentes neste óleo. A investigação dos possíveis mecanismos de ação do óleo essencial de C. burmanni sobre Candida albicans ATCC 10231 demonstrou que este afetou a viabilidade da levedura a partir da concentração de 0,5 mg/mL (5MIC), e ocasionou a lise da membrana celular, havendo liberação de proteínas e lipídios para o meio extracelular, além de depleção de ATP. No caso dos carboidratos de reserva, os resultados demonstraram que o óleo essencial de C. burmanni ocasionou acúmulo de trealose, possivelmente pelo estresse ocasionado às células. Nenhum efeito foi observado sobre a reserva de glicogênio e sobre a inibição da síntese de ergosterol. Os resultados indicam a ação inibitória do óleo essencial de C. burmanni e mostram que este apresenta potencial para controle de leveduras de importância em alimentos / Abstract: Yeasts cause deterioration of a wide variety of food and drink industries, besides being very resistant to chemical preservatives. Essential oils and plant extracts have emerged as safe alternatives to synthetic preservatives. However, the mechanisms of action of essential oils on microorganisms are complex and not fully elucidated. In this work, was investigated the action of 14 essential oils and 2 dichloromethane extracts from medicinal and aromatic plants belonging to the Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - CPMA at CPQBA/ UNICAMP on Candida species and Pichia guilliermondii of importance in foods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined and the effects of the essential oil on the cell membrane lysis, the carbohydrate reserves trehalose and glycogen, depletion of ATP and ergosterol biosynthesis were evaluated. The results showed that the essential oil from Cinnamomum burmanni presented the best potential to control the Candida spp. being the cinnamaldehyde and cinnamyl acetate the major compounds present in this oil. The investigation of the possible mechanisms of action of the C. burmanni essential oil on Candida albicans ATCC 10231 showed that the oil affected the viability of the yeast from 0.5 mg/mL (5MIC), and caused lysis of the cell membrane, with release of proteins and lipids into the extracellular environment, as well as ATP depletion. In the case of carbohydrate reserves, the results showed that the essential oil of C. burmanni caused accumulation of trehalose, possibly due to the cellular stress. No effect was observed on the synthesis of glycogen and ergosterol. The results indicate the inhibitory action of the essential oil from C. burmanni and show its potential to control yeasts of importance in foods / Mestrado / Ciência de Alimentos / Mestra em Ciência de Alimentos

Orientador: Alberto Vazquez Saa / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Matemática, Estatística e Computação Científica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T14:37:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Siqueira_KellenManoela_M.pdf: 18530292 bytes, checksum: b14fcd17f860e0698970af4213e1e126 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O ATP (adenosina tri-fosfato) é uma molécula chave para a fisiologia, atuando como fonte de energia para diversos processos celulares. ...Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: ATP (adenosine triphosphate acts as an "energy currency" providing energy to several physiological processes. ...Note: The complete abstract is available with the full electronic document / Mestrado / Matematica Aplicada / Mestre em Matemática Aplicada

Malaria, caused by an intracellular Plasmodium parasite, remains a devastating disease, having claimed approximately 655 000 lives worldwide in 2010. The Medicines for Malaria Venture suggests a "single-dose radical cure" as the ideal malaria treatment since rapid clearance of blood-stage parasites and symptom relief improves patient compliance and limits drug resistance. Thus, novel antimalarials should be rapid-acting and assessing their rate of activity is critical to drug discovery. Traditional evaluation of this rate by morphological assessments is flawed by highly subjective, operator-specific interpretations, mainly due to heterogeneous parasite morphology under routine culture conditions. This study aimed to develop an alternative, quantitative assay. Energy is vital for the growth and maintenance of all living organisms. Commercially available kits allow rapid quantification of the cell's energy currency, ATP. Therefore, quantification of parasite ATP shows potential for diagnosing abnormal parasite metabolism and the kinetics of drug action. In this study, a rapid protocol for detecting ATP in Plasmodium falciparum parasites using a luminescence-based kit was developed and optimised. Furthermore, luciferase-expressing transgenic parasites, in which luciferase activity is detected using a similar kit, were acquired. The utility of both methods for evaluating the rate of drug-induced stress was explored using antimalarials with varying modes of action and, presumably, rates of activity. Results showed that parasite ATP remained unchanged, increased or decreased during drug exposure. Morphological examinations by light microscopy and a Recovery assay, aided interpretation of the drug-induced changes in parasite ATP. These investigations suggested that unchanged parasite ATP levels reflect poor drug action, increased ATP levels indicate a stress response and partially compromised viability, while significantly reduced ATP reflects severely compromised viability. Concerning the Luciferase assay, parasite luciferase activity decreased during drug exposure, even in the presence of proteasome inhibitors. Changes in parasite ATP and luciferase activity occurred at rates which suggested that chloroquine is slow-acting, mefloquine has a moderate rate of activity and artemisinin is rapid-acting. These findings are compatible with the expected rates of activity of these established antimalarials. Hence, measurement of parasite ATP and/or luciferase activity may support assessments of parasite health and the kinetics of antimalarial action during drug discovery

This thesis examines the hypothesis that human erythrocyte net sugar transport is the sum of two serial processes: sugar translocation followed by interaction of newly imported sugar with an intracellular binding complex from which sugar dissociates into the bulk cytosol. This hypothesis suggests that steady-state transport measurements in the human erythrocyte do not accurately reflect the intrinsic catalytic features of the glucose transporter and unless correctly interpreted, may lead to apparent inconsistencies in the operational behavior of the human erythrocyte sugar transport system. Our results support this proposal by demonstrating that although sugar transport measurements in human red blood cells suggest that transport is catalytically asymmetric, ligand binding measurements indicate that transport must be symmetric. In order to examine the serial compartments hypothesis, we set out to determine the following: 1) identify the component(s) of the proposed sugar binding complex, 2) determine whether cytosolic ATP levels and transporter quaternary structure affect sugar binding to the sugar binding complex, and 3) determine whether the sugar binding site(s) are located within or outside the cell. We present findings which support the hypothesis that the sugar binding complex is in fact the sugar transport protein, GLUT1. The number of sugar binding sites and the release of sugar from the GLUT1 complex are regulated by ATP and by GLUT1 quaternary structure. The sugar binding sites are located on a cytoplasmic domain of the GLUT1 complex. We show how these observations can account for the apparent complexity of erythrocyte sugar transport and its regulation by ATP.