Die erwiesene Verbindung der V-ATPase mit Krankheiten wie Osteoporose oder Krebs erfordert die umfassende Analyse des Enzyms und seiner Inhibitoren, um entsprechende therapeutische Ansätze zu ermöglichen. V-ATPasen befinden sich sowohl in Endomembranen eukaryotischer Zellen als auch in Plasmamembranen vieler tierischer Zellen. Strukturell gliedern sie sich in einen membranständigen, protonentranslozierenden VO-Komplex und einen peripheren, ATP-hydrolysierenden V1-Komplex. Über die Kopplung von ATP-Hydrolyse und Protonentransport energetisiert die V-ATPase viele transmembrane Transportprozesse und reguliert den pH-Wert in Organellen und Zellen. Die etablierten Plecomakrolid-Inhibitoren Bafilomycin und Concanamycin, welche schon seit den 1980er Jahren untersucht werden, hemmen die V-ATPase spezifisch in nanomolaren Konzentrationen. In vorangegangenen Arbeiten war der Hauptteil ihrer Bindestelle bereits der c-Untereinheit des VO-Komplexes zugeordnet worden, wobei aber auch die VO-Untereinheit a an der Bindung beteiligt zu sein scheint. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Bindestelle mit Hilfe von Photoaffinitätsmarkierungen mit neuen Plecomakrolid-Derivaten und der V-ATPase aus Manduca sexta weiter charakterisiert. Dabei wurde bestätigt, dass die Plecomakrolide an die VO-Untereinheit c binden. Außerdem konnte die Beteiligung der VO-Untereinheit a erstmals direkt gezeigt werden. Sie ist vermutlich auf die engen Interaktionen der Untereinheiten innerhalb des VO-Komplexes zurückzuführen, weshalb ein Inhibitionsmechanismus naheliegt, bei dem Bafilomycin und Concanamycin als „Stöckchen im Getriebe“ die Rotation des c-Rings relativ zur a-Untereinheit verhindern. Mit dem Inhibitor Apicularen wurde in dieser Arbeit erstmals die Bindestelle eines Benzolacton Enamids an der V-ATPase bestimmt. Eine Besonderheit der Benzolacton Enamide ist die Tatsache, dass sie als erste Inhibitor-Klasse die V-ATPasen von Pilzen nicht hemmen. Nach Kenntnisstand zu Beginn dieser Arbeit binden die Benzolacton Enamide zwar innerhalb des VO-Komplexes, aber an anderer Stelle als die Plecomakrolide und der Inhibitor Archazolid. Überraschenderweise wurden aber bei Photoaffinitätslabelversuchen mit einem Diazirinyl-Derivat von Apicularen ebenfalls die VO-Untereinheiten a und c markiert. Es konnte bestätigt werden, dass sich die Apicularen-Bindestelle deutlich von der des Archazolids unterscheidet, sie jedoch teilweise mit der Plecomakrolid-Bindestelle überlappt. Für die weitere Untersuchung der Apicularen-Bindung wurden Komplementationsstudien mit Deletionsmutanten von Saccharomyces cerevisiae und VO-Untereinheiten Apicularen-sensitiver Organismen durchgeführt. Während der funktionelle Austausch der a-Untereinheit gegen Hybrid-a-Untereinheiten aus S. cerevisiae und Homo sapiens nicht glückte, resultierte der Austausch der c-Untereinheit gegen Homologe von H. sapiens und M. sexta in vollständig assemblierten und aktiven Hybrid-V-ATPasen. Damit gelang es erstmals, eine humane V-ATPase-Untereinheit in Hefe funktionell zu exprimieren. Dadurch, dass die Hybrid-V-ATPasen nicht durch Apicularen gehemmt werden, kann angenommen werden, dass die Apicularen-Bindestelle zumindest nicht von der c-Untereinheit allein gebildet wird, sondern dass im Umkehrschluss die VO-Untereinheit a einen erheblichen Beitrag zur Bindung beisteuert.

No description available.

No description available.

