Muitos estudos demonstram que a abertura de canais de K+ mitocondriais sensíveis à ATP (mitoKATP) previnem contra danos promovidos por isquemia/reperfusão em coração. Em geral, esta proteção envolve mudanças no estado redox mitocondrial. Em cérebro, sabe-se que agonistas farmacológicos de mitoKATP também protegem em modelo de isquemia/reperfusão. Entretanto, os mecanismos envolvidos na prevenção de danos em cérebro ainda não estão claros. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é compreender os efeitos de canais de K+ mitocondriais ATP-sensíveis em tecido cerebral e os mecanismos pelos quais a sua ativação pode proteger contra danos promovidos por excitotoxicidade, uma das principais conseqüências de um evento isquêmico em cérebro. Neste contexto, demonstramos a proteção pelo mitoKATP em modelo de excitotoxicidade induzida pela ativação direta de receptores NMDA, utilizando cultura de células granulosas de cerebelo. Paralelamente a essa proteção, verificamos que a ativação de mitoKATP reduz a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS). Em mitocôndrias isoladas, observamos que ROS geradas pela mitocôndria ativam mitoKATP cerebral, resultando em um aumento da captação de K+ para a matriz, medida através da técnica de inchamento mitocondrial. Em condições de baixa geração de ROS, a adição de H2O2 exógeno ativa o inchamento mitocondrial em resposta à entrada de K+ de modo prevenido por catalase, assim, confirmando que a atividade desses canais é redox-sensível. A ativação de mitoKATP por agonistas farmacológicos, como diazóxido, também é maior na presença de alta geração de ROS, conforme indicado por uma leve diminuição no potencial de membrana mitocondrial. Interessantemente, a adição de um redutor tiólico, 2-mercaptopropionilglicina (MPG) previne a ativação de mitoKATP. A ativação de mitoKATP não alterou a capacidade de captar Ca2+ pela mitocôndria, demonstrando que este não é o mecanismo pelo qual esses canais previnem morte celular excitotóxica. Não foram observados efeitos desses canais em modelo de excitotoxicidade in vivo e em modelo de doença neurodegenerativa, acidose metilmalônica. Juntos, nossos resultados demonstram que mitoKATP cerebrais agem como sensores de ROS mitocondrial, que quando ativados reduzem a liberação de ROS por um leve desacoplamento, prevenindo morte neuronal por excitotoxicidade NMDA-induzida / Several studies have shown that mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channel (mitoKATP) opening prevents ischemia/reperfusion injuries in heart, in a manner involving changes in redox state. In brain, mitoKATP agonists also protect against ischemia/reperfusion. However, the exactly mechanism that mitoKATP protects the brain is still unclear. The purpose of this work is to understand the effects of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channels in brain and how this channel can protect against excitotoxic cell death, the main consequence of a cerebral ischemia. In this context, we demonstrate that mitoKATP protects against excitotoxicity promoted by NMDA receptor activation in cultured cerebellar granule cells. In paralell, we verified that mitoKATP activation also decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS). In isolated mitochondria, we observed that mitochondrially-generated ROS can activate brain mitoKATP, resulting in enhanced K+ uptake into the matrix, measured as swelling of the organelle. Under conditions in which mitochondrial ROS release is low, exogenous H2O2 activated swelling secondary to K+ entrance, in a manner prevented by catalase, confirming that the activity of this channel is redox-sensitive. Activation of mitoKATP channels by the pharmacological agonist diazoxide was also improved when endogenous mitochondrial ROS release was enhanced, as indicated by mild decreases in mitochondrial membrane potentials. Interessantly, mitoKATP activation was preveted by the thiol reductant 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG). Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was not modified by opening mitoKATP, suggesting that this is not the mechanism through which this channel prevents excitotoxic cell death. In an in vivo excitotoxicity model and also neurodegenerative disease model, methylmalonic acidemia, the effects of mitoKATP agonists were not observed. Together, our results demonstrate that brain mitoKATP acts as a mitochondrial ROS sensor, which, when activated, prevents ROS release by mildly uncoupling respiration from oxidative phosphorylation, decreasing excitotoxic cell death

Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) alteram o metabolismo de lípides e, em especial, o efluxo de colesterol de macrófagos, por meio da redução dos receptores ABCA-1 e ABCG-1. Isto prejudica o transporte reverso de colesterol, sistema que favorece o fluxo de colesterol de macrófagos arteriais ao fígado, permitindo sua excreção na bile e eliminação fecal. Óxidos de colesterol modulam favoravelmente a homeostase lipídica em macrófagos e favorecem o transporte reverso de colesterol, embora o acúmulo de 7-cetocolesterol, 7-hidroxicolesterol e 7-hidroxicolesterol associe-se à aterogênese e morte celular. Neste estudo, avaliou-se o efeito do tratamento com glicolaldeído (GAD; oxoaldeído que induz rápida geração intracelular de AGE), em macrófagos sobrecarregados com LDL oxidada e incubados com HDL ou HDL e indutor de LXR (T0901317) sobre: 1) a distribuição seletiva de óxidos de colesterol e o conteúdo total de esteróis intracelulares e 2) o conteúdo de ABCA-1 e ABCG-1. Colesterol total e os diversos subtipos de óxidos de colesterol foram determinados por cromatografia a gás acoplada à espectrômetro de massa. O conteúdo dos receptores de HDL (ABCA-1 e ABCG-1) foi avaliado por imunoblot. Em macrófagos controles (C), a adição de HDL ou HDL + T0901317 promoveu redução no conteúdo de esteróis totais (colesterol + óxidos de colesterol), colesterol e 7-cetocolesterol. No entanto, isto não foi observado em macrófagos GAD. Nas diversas condições experimentais, não houve diferença no conteúdo intracelular dos outros subtipos de óxidos de colesterol, em células C e GAD. Macrófagos GAD apresentaram menor conteúdo de ABCA-1 (45%), quando comparados aos macrófagos C, mesmo após adição de HDL ou HDL + T0901317. O conteúdo de ABCG-1 foi 36,6% menor em macrófagos GAD, na presença de HDL, em comparação às células C. Em conclusão, em macrófagos sobrecarregados com LDL oxidada, o tratamento com glicolaldeído diminui a exportação celular de colesterol e 7-cetocolesterol, mediada pela HDL. Isto é decorrente do menor conteúdo dos receptores ABCA-1 e ABCG-1 em macrófagos tratados com glicolaldeído, e pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de aterosclerose no diabete melito / Advanced glycation end products (AGE) alter lipid metabolism and reduce the macrophage expression of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 which impairs the reverse cholesterol transport, a system that drives cholesterol from arterial wall macrophages to the liver, allowing its excretion into the bile and feces. Oxysterols favors lipid homeostasis in macrophages and drive the reverse cholesterol transport, although the accumulation of 7-ketocholesterol, 7- hydroxycholesterol and 7- hydroxycholesterol is related to atherogenesis and cell death. We evaluated the effect of glycolaldehyde treatment (GAD; oxoaldehyde that induces a fast formation of intracellular AGE) in macrophages overloaded with oxidized LDL and incubated with HDL alone or HDL plus LXR agonist (T0901317) in: 1) the intracellular content of oxysterols and total sterols and 2) the contents of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1. Total cholesterol and oxysterol subspecies were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and HDL receptors content by immunoblot. In control macrophages (C), incubation with HDL or HDL + T0901317 reduced the intracellular content of total sterols (total cholesterol + oxysterols), cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol, which was not observed in GAD macrophages. In all experimental conditions no changes were found in the intracellular content of other oxysterol subspecies comparing C and GAD macrophages. GAD macrophages presented a 45% reduction in ABCA-1 protein level as compared to C cells, even after the addition of HDL or HDL + T0901317. The content of ABCG-1 was 36.6% reduced in GAD macrophages in the presence of HDL as compared to C macrophages. In conclusion, in macrophages overloaded with oxidized LDL, glycolaldehyde treatment reduces the HDL-mediated cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol efflux which is ascribed to the reduction in ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 protein level. This may contribute to atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus

L'effet protecteur des HDL sur les pathologies cardio-vasculaires est principalement attribué à leur rôle central dans le Transport Retour du Cholestérol (TRC). Ce processus assure l'efflux du cholestérol excédentaire des cellules périphériques vers le foie, au niveau duquel il est éliminé dans les sécrétions biliaires. Dans ce contexte, notre équipe a identifié à la surface des cellules hépatiques la présence d’un complexe enzymatique, très proche de l’ATP synthase mitochondriale, comme étant un récepteur de haute affinité pour l’apoA-I (protéine majoritaire des HDL). Cette ATP synthase de surface, également appelée ecto-F1-ATPase, joue un rôle clé dans l’endocytose hépatique des HDL. En effet, la liaison de l’apoA-I stimule l’activité ATPasique de l’enzyme, entrainant la production d’ADP extracellulaire puis l’activation spécifique du récepteur nucléotidique P2Y13, aboutissant in fine à l’endocytose des HDL. Ainsi, l’équipe a montré le rôle clé de la voie ecto-F1-ATPase/P2Y13 dans l’endocytose hépatique des HDL et par conséquent dans les effets protecteurs de ces derniers dans l’athérosclérose.Les travaux de thèse présentés ici visent