La protéolyse est une fonction clé de la cellule pour le maintien de l'intégrité du protéome, pour le métabolisme et pour la régulation de nombreux processus physiologiques. Le travail présenté dans cette thèse porte sur une famille de complexes peptidases cytosoliques auto-compartimentés et énergie indépendants découverts chez les Archées, les aminopeptidases TET. Chez l'Archée hyperthermophile Pyrococcus horikoshii, organisme modèle de cette étude, il existe 3 peptidases TET présentant chacune des spécificités de substrats différentes. Les caractérisations structurales des différents membres connus de cette famille de peptidases ont révélé un assemblage dodécamériques creux en forme de tétraèdre d'environ 450 kDa. Des études récentes ont montré l'existence de complexes adoptant la même conformation que les TET dans les 3 domaines du vivant. La première partie du travail présenté a permis d'identifier des marqueurs structuraux caractéristiques de l'assemblage tétraédrique afin de déterminer sans ambiguïté l'appartenance de ces complexes à la famille des TET. La seconde partie de l'étude a conduit à élucider la question de la multiplicité des TET chez les Archées hyperthermophile mise en évidence grâce à une étude phylogénétique initiée pendant la thèse. L'étude en co-expression de PhTET2 et PhTET3 révèle que ces aminopeptidases sont capable de former un hétéro-oligomère présentant une activité enzymatique accrue vis-à-vis des homo-oligomères. La dernière partie du travail porte sur les relations oligomérisation-fonction chez les peptidases TET. L'étude d'un mutant de l'oligomérisation de PhTET2 via une stratégie intégrative alliant biochimie, enzymologie, biophysique (SAXS et AUC) et des études in vivo a permis de mettre en évidence un processus d'assemblage contrôlé permettant d'augmenter l'efficacité de la peptidase. Enfin, la méthode de variation de contraste en diffusion de neutrons aux petits angles (SANS) appliqué à l'étude de l'hétéro-oligomère a permis de révéler une topologie rationalise du complexe hétéro-oligomérique favorisant la formations de poches multi-catalytique. L'ensemble de ce travail contribue à mieux comprendre l'importance et le rôle physiologique des machines TETs dans les cellules. / Proteolysis is a key function in the cell for the maintenance of the proteome integrity, the metabolism and for the regulation of many physiological processes. The thesis work is focused on a family of self-compartmentalized energy-independent cytosolic peptidases discovered in Archaea, the TET aminopeptidases. Three different TET showing contrasted enzymatic specificities co-exist in the cytosol of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii, which is the model organism for this study. The structural characterization of the known members of this family shows that they self-assemble in a unique 450 kDa hollow tetrahedral structure . Recent studies have revealed the existence of peptidases complexes that adopt the same conformation in the three domains of life. The first part of this work allowed identifying structural markers to assign without any ambiguity uncharacterized peptidases to the TET family. The second objective of the work was to understand the multiplicity of TET peptidases in hyperthermophilic archaeon that was highlighted by a phylogenomic study presented in this work . The co-expression of PhTET2 and PhTET3 in E. coli revealed that the two proteins form a hetero-oligomeric complex with enhanced enzymatic activity compared to the homo-oligomers. The last part of the work addressed the question of oligomerization-function relationship in TET particles. A mutagenesis strategy was used to slow down the oligomerization process of PhTET2, and, using an integrative strategy combining biochemistry, enzymology, biophysics (SAXS and AUC) and in vivo studies we were able to dissect the oligomerization pathway of the TET particles and to demonstrate that it is a highly controlled process aim to enhance the activity of the peptidases. Finally, the contrast variation technique in small angle neutron scattering studies (SANS) allowed us to unravel the rational topology of the TET hetero-oligomers that favored the formation of multi-catalytic enzymatic pockets in the complex. All theses studies contributed to specify the biological importance of the TET molecular machines in the cells.