The Ca-ATPase is an integral membrane enzyme which translocates two calcium ions from the cytoplasm of the cell to the sarcoplasmic reticulum lumen utilizing ATP breakdown as its energy source, in order to promote muscle relaxation. The focus of this research is the cardiac isoform of the Ca-ATPase which undergoes allosteric regulation by the phosphoprotein phospholamban (PLN). The Ca-ATPase is thought to be a target for nitrative stress and is affected by several chronic diseases of the heart. In the heart, age-based nitration of the Ca-ATPase inhibits Ca²⁺ transport activity but the physical mechanism by which nitration inhibits Ca-ATPase activity is not understood. Conversely, nitroxyl (HNO), a new candidate for drug therapy for congestive heart failure (CHF), improves overall cardiovascular function by increasing Ca-ATPase activity in the heart. However, the physical mechanism for this activation is unknown. Therefore, we have used enzyme kinetics, fluorescence spectroscopy, and EPR spectroscopy studies to determine the effects of ONOO⁻ and HNO on the Ca-ATPase and the physical regulation of the Ca-ATPase by PLN. Treatment of Ca-ATPase with a nitrating agent, ONOO⁻, inhibited Ca-ATPase activity, and the [ONOO⁻]-dependent inhibition of the Ca-ATPase was more effective in the presence of PLN. ONOO⁻ did not affect the [Ca²]-dependence of Ca-ATPase activity either in the presence or absence of PLN. ONOO⁻ had no effect on Ca-ATPase rotational mobility or oligomeric interactions, as affected by PLN, but ONOO⁻ decreased the amplitude of the Ca²⁺-dependent E2 to E1•Ca2 conformational change, both in the absence and presence of PLN. Treatment with HNO had no affect on the [Ca²⁺]-dependence of Ca-ATPase activity in the absence of PLN; however in the presence of PLN, the [Ca²⁺]-dependent activity was shifted to lower Ca²⁺ levels and corresponded to the uncoupling of PLN from the Ca-ATPase. HNO decreased Ca-ATPase rotational mobility and increased the Ca-ATPase Ca²⁺-dependent conformational transition, consistent with uncoupling PLN from the Ca-ATPase. Taken together, these results suggest that ONOO⁻ inactivates a fraction of enzyme units to lower overall enzyme activity, whereas HNO uncouples PLN from the Ca-ATPase with increases in Ca-ATPase conformational flexibility and Ca-ATPase activity. / Ph. D.

Le cadmium est un métal lourd non-essentiel naturellement présent dans le sol. Il a été classé par le centre international de recherche sur le cancer (CIRC) comme un élément cancérigène de type I. Contrairement à la majorité des autres plantes, le tabac (Nicotiana tabacum) accumule le cadmium à des niveaux relativement élevés dans ses parties aériennes. Ce cadmium est ensuite retrouvé dans la fumée de cigarette. La concentration en cadmium dans les vaisseaux sanguins des fumeurs est deux à trois fois supérieure à celle que l'on rencontre chez les non-fumeurs. Pour diminuer la toxicité des cigarettes, il est souhaitable de diminuer la quantité de cadmium accumulé par le tabac dans ses feuilles. Pour parvenir à cet objectif, il est nécessaire de comprendre les mécanismes impliqués dans l'accumulation du cadmium chez le tabac.Les acteurs moléculaires impliqués dans le transport et l'accumulation du cadmium in-planta ont été principalement décrits chez l'espèce modèle Arabidopsis thaliana. Chez cette plante, le cadmium est chargé dans le xylème par AtHMA2 et AtHMA4, deux transporteurs de zinc qui partagent une redondance fonctionnelle partielle et qui sont responsables de la translocation du cadmium des parties racinaires vers les parties aériennes. Deux orthologues à AtHMA2 et AtHMA4 ont été identifiés chez N. tabacum et nommés NtHMAα et NtHMAβ. Ces deux transporteurs sont principalement exprimés dans les racines mais on en trouve également dans les feuilles. NtHMAα a été localisé plus précisément au niveau des cellules du péricycle dans les racines et dans les nervures tertiaires des feuilles. L'étude de lignées mutantes a confirmé le rôle de NtHMAα et NtHMAβ dans la translocation du cadmium des parties racinaires vers les parties aériennes. Les lignées qui expriment une version tronquée de NtHMAα ont une réduction de leur teneur en cadmium foliaire de 45%. Les lignées dans lesquelles l'expression des gènes NtHMAα et NtHMAβ est réduite sont sévèrement impactées dans leur développement. Un des phénotypes observé est une diminution drastique de la quantité de graines en raison de l'incapacité du pollen à germer à cause d'un déficit en zinc. Nous avons montré que chez ces lignées, la tolérance au cadmium était