à déterminer les mécanismes de régulation de cette ecto-F1-ATPase. Compte tenu de l’importance de la régulation des taux d’ADP et d’ATP extracellulaires dans l’endocytose des HDL, nous nous sommes intéressés dans un premier temps aux acteurs moléculaires qui pourraient réguler le métabolisme nucléotidique à la surface cellulaire. Nous avons mis en évidence la présence, à la surface des cellules HepG2, de l’adénine nucléotide translocase (ANT), une autre protéine classiquement localisée à la mitochondrie. Nous avons montré que l’ecto-ANT est impliquée dans la régulation des taux des nucléotides adényliques ADP et ATP extracellulaires et que son fonctionnement est lui-même dépendant du taux de ces derniers dans le milieu extracellulaire. / The cardioprotective effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is mostly attributed to their metabolic functions in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), a process whereby excess cell cholesterol is taken up from peripheral cells and processed in HDL particles, and later delivered to the liver for further metabolism and bile excretion. ATP synthase, classically known to be located in the mitochondrial inner membrane, has been unexpectedly found expressed at the plasma membrane of hepatocytes, as a receptor for apoA-I, playing a role in HDL-cholesterol uptake. On hepatocytes, apoA-I binding to ecto-F1-ATPase stimulates extracellular ATP hydrolysis into ADP, which subsequently activates a P2Y13-mediated HDL endocytosis pathway. The strict dependence of HDL endocytosis on extracellular ADP level led us to study first, whether other plasma membrane proteins than ecto-F1-ATPase could regulate extracellular ADP level. We highlighted the presence on hepatocytes cell surface of Adenine Nucleotide Translocase (ANT), another transmembrane protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane. We showed that ecto-ANT activity could increase or reduce extracellular ADP level, depending on the extracellular ADP/ATP ratio. Furthermore, we demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of ecto-ANT activity increased extracellular ADP level when ecto-F1-ATPase was activated by apoA-I. This increase in the bioavailability of extracellular ADP accordingly translated into an increase of HDL endocytosis in human hepatocytes. We then sought to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in targeting ecto-F1-ATPase to the plasma membrane. Indeed, F1-ATPase ectopic expression at the plasma membrane has been described on several cell types and has been related to several physiological and pathophysiological processes however, the pathway involved in its transport to the cell surface remains unknown.

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Institute of Parasitology. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/02/12). Includes bibliographical references.

Les tumeurs solides sont souvent confrontées à un environnement déficient en oxygène, dit hypoxique. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF1) est le facteur de transcription clé de l’adaptation cellulaire à l’hypoxie, régulant de nombreux gènes impliqués dans l’angiogenèse, le métabolisme cellulaire ou la régulation du pH. Ma thèse s’articule en trois axes autour de HIF1 et de la reprogrammation métabolique hypoxique. J’ai d’abord étudié Factor-Inhibiting HIF1 (FIH), l’un des deux senseurs d’oxygène régulant HIF1. Nous avons montré que FIH est essentiel dans le développement tumoral en inhibant à la fois l’activité transcriptionnelle de HIF1 et la voie p53-p21. J’ai ensuite étudié le « shift » du métabolisme cellulaire vers la glycolyse induit par HIF1, générant une addiction pour le glucose. Nos travaux ont montré que paradoxalement, les cellules hypoxiques synthétisent du glycogène via HIF1 constituant ainsi une réserve de glucose intracellulaire. Le glycogène confère alors une résistance accrue des cellules tumorales suite à une carence en glucose. Enfin, j’ai pu montrer que l’AMPK, « gardien de la balance énergétique », n’est pas nécessaire au maintien d’un niveau viable d’ATP suite à l’inhibition de la glycolyse, via le blocage de l’export de lactate, mais exerce, un effet protecteur en absence de glucose. Cependant, l’inhibition conjointe du transporteur de lactate, MCT4, et de l’AMPK réduit fortement le développement tumoral dans un modèle de xénogreffes chez la souris, suggérant un rôle crucial de ces deux acteurs dans ce contexte. L’ensemble de ces travaux a permis d’identifier plusieurs cibles potentielles impliquées dans la plasticité métabolique en hypoxie. / Cells of solid tumors are often exposed to an environment deficient in oxygen, i.e. hypoxic. The Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) is the major transcription factor involved in cellular adaptation to hypoxia. HIF-1 regulates a wide array of genes involved in angiogenesis, cellular metabolism or pH regulation. My thesis is organized into three axes around HIF-1 and metabolic reprogramming in