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o uso do tratamento anaeróbio termofílico (55 graus Celsius) e mesofílico (35 graus Celsius) de vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar em um reator contendo biomassa imobilizada operado em bateladas seqüenciais (ASBBR). O reator foi preenchido com matrizes de espuma de poliuretano inoculado com lodo granular de um reator UASB que era operado a 35 graus Celsius e tratava água residuária de um abatedouro de aves. A agitação era promovida por agitador mecânico a 300 rpm. O tempo de ciclo do reator termofílico foi alterado nas diferentes fases operacionais em função das diferentes concentrações de vinhaça aplicadas, enquanto que o tempo de ciclo do reator mesofílico foi mantido em 24 horas. O monitoramento do reator foi feito determinando-se os teores de demanda química de oxigênio (DQO), acidez volátil total, alcalinidade a bicarbonato e valor do pH de amostras do afluente e efluente, bem como ao longo do ciclo. Foram efetuados também exames microscópicos para avaliar o desenvolvimento e alterações na composição da biomassa. Na fase de adaptação do lodo à temperatura termofílica, o reator foi alimentado com vinhaça com 0,3 a 1,0 gDQO/L, sendo que a biomassa do reator termofílico foi considerada adaptada 50 dias após a inoculação. O enriquecimento do reator mesofílico com biomassa metanogênica ocorreu em 21 dias. Nesse período, o reator foi alimentado com substrato à base de etanol (2,5 gDQO/L) e sais minerais. As cargas orgânicas aplicadas no reator termofílico foram 0,85, 2,54, 3,64, 4,49, 4,0, 5,7 e 5,24 gDQO/L.d e as eficiências médias de remoção de DQO foram de 43 \'+ OU -\' 7,9 %, 73 \'+ OU -\' 7,0 %, 68 \'+ OU -\' 19,2 %, 78 \'+ OU -\' 9,0 %, 55 \'+ OU -\' 10,0 %, 46 \'+ OU -\' 19,0 % e 75 \'+ OU -\' 7,5 %, respectivamente. O reator mesofílico foi submetido a cargas orgânicas de 2,85, 6,4, 7,9, 10,5, 22,2 e 36,0 gDQO/L.d com eficiências médias de remoção de 75 \'+ OU -\' 8,7 %, 76 \'+ OU -\' 9,6 %, 78 \'+ OU -\' 4,1 %, 78 \'+ OU -\' 7,7 %, 85 \'+ OU -\' 4,1 % e 79 \'+ OU -\' 2,1 %, respectivamente. Portanto, considerando-se a eficiência de remoção de DQO, o desempenho do ASBBR no tratamento de vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar foi superior quando operado sob temperatura mesofílica. Os exames microbiológicos permitiram constatar o predomínio de arquéias metanogênicas do gênero Methanosarcina e bacilos fluorescentes quando o reator foi operado a temperatura termofílica, enquanto que células semelhantes à arquéias do gênero Methanosaeta predominaram durante a operação a temperatura mesofílica. / In this work, the viability of the thermophilic (55 Celsius degrees) and mesophilic (35 Celsius degrees) anaerobic treatment of sugar cane vinasse in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass (ASBBR) was evaluated. The reactor was filled with polyurethane foam matrices inoculated with a granular sludge taken from an UASB reactor treating poultry slaughterhouse wastewater operating at 35 Celsius degrees. The mixing was provided by means of a mechanical mixer operated at 300 rpm. During the operation at thermophilic temperatures, the cycle time of the ASBBR was changed in the different operating phases according to the influent concentration. At the mesophilic temperatures, the reactor operated at a fixed cycle time of 24 hours. Monitoring analyses included the determinations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total volatile acids, bicarbonate alkalinity and pH of influent and effluent samples, and along the cycles. The microbial community development inside the reactor was monitored during all the experimental phases by means of microscopic observations. During the adaptation period, the biomass of the thermophilic reactor was fed with low concentration vinasse with 0.3 to 1.0 gCOD/L. The biomass was considered adapted to the thermophilic temperature after 50 days. The enrichment of the mesophilic reactor with methanogenic biomass lasted 21 days. In this period the reactor was fed with ethanol based substrate (2.5 gDQO/L) and minerals. The applied organic loads in the thermophilic reactor were 0.85, 2.16, 4.59, 3.95, 4.07, 6.0 and 5.24 gDQO/L.d reaching average removal efficiencies of 43 \'+ OU -\' 7.9%, 73 \'+ OU -\' 7.0%, 68 \'+ OU -\' 19.2%, 78 \'+ OU -\' 9.0%, 55 \'+ OU -\' 10.0%, 46 \'+ OU -\' 19.0% and 75 \'+ OU -\' 7.5%, respectively. The mesophilic reactor was able to accommodate organic loads of 2.85, 6.4, 7.9, 10.5, 22.2 and 36.0 gCOD/L.d with average removal efficiencies of 75 \'+ OU -\' 8.7%, 76 \'+ OU -\' 9.6%, 78 \'+ OU -\' 4.1%, 78 \'+ OU -\' 7.7%, 85 \'+ OU -\' 4.1% and 79 \'+ OU -\' 2.1%, respectively. Therefore, the treatment of sugar cane vinasse in the ASBBR under mesophlic temperatures performed better than at thermophilic conditions. The microbiological observations of biomass samples indicated that methanogenic Methanosarcina-like archaea and fluorescent rods predominated at thermophilic temperatures, whereas the Methanosaeta-like archaea predominated in the reactor under mesophilic temperatures.