accrue. Dans l'ensemble, nos résultats montrent une grande redondance entre NtHMAα et NtHMAβ. / Cadmium is a heavy metal naturally present in the soil. It is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Unlike most other plants, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) translocates most of the cadmium taken up from the soil out of the roots and into the shoots. As a result, cadmium content in cigarettes is a problem for smokers who have four to five times higher blood cadmium concentrations than nonsmokers. In order to reduce cigarette toxicity it is desired to reduce cadmium accumulated in tobacco leaves. For this purpose, it is important to understand the mechanisms controlling cadmium accumulation in shoots.Molecular actors involved in cadmium repartition in plants have been well described in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, cadmium is loaded into the xylem vessels by HMA2 and HMA4, two zinc transporters with partial functional redundancy. Two orthologous proteins of AtHMA2 and AtHMA4 were identified in N. tabacum and named NtHMAα and NtHMAβ. These two transporters are mainly expressed in roots but their expression was also found in shoots. NtHMAα expression was more precisely found in root pericycle cells and in shoot tertiary nerves. The analysis of mutant lines confirmed that NtHMAα and NtHMAβ are involved in cadmium translocation from roots to shoots. Lines which expressed a truncated version of NtHMAα had a 45% reduction in shoot cadmium content. Lines where both NtHMAα and NtHMAβ were silenced were severely impacted in their development. One of the phenotypes that was identified was a drastic reduction in the number of seeds due to the lack of pollen germination. We also found an enhanced tolerance to cadmium in the silenced lines. Altogether, our results show a great redundancy between NtHMAα and NtHMAβ.

Toxinas animais são moléculas aplicáveis na geração de agentes terapêuticos e/ou de ferramentas experimentais para a pesquisa básica e aplicada, justificando sua purificação e análise funcional. Considerando que estudos de venenos de sapos são relevantes, por serem estes considerados uma boa fonte de toxinas que atuam sobre diferentes sistemas biológicos, os objetivos deste trabalho foram isolar toxinas presentes no veneno de Rinella schneideri e avaliar suas ações sobre a atividade da enzima Na+K+-ATPase e os sistemas nervosos central e periférico. O veneno de Rhinella schneideri foi inicialmente submetido a diferentes extrações resultando em quatro amostras. A AMOSTRA A, que apresenta apenas componentes de baixa massa molecular, foi a mais efetiva na redução da atividade da Na+K+-ATPase e foi, portanto, liofilizada e submetida a uma cromatografia de fase reversa em sistema CLAE em coluna C2C18. Das 5 frações majoritárias obtidas nesta cromatografia apenas as Rs3, Rs4 e Rs5 induziram uma redução concentração-dependente da atividade da Na+K+-ATPase, mostrando IC50% de 33,6 g, 47,7 g e 98,92 g, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicam que o veneno de R. schneideri apresenta pelo menos três substâncias capazes de inibir a Na+K+-ATPase. As frações Rs3, Rs4 e Rs5, foram submetidas à espectrometria de massa e revelaram massas moleculares de 403, 401 e 387 Da, provavelmente correspondentes à Telocinobufagina, Desacetilcinobufagina e Bufalina, respectivamente. Estes compostos mostraram também neuroproteção central muito relevante sobre crises convulsivas induzidas por PTZ (Pentilenotetrazol) e NMDA (n-metil-d-aspartato), sendo que a Rs5 foi a que causou maior neuroproteção. No entanto, estas mesmas frações apresentaram ação neurotóxica periférica, induzindo bloqueio da junção neuromuscular de pintainhos. Manifestações como alucinações, dormência, confusão mental também são observadas em envenenamentos por sapos, que podem ser induzidos por alcalóides presentes no veneno, o que justifica os estudos para a identificação dos mesmos. Neste trabalho confirmou-se a presença de ii alcalóides no veneno. No entanto, foram priorizados os estudos com as toxinas isoladas Rs3, Rs4 e Rs5, por apresentarem ações biológicas importantes. Concluindo, neste trabalho foram isolados 3 compostos de baixa massa molecular, denominados Rs3, Rs4 e Rs5, que são capazes de inibir a atividade da Na+K+- ATPase, bloquear a transmissão do impulso nervoso na junção neuromuscular de pintainhos e, principalmente a Rs5, proteger crises convulsivas induzidas por PTZ e NMDA. Estudos adicionais serão necessários para estabelecer a correlação entre estes efeitos e determinar