hypoxia. I first studied Factor-Inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH), one of two oxygen sensors regulating HIF-1. We showed that FIH is essential for tumor development through inhibition of the HIF-1 transcriptional activity as well as through the suppression of the p53-p21 axis. I then studied the HIF-1-induced « shift » in cellular metabolism toward glycolysis, which generates a type of “glucose addiction”. We showed that paradoxically, tumor cells store glycogen in hypoxia through a HIF-1 dependant mechanism. Glycogen served as a reservoir of intracellular glucose, which allows hypoxic cells to survive periods of glucose starvation. Finally, I studied AMPK «the guardian of energy », and showed that surprisingly, this kinase is not necessary in maintaining a viable level of ATP when glycolysis is inhibited (by blockade of lactate export). However, as expected, AMPK protected cells during glucose starvation. Moreover, combined inhibition of the lactate transporter MCT4 and of AMPK reduced dramatically tumor development in a xenograft model, suggesting a crucial role for these two actors in the context of growth of tumor cells in a hostile environment. Taken together these results identified several potential drug targets involved in the metabolic plasticity of hypoxic cells.

Diversas condições durante as etapas de produção dos alimentos podem levar à introdução de micro-organismos patogênicos nas refeições. Esse fato pode ser relevante nos serviços de alimentação localizados em shopping centers pela limitada área física, número de equipamentos insuficientes e volume de refeições servidas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar esse tipo de estabelecimento quanto ao cumprimento de boas práticas e verificar a presença de matéria orgânica e contaminação bacteriana residual em refrigeradores que haviam sido submetidos à limpeza de rotina. Vinte estabelecimentos localizados em um shopping center de Porto Alegre foram incluídos no estudo. Em cada estabelecimento foi aplicada a Lista de Verificação em Boas Práticas para Serviços de Alimentação prevista na Portaria nº 78 de 28 de Janeiro de 2009 (CEVS) e foram colhidas três amostras com intervalo mensal da parede interna do refrigerador no dia subsequente à limpeza de rotina. As amostras foram avaliadas pelo sistema Clean Trace (3M), quanto à presença de Listeria sp., Coliformes Totais e Escherichia coli. Os dados resultantes da aplicação da Lista de Verificação apontaram que 55% dos estabelecimentos não atingiram a pontuação mínima (>75%) para serem considerados satisfatórios. Em 95% (57/60) das amostras colhidas nos refrigeradores, demonstrou-se a presença de matéria orgânica residual. Já as análises microbiológicas apontaram ausência de Listeria sp., presença de de Coliformes Totais e E. coli em 8,3% e 1,6% das amostras, respectivamente. Não houve associação entre a classificação do estabelecimento (satisfatório/insatisfatório) e a presença de matéria orgânica residual ou Coliformes Totais nos refrigeradores. Estes resultados demonstram a necessidade de constante revisão e monitoramento dos processos de higienização de equipamentos em serviços de alimentação. / Several conditions during all stages of food production can lead to the introduction of pathogenic micro-organisms in food. This fact may be relevant in the food service located in shopping malls by limited physical area, insufficient number of equipment and volume of meals served. The aim of this study was to evaluate this type of establishment for compliance with good practices and verify the presence of organic matter and residual bacterial contamination in refrigerators that had been submitted to routine cleaning. Twenty establishments located in a shopping center from Porto Alegre were included in the study. In each establishment a Checklist for Good Practice for Food Services, provided by Resoltuion No. 78 published on January 28th 2009 (CEVS), was aplied, and three samples were collected at monthly intervals from the inner wall of the refrigerator on the day following the routine cleaning. The samples were evaluated by the Clean Trace system (3M) for the presence of Listeria sp., Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli. The data resulting from application of the Checklist showed that 55% of establishments didn’t attained the minimum score (> 75%) to be classified satisfactory. From de samples taken on the refrigerator’s inner wall, 95% (57/60) demonstrated the presence of residual organic. Nevertheless, microbiological analyzes showed absence of Listeria sp., and isolation of Total Coliforms and E. coli in 8.3% and 1.6% of the samples, respectively. There was no association between the classification of the establishment (satisfactory / unsatisfactory) and the presence of residual organic matter or total coliform in the refrigerator. The results demonstrate the need for constant review and monitoring and improvement of sanitizing procedures of equipment in food service.