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o uso do tratamento anaeróbio termofílico (55 graus Celsius) e mesofílico (35 graus Celsius) de vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar em um reator contendo biomassa imobilizada operado em bateladas seqüenciais (ASBBR). O reator foi preenchido com matrizes de espuma de poliuretano inoculado com lodo granular de um reator UASB que era operado a 35 graus Celsius e tratava água residuária de um abatedouro de aves. A agitação era promovida por agitador mecânico a 300 rpm. O tempo de ciclo do reator termofílico foi alterado nas diferentes fases operacionais em função das diferentes concentrações de vinhaça aplicadas, enquanto que o tempo de ciclo do reator mesofílico foi mantido em 24 horas. O monitoramento do reator foi feito determinando-se os teores de demanda química de oxigênio (DQO), acidez volátil total, alcalinidade a bicarbonato e valor do pH de amostras do afluente e efluente, bem como ao longo do ciclo. Foram efetuados também exames microscópicos para avaliar o desenvolvimento e alterações na composição da biomassa. Na fase de adaptação do lodo à temperatura termofílica, o reator foi alimentado com vinhaça com 0,3 a 1,0 gDQO/L, sendo que a biomassa do reator termofílico foi considerada adaptada 50 dias após a inoculação. O enriquecimento do reator mesofílico com biomassa metanogênica ocorreu em 21 dias. Nesse período, o reator foi alimentado com substrato à base de etanol (2,5 gDQO/L) e sais minerais. As cargas orgânicas aplicadas no reator termofílico foram 0,85, 2,54, 3,64, 4,49, 4,0, 5,7 e 5,24 gDQO/L.d e as eficiências médias de remoção de DQO foram de 43 \'+ OU -\' 7,9 %, 73 \'+ OU -\' 7,0 %, 68 \'+ OU -\' 19,2 %, 78 \'+ OU -\' 9,0 %, 55 \'+ OU -\' 10,0 %, 46 \'+ OU -\' 19,0 % e 75 \'+ OU -\' 7,5 %, respectivamente. O reator mesofílico foi submetido a cargas orgânicas de 2,85, 6,4, 7,9, 10,5, 22,2 e 36,0 gDQO/L.d com eficiências médias de remoção de 75 \'+ OU -\' 8,7 %, 76 \'+ OU -\' 9,6 %, 78 \'+ OU -\' 4,1 %, 78 \'+ OU -\' 7,7 %, 85 \'+ OU -\' 4,1 % e 79 \'+ OU -\' 2,1 %, respectivamente. Portanto, considerando-se a eficiência de remoção de DQO, o desempenho do ASBBR no tratamento de vinhaça de cana-de-açúcar foi superior quando operado sob temperatura mesofílica. Os exames microbiológicos permitiram constatar o predomínio de arquéias metanogênicas do gênero Methanosarcina e bacilos fluorescentes quando o reator foi operado a temperatura termofílica, enquanto que células semelhantes à arquéias do gênero Methanosaeta predominaram durante a operação a temperatura mesofílica. / In this work, the viability of the thermophilic (55 Celsius degrees) and mesophilic (35 Celsius degrees) anaerobic treatment of sugar cane vinasse in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass (ASBBR) was evaluated. The reactor was filled with polyurethane foam matrices inoculated with a granular sludge taken from an UASB reactor treating poultry slaughterhouse wastewater operating at 35 Celsius degrees. The mixing was provided by means of a mechanical mixer operated at 300 rpm. During the operation at thermophilic temperatures, the cycle time of the ASBBR was changed in the different operating phases according to the influent concentration. At the mesophilic temperatures, the reactor operated at a fixed cycle time of 24 hours. Monitoring analyses included the determinations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total volatile acids, bicarbonate alkalinity and pH of influent and effluent samples, and along the cycles. The microbial community development inside the reactor was monitored during all the experimental phases by means of microscopic observations. During the adaptation period, the biomass of the thermophilic reactor was fed with low concentration vinasse with 0.3 to 1.0 gCOD/L. The biomass was considered adapted to the thermophilic temperature after 50 days. The enrichment of the mesophilic reactor with methanogenic biomass lasted 21 days. In this period the reactor was fed with ethanol based substrate (2.5 gDQO/L) and minerals. The applied organic loads in the thermophilic reactor were 0.85, 2.16, 4.59, 3.95, 4.07, 6.0 and 5.24 gDQO/L.d reaching average removal efficiencies of 43 \'+ OU -\' 7.9%, 73 \'+ OU -\' 7.0%, 68 \'+ OU -\' 19.2%, 78 \'+ OU -\' 9.0%, 55 \'+ OU -\' 10.0%, 46 \'+ OU -\' 19.0% and 75 \'+ OU -\' 7.5%, respectively. The mesophilic reactor was able to accommodate organic loads of 2.85, 6.4, 7.9, 10.5, 22.2 and 36.0 gCOD/L.d with average removal efficiencies of 75 \'+ OU -\' 8.7%, 76 \'+ OU -\' 9.6%, 78 \'+ OU -\' 4.1%, 78 \'+ OU -\' 7.7%, 85 \'+ OU -\' 4.1% and 79 \'+ OU -\' 2.1%, respectively. Therefore, the treatment of sugar cane vinasse in the ASBBR under mesophlic temperatures performed better than at thermophilic conditions. The microbiological observations of biomass samples indicated that methanogenic Methanosarcina-like archaea and fluorescent rods predominated at thermophilic temperatures, whereas the Methanosaeta-like archaea predominated in the reactor under mesophilic temperatures.