o mecanismo de ação destas toxinas. / Animal toxins are molecules applicable in the generation of therapeutic agents and / or experimental tools for basic and applied research, justifying its purification and functional analysis. Whereas studies of poison toads are relevant, since these are considered a good source of toxins that act on different biological systems, the objectives of this work were to isolate toxins in the venom of Rinella schneideri and evaluate their actions on the Na+K+-ATPase activity and the central and peripheral nervous systems. The venom Rhinella schneideri was initially submitted to different extractions resulting in four samples. The SAMPLE A, with only low molecular mass components, was the most effective in reducing the activity of Na+K+-ATPase and was lyophilized and subjected to reverse phase chromatography in the HPLC system in C2C18 column. Five majority fractions were obtained from this chromatography and only Rs3, Rs4 and Rs5 induced a concentration-dependent reduction in activity of Na+K+-ATPase, showing IC50% 33.6 g, 47.7 g and 98.92 g, respectively. These results indicate that R. schneideri venom presents at least three substances that can inhibit the Na+K+-ATPase. Fractions Rs3, Rs4 and Rs5 were submitted to mass spectrometry assay showing molecular masses of 403, 401and 387 Da, probably corresponding to Telocinobufagin, Desacetylcinobufagin and Bufalin, respectively. These compounds also showed a very relevant central neuroprotection on seizures induced by PTZ (Pentylenetetrazole) and NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate), and the Rs5 caused the highest neuroprotection. However, these same fractions showed neurotoxicity on peripheral nervous system, inducing blockade of the neuromuscular junction of chicks. Manifestations such as hallucinations, numbness, mental confusion are also seen in poisoning by toads, which can be induced by alkaloids present in the venom, which justifies the studies for their identification. This work confirmed the presence of alkaloids in the venom. However, have been prioritized the studies with isolated toxins Rs3, Rs4 and Rs5, because they have important biological actions. In conclusion, in this study were isolated three compounds with iv low molecular mass, known as Rs3, Rs4 and Rs5, which are capable of inhibiting the activity of Na+K+-ATPase, blocking the nerve impulse transmission at the neuromuscular junction of chickens, and especially the Rs5 by protecting seizures induced by PTZ and NMDA. Additional studies are necessary to establish the correlation between these effects and determine the mechanism of action of these toxins.

Em eucariotos, a origem de replicação é reconhecida por um complexo ORC, a proteína Cdc6 e outras proteínas. Nos tripanossomas, encontramos somente uma proteína similar a Orc1 e Cdc6, que chamaremos de Orc1/Cdc6. Nesta tese serão descritos os estudos realizados sobre Orc1/Cdc6 do Trypanosoma cruzi e do Trypanosoma brucei. As proteínas recombinantes dos tripanossomas apresentam atividade de ATPase e são capazes de substituir Cdc6 em ensaio de complementação em leveduras. A indução do silenciamento do gene de Orc1/Cdc6 por RNAi resulta em células anucleadas. Orc1/Cdc6 é expressa durante todo o ciclo celular das formas replicativas, permanecendo associada à cromatina. No caso do T.cruzi, Orc1/Cdc6 é expressa não só nas formas replicativas, mas também nas formas não replicativas. Nestas últimas, a proteína expressa não interage com o DNA, este resultado sugere que a ausência desta interação deve contribuir para ausência da duplicação do DNA nas formas infectivas do T. cruzi. / In eukaryotes, the replication origin is recognized by a complex ORC, Cdc6 and other proteins. The trypanosomes contain only one protein, we named it Orc1/Cdc6. Here we show that the recombinant Orc1/Cdc6 from T.cruzi (TcOrc1/Cdc6) and from T.brucei (TbOrc1/Cdc6) present ATPase activity, replaced yeast Cdc6 in a phenotypic complementation assay. The induction of Orc1/Cdc6 silencing by RNA interference in T.brucei resulted in enucleated cells. Orc1/Cdc6 is expressed during the entire cell cycle and in all stages of the life cycle of trypanosomes, remaining associated with chromatin in all stages of the cell cycle. This association is different among the stages from T. cruzi life cycle. In the non replicative ones, Orc1/Cdc6 does not interact with DNA. The lack of pre-replication machinery-DNA interaction in T. cruzi non-replicative stages might contribute to the absence of DNA replication in these stages.