La phase aqueuse de l’atmosphère et plus précisément les gouttelettes de nuage est un des milieux les plus concentrés et réactifs de l’atmosphère au sein duquel les composés présents peuvent subir de nombreuses transformations, principalement par voie photochimique. De plus, elle a la propriété d’être oxydante due à la présence d’espèces radicalaires telles qu’OH ou HO2 et de composés tels que le peroxyde d’hydrogène et le fer.La présence avérée de microorganismes métaboliquement actifs dans l’atmosphère a soulevé de nombreuses questions et plus récemment sur leur rôle dans les processus atmosphériques. Ces organismes pourraient modifier la composition des nuages en utilisant comme substrat les composés carbonés représentant une part importante des composés présents dans les nuages. De plus, ils sont suspectés de jouer un rôle dans la capacité oxydante des nuages en impactant des composés clés de la réactivité chimique tels que le fer ou le peroxyde d’hydrogène. L’objectif de ces travaux de thèse était de se focaliser sur les interactions des microorganismes avec deux espèces oxydantes de la phase aqueuse des nuages, le fer et le peroxyde d’hydrogène.Tout d’abord, un intérêt particulier a été porté au cycle du fer et à sa complexation dans les nuages, de nature encore très incertaine à ce jour. Dans l’idée d’apporter des premiers éléments de réponse quant à cette complexation, un large screening réalisé sur des microorganismes des nuages a été effectué afin d’évaluer leur capacité à produire des sidérophores. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent l’éventuelle présence de sidérophores dans les eaux de nuage comme molécules chélatantes du fer(III) ce qui pourrait impacter la chimie du fer dans la phase aqueuse des nuages.Il a ensuite été question de s’intéresser au peroxyde d’hydrogène. Dans une première approche, les paramètres et mécanismes responsables de la transformation biotique et abiotique de H2O2 dans les eaux de nuage ont été étudiés, ainsi que ses effets sur le métabolisme énergétique des microorganismes. Dans une deuxième approche, les modifications du métabolisme microbien face à H2O2 ont été approfondies à travers une approche métabolomique. Les résultats ont ainsi suggéré que le peroxyde d’hydrogène module fortement le métabolisme énergétique des microorganismes des nuages. Les microorganismes sont capables de gérer une condition de stress oxydant mais qu’en même temps ce stress induit une réorganisation de leur métabolisme. Il a également été montré que diverses voies métaboliques telles que le métabolisme des sucres, acides carboxyliques, lipides, acides aminés, peptide et glutathion sont impactées.Intégrer ces données biologiques dans des modèles de chimie atmosphérique pour améliorer la quantification de cette modulation sur la chimie atmosphérique apparait comme une des perspectives les plus importantes à envisager. Pour cela, des constantes cinétiques de biodégradation de quatre composés majeurs des nuages ont été déterminées. Les sorties du modèle nous permettront de mieux évaluer l’impact du métabolisme microbien sur la chimie des nuages. / The aqueous phase of the atmosphere and, more precisely, cloud droplets is one of the most reactive environments of the atmosphere within which the compounds present can be transformed especially by photochemical reactions. In addition, it contains many radical species such as HO, HO2, hydrogen peroxide or iron which explains its oxidizing power.The presence of metabolically active microorganisms in the atmosphere raised many questions and, currently, on their role in atmospheric processes. These organisms could modify the composition of clouds using carbon compounds as substrate that represented an important part of compounds present in clouds. They are also suspected to play a role in the oxidative capacity of clouds by impacting key compounds of chemical reactivity such as iron or hydrogen peroxide.The objective of this work was to focus on the interactions between cloud microorganisms and two oxidant species of clouds aqueous phase, iron and hydrogen peroxide.First, the cycling of iron and its complexation still very uncertain was studied. In order to provide responses we achieved a screening to evaluate the capacity of cloud microorganisms to produce siderophores. The results obtained suggest the possible presence of siderophores in cloud water as chelating molecules of iron (III) which could have a strong impact on iron chemistry in cloud aqueous phase.Then, we focused on hydrogen peroxide. The parameters and mechanisms responsible for the biotic and abiotic transformation of H2O2 in cloud water were studied, as well as its effects on energetic metabolism of microorganisms. The modifications of the microbial metabolism in the presence of H2O2 were pursued using metabolomics. The results suggest that H2O2 strongly modulate the energetic metabolism of cloud microorganisms. They are able to handle oxidative stress conditions but at the same time this stress induces a reorganization of their metabolism. Various metabolic pathways such as sugar, carboxylic acids, lipids, amino acids, peptide and glutathione metabolism are impacted.One of the important perspectives to consider is the integration of these biological data into atmospheric chemistry models in order to improve the quantification of this modulation on atmospheric chemistry. For this, biodegradation rate constants of four major compounds present in clouds were determined. The output will allow us to assess better the impact of microbial metabolism on clouds chemistry.