Este estudo descreve um novo método para a produção da Ca2+-ATPase do retículo sarcoplasmático de coelho em levedura utilizando um vetor de expressão regulado por choque térmico. Após solubilização das membranas de levedura com lisofosfatidilcolina, a introdução de um \"tag\" de 6 histidinas na extremidade amino-terminal da Ca2+-ATPase permitiu a sua purificação por cromatografia de afinidade utilizando uma resina carregada com níquel. Utilizando essa estratégia, foi possível obter frações enriquecidas em até 75% de Ca2+-ATPase recombinante, algo não descrito ainda na literatura. A 6xHis Ca2+-ATPase solubilizada em LPC e purificada em coluna de níquel se mantém estável desde que seja introduzido DOPC juntamente com o detergente nas etapas de lavagem e eluição. Nessas condições, a enzima purificada possui elevada atividade ATPásica cálcio-dependente (1.5-2.0 µmol/mg proteína.min) durante vários minutos de reação. A titulação da atividade ATPásica em função do cálcio livre demonstrou que a 6xHis Ca2+-ATPase purificada possui alta afinidade para o íon (K0.5= 0.15 µlM) e manteve uma forte cooperatividade na ativação por cálcio (nH = 2.07). A quantidade e o grau de pureza obtidos são suficientes para permitir a caracterização bioquímica e espectroscópica de mutantes pontuais da Ca2+-ATPase já construídos e expressos em levedura. A conversão da energia presente em ligações químicas em gradiente eletroquímico é um tema central da bioenergética. Espera-se que o estudo dos mutantes pontuais de triptofano da Ca2+-ATPase gerados nesse trabalho contribua para uma melhor compreensão do mecanismo de acoplamento entre a hidrólise de ATP e o transporte vetorial de íons nesse modêlo de estudo de proteínas de transporte. / We describe in this work a new method for the production of SERCA-l Ca2+-ATPase in yeast using a heat-shock regulated expression vector. Following solubilization of yeast membranes with lysophospholipids, the presence of an hexahistidine tag introduced at the Nterminal end of the Ca2+-ATPase allowed its purification by metal chelating affinity chromatography using a nickel-NTA resin. Using this procedure highly enriched ftactions (75% oftotal protein in the ftaction) of yeast-expressed rabbit Ca2+-ATPase were obtained. Detergent-solubilized 6xHis-Ca2+-ATPase retained highly active (1.5 - 2 µmol/mg protein .min) calcium-dependent, vanadate inhibitable ATPase activity as determined by 32P-γ-ATP hydrolysis. Titration of ATPase activity as a function of ftee calcium revealed high Ca2+ affinity (K0.5 =~ 0.15 µM) and the persistence of a strong cooperative pattem of calcium activation (Hill number of 2.07). The yield and purity of 6xHis Ca2+-ATPase fractions produced with this method allows the biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of Ca2+-ATPase mutants produced in the course of this work. Conversion of the energy present in chemical bonds to electrochemical gradient is a central theme of bioenergetics. It is hoped that the study of the Ca2+-ATPase tryptophan mutants generated in this work will contribute to a better understanding of the coupling mechanism between ATP hydrolysis and the vectorial transport of ions across membranes that occur in this model system.

No presente trabalho foram estudadas a caracterização cinética e as propriedades bioquímicas da (Na+, K+)-ATPase branquial dos estágios ontogenéticos juvenil e adulto do camarão de água doce M. amazonicum. Em ambos os estágios de desenvolvimento foi expressa uma (Na+, K+)-ATPase com peso molecular de 105 kDa. A estimulação da atividade (Na+, K+)-ATPase de animais adultos pelo ATP apresentou comportamento michaeliano (V=181,8±77,83 U mg-1; KM=0,11±0,01 mmol L-1). Entretanto a estimulação da atividade (Na+, K+)-ATPase pelo Mg2+ (V=174,7±74,76 U mg-1; K0,5=0,27±0,05 mmol L-1; n= 2,5), Na+ (V=175,5±75,12 U mg-1; K0,5=4,73±0,81 mmol L-1; n= 1,9), K+ (V=171,2±73,28 U mg-1; K0,5=1,00±0,17 mmol L-1; n=1,2) e NH4+ (V=194,2±63,34 U mg-1; K0,5= 4,76±2,15 mmol L-1; n=1,9) ocorreu segundo cinética cooperativa. Nos animais juvenis, a modulação da atividade (Na+, K+)-ATPase pelo ATP, também apresentou comportamento michaeliano (V=189,52±32,45 U mg-1; KM= 0,14±0,02 mmol L-1). O mesmo foi observado para o K+ (V=178,56±30,58 U mg-1; KM= 1,30±0,22 mmol L-1) e o NH4+ (V=205,91±35,26 U mg-1; KM=1,88±0,32 mmol L-1). Para o Mg2+ (V=168,35±28,83 U mg-1; K0,5=0,51±0,09 mmol L-1; n=3,5) e o Na+ (V=165,48±28,33 U mg-1; K0,5=4,92±0,84 mmol L-1; n=1,3), a estimulação da enzima ocorreu através de interações sítio-sítio. Na presença de K+ e NH4+ a atividade da enzima de animais adultos, foi estimulada 30% e o K0,5 aumentou 3 vezes. Já os animais juvenis, apresentaram um aumento de 12% na velocidade máxima e o K0,5 aumentou 2 vezes. Na presença de K+ a atividade ATPase total dos animais adultos foi inibida 62% pela ouabaína com Ki=114±2,41 µmol L-1. Já para os animais juvenis, a inibição foi da ordem de 87% com Ki=91,22±15,62 µmol L-1. Na presença de NH4+ a inibição pela ouabaína da atividade ATPase total dos animais adultos foi da ordem de 70% com Ki=57,95±17,04 µmol L-1 enquanto para os juvenis a inibição foi da ordem de 85% com Ki=53,98±9,24 µmol L-1. / In the present work the kinetic characterization and biochemical properties of the (Na+, K+)-ATPase gill in ontogenetic stages of juvenile and adult freshwater prawn M. amazonicum was studied. In both stages of development the (Na+, K+)-ATPase was expressed as a molecular weight of 105 kDa. The stimulation of activity (Na+, K+)-ATPase by ATP in adult animals showed a michaeliano comportament (V=181.8±77.83 U mg-1, KM=0.11±0.01 mmol L -1). However the stimulation of activity (Na+, K+)-ATPase by Mg2 + (V=174.7±74.76 U mg-1, K0,5 =0.27±0.05 mmol L-1, n=2.5 ), Na+ (V=175.5±75.12 U mg-1, K0,5=4.73±0.81 mmol L-1, n=1.9), K+ (V =171.2±73,28 U mg-1, K0,5=1.00±0.17 mmol L-1, n=1,2) and NH4+ (V=194.2±63.34 U mg-1, K0,5=4, 76±2.15 mmol L-1, n=1.9) ocorred second cooperative kinetics. In juvenile animals, modulation of the activity (Na+, K+)-ATPase by ATP, exhibited behavior michaeliano (V=189.52±32.45 U mg-1, KM=0.14±0.02 mmol L-1). The same was observed for K+ (V=178.56±30.58 U mg-1, KM=1.30±0.22 mmol L-1) and NH4+ (V=205.91±35.26 U mg -1, KM=1.88±0.32 mmol L-1). For Mg2 + (V=168.35±28.83 U mg-1, K0,5=0.51 ± 0.09 mmol L-1, n=3.5) and Na+ (V=65.48±28 mmol L-1, 33 U mg-1, K0,5=4.92±0.84 mmol L-1, n=1.3), stimulation of the enzyme occurred through site-site interactions. In the presence of K+ and NH4+ the enzyme activity of adult animals, was stimulated 30% and K0,5 increased by 3 times. Already the young animals showed a 12% increase in speed and K0,5 increased by 2 times. In the presence of K+ ATPase activity of the total adult animals was inhibited 62% by ouabain with Ki=114±2.41 mmol L-1. As for the juvenile animals, the inhibition was approximately 87% with Ki=1.22±15.62 mmol L-1. In the presence of NH4+ by ouabain inhibition of total ATPase activity of adult animals was about 70% with Ki=57.95±17.04 mmol L-1 while for juveniles the inhibition was approximately 85% with Ki=53.98 ± 9.24 mmol L-1.