Le passage sélectif de molécules à travers la membrane interne des mitochondries est essentiel aux processus métaboliques des cellules eucaryotes. Cette communication cellulaire est assurée par des protéines transmembranaires de la famille des transporteurs mitochondriaux (MCF). Le transporteur ADP/ATP (AAC) est le membre le plus connu et le mieux caractérisé de cette famille. Il est responsable de l'import d'ADP dans la matrice mitochondriale et de l'export d'ATP après synthèse vers le cytosol. La structure d'AAC est connue mais plusieurs questions restent ouvertes concernant le mécanisme du transport, la sélectivité et l'état oligomérique, controversé, de la protéine. Pendant plusieurs années des études biochimiques réalisées sur la protéine solubilisée en détergent étaient en faveur d'une organisation dimérique du transporteur, mais la structure d'AAC, monomérique a remis en cause ce dogme. Afin de caractériser l'organisation oligomérique d'AAC in vivo, nous avons combiné plusieurs approches. Nous avons réalisé des expériences de FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) directement sur des cellules mammifères ou bactériennes (E. coli) surexprimant la protéine AAC fusionnée avec des sondes FRET. En parallèle, nous avons mis au point des tests fonctionnels afin de contrôler l'état des mitochondries et l'activité du transporteur dans ces cellules. Enfin nous avons étudié la stoechiométrie de liaison de l'inhibiteur carboxyatractyloside grâce à des mesures de respiration sur des mitochondries extraites de foie de rat et placées dans différents états métaboliques. L'ensemble des résultats présentés dans ce manuscrit ont permis de montrer que 1) l'unité fonctionnelle d'AAC est monomérique 2) l'organisation structurale d'AAC dans les membranes natives dépend de l'état métabolique des mitochondries et peut être associée à des phénomènes de régulation. / The transport of small molecules through the inner mitochondrial membrane is essential in eukaryotic metabolism and is selectively controlled by a family of integral membrane proteins, the Mitochondrial Carrier Family (MCF). The ADP/ATP carrier (AAC), which is responsible for the import of ADP to the matrix of mitochondria and the export of newly synthesized ATP toward the cytosol, is the best-known and characterized MCF member. Although its structure sheds light on several aspects of the carrier activity, additional investigations are still required to decipher the whole transport mechanism, to understand the specificity and to characterize the controversial oligomeric state of the protein. For many years, based on studies mainly carried on detergent solubilized AAC the general consensus has been in favor of a dimeric organization of the carrier. The AAC three-dimensional structure, monomeric, broke this dogma. In order to get a precise insight into the in vivo oligomeric organization of AAC we combined several approaches. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements were performed directly on mammalian and E.coli cells expressing AAC labeled with several types of FRET probes. In parallel, different functional assays were established to control the state of the mitochondria in these cells and the transport activity of these AAC fusions. Lastly, measurements of the respiration rate coupled to the titration of the inhibitory effect of carboxyatractyloside on isolated rat liver mitochondria were used to investigate the organization of AAC in native mitochondria within two regimes of oxidative phosphorylation. Taken together the results described herein revealed that 1) AAC can function mechanistically as a monomer, 2) the organization of AAC in native membranes might be related to the state of the mitochondria and be involved in regulation.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:51:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2830202 bytes, checksum: 646d57cf2258798f7f8bcfe375e2b6ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Hydnangium sp. is a basidiomycetous fungus that is capable of forming ectomycorrhiza with Eucalyptus species. The in vitro mycorrhization system is widely used for mycorrhizal interactions studies, becoming a simple and reproducible system for the symbiosis-regulated genes expression analysis. In this work, the in vitro mycorrhization system for the Hydnangium sp. and Eucalyptus grandis interaction was performed for the colonization, differentiation and functioning phases for the ectomicorriza formation. The colonization phase were verified after five days of inoculation with the Hydnangium sp., the differentiation phase after ten days and the functioning phase after 20 days of inoculation. The extern morphology was analyzed by stereomicroscopy and the section microscopy was performed for the mantle and Hartig net detection. The total RNA extraction was performed for each phase, with the objective of to analyze genes expression. However, the material quantity from roots of 130 seedlings for each phase was insufficient for the transcripts detection through RTPCR. The intron analysis of the partial sequences of the genes that encode ATP sintase (atp) and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (aat) of Hydnangium sp. enabled two introns identification in partial sequence of atp gene (53 and 65 bp), while in partial sequence of aat gene were identified three introns (52, 52 e 46 bp). All introns analyzed have the canonical sequence 5 GT 3 AG on splicing sites, ranging the adjacent nucleotides. The phylogenetic analysis, using the partial sequences of amino acids of atp and aat genes, enabled the correct group separation, corroborating the Hydnangium sp. classification as belonging the same family of Laccaria bicolor. / Hydnangium sp. é um fungo basidiomiceto capaz de formar ectomicorriza com espécies de Eucalyptus. Os sistemas de micorrização in vitro vêm sendo largamente utilizados para estudar interações micorrízicas, tornando-se um sistema simples e reproduzível para as análises de expressão de genes envolvidos na interação. Neste trabalho, a técnica de micorrização in vitro para a interação do fungo Hydnangium sp. com E. grandis foi realizada para as fases de colonização, diferenciação e funcionamento da ectomicorriza. A fase de colonização foi verificada após cinco dias de inoculação com Hydnangium sp., a fase de diferenciação após 10 dias e a fase de funcionamento após 20 dias de inoculação. A morfologia externa foi analisada por lupa e foram avaliados cortes microscópicos para a detecção do manto e da rede de Hartig. A extração de RNA total foi realizada para cada uma das fases, com o objetivo de analisar a expressão gênica. Entretanto, a quantidade de material proveniente de raízes de 130 plântulas para cada fase, foi insuficiente para a detecção de transcritos por meio de RTPCR. A análise dos íntrons das seqüências parciais dos genes que codificam ATP sintase (atp) e acetil-CoA acetiltransferase (aat) de Hydnangium sp. permitiu a identificação de dois íntrons na seqüência parcial do gene atp (53 e 65 pb), enquanto que na seqüência parcial do gene aat foram identificados três íntrons (52, 52 e 46 pb). Todos os íntrons analisados possuem a seqüência padrão 5 GT 3 AG no sítio de processamento, variando os nucleotídeos adjacentes. A análise filogenética, utilizando as seqüências parciais de aminoácidos deduzidas dos genes atp e aat, permitiu a separação correta dos grupos, corroborando a classificação do fungo Hydnangium sp. como pertencente à mesma família de Laccaria bicolor.

Mgr. Daniela Fornuskova PhD thesis Biochemical and molecular studies of cytochrome c oxidase and ATP synthase deficiencies ABSTRACT The mammalian organism fully depends on the oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) as the major energy (ATP) producer of the cell. Disturbances of OXPHOS may be caused by mutations in either mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA (nDNA). One part of the thesis is focused on the role of early and late assembled nuclear-encoded structural subunits of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) as well as Oxa1l, the human homologue of the yeast mitochondrial Oxa1 translocase, in the biogenesis and function of the human CcO complex using stable RNA interference of COX4, COX5A, COX6A1 and OXA1L, as well as expression of epitope-tagged Cox6a, Cox7a and Cox7b, in HEK (human embryonic kidney)- 293 cells. Our results indicate that, whereas nuclear- encoded CcO subunits Cox4 and Cox5a are required for the assembly of the functional CcO complex, the Cox6a subunit is required for the overall stability of the holoenzyme. In OXA1L knockdown HEK-293 cells, intriguingly, CcO activity and holoenzyme content were unaffected, although the inactivation of OXA1 in yeast was shown to cause complete absence of CcO activity. In addition, we compared OXPHOS protein deficiency patterns in mitochondria from skeletal...