A Na,K-ATPase é uma proteína integral que utiliza a energia derivada da hidrólise do ATP para transportar íons Na+ e K+ através da membrana contra seus gradientes eletroquímicos. É composta por três subunidades, denominadas alfa, beta e gama. Alguns autores defendem que o protômero (alfa-beta) seja a unidade estrutural e funcional da enzima, porém outros consideram que a enzima nativa da membrana funciona como um oligômero, na forma de um dímero (alfa-beta)2. Em estudos com proteínas de membrana, o uso de detergentes é bastante comum para manter a proteína de interesse em um estado funcional após ser retirada da bicamada lipídica, além disso, sabe-se que vários fatores interferem a atividade enzimática da Na,K-ATPase e existem evidências que mostram que a bicamada lipídica, na qual a enzima está inserida, também controla a interação entre os protômeros da proteína e alterações nas suas propriedades biofísicas podem modular a atividade da enzima. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar o efeito de diferentes razões detergente/proteína na estabilidade da Na,K-ATPase solubilizada e de diferentes microambientes lipídicos na sua atividade, analisando as alterações no comportamento termotrópico da bicamada com a mudança da composição lipídica, observando as alterações da incorporação e recuperação da atividade enzimática quando a proteína foi reconstituída em sistemas miméticos de membrana. Utilizando o espalhamento dinâmico de luz (DLS) foi possível acompanhar o processo de agregação térmica da enzima, fornecendo informações da sua estrutura, bem como avaliar a sua estabilidade quando solubilizada. A desnaturação térmica da Na,K-ATPase também foi avaliada por calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC) e verificou-se que é um processo irreversível, e ocorreu entre 50 e 70°C, sendo a soma de três transições. Utilizando DSC, analisou-se ainda o comportamento termotrópico dos sistemas de lipossomos e proteolipossomos constituídos de DPPC, DPPE e colesterol. Para os sistemas vesiculares, na ausência da proteína, foi observado que para o sistema binário de DPPC e DPPE, o aumento da proporção do último lipídio induz uma separação de fase, assim como a presença de colesterol, tanto nos sistemas binários (DPPC:Col e DPPE:Col), quanto no ternário (DPPC:DPPE:Col). Avaliou-se ainda como o microambiente lipídico interfere na incorporação e atividade da Na,K-ATPase. Verificou que diferentes quantidades de colesterol alteram a atividade enzimática, confirmando que este possui um importante papel na modulação da atividade, alterando propriedades da membrana e influenciando na conformação da proteína. / Na,K-ATPase is an enzyme that is intrinsic to the plasma membrane, responsible for the coupled active transport of Na+ and K+ across animal cell membranes. The enzyme consists of alfa, beta and gama subunits. It has been demonstrated that the alfa-beta form of Na,K-ATPase is capable of both ATP hydrolysis and active ion transport, however accumulating evidence suggest that the enzyme normally self-associates as (alfa-beta)2 dimers. In membrane protein research, the most typical use of a detergent is to maintain a target membrane protein in a functional, folded state in the absence of a membrane. Moreover, it is known that several factors influence the enzymatic activity of Na, K-ATPase and there is evidence that the lipid bilayer, in which the enzyme is located, also controls the interaction between protomers and that changes in their biophysical properties can modulate the activity of the enzyme. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different detergent/protein ratios on the stability solubilized of Na, K-ATPase and different lipid microenvironments in their activity by analyzing changes in the thermotropic behavior of the bilayer, analysing the incorporation changes and the recovery of enzyme activity when the protein was reconstituted in a membrane mimetic systems. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to monitor the process of thermal aggregation of the enzyme, providing information on their structure and evaluating its stability when solubized. The thermal denaturation of Na, K-ATPase was also evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and it was verified that it is an irreversible process, which occurred between 50 and 70 ° C, being the sum of three transitions. Using DSC, we analyzed the thermotropic behavior of proteolipossomos and liposomes consisting of DPPC, DPPE and cholesterol. For vesicular systems in the absence of the protein, it was observed that for the binary system of DPPC and DPPE, increasing the proportion of the latter induces a lipid phase separation and the presence of cholesterol in both binary systems (DPPC: Col and DPPE: Chol), and in the ternary system (DPPC: DPPE: Chol) it induces a lipid phase separation. It was also evaluated how the lipid microenvironment interferes on the incorporation and activity of Na, K-ATPase. It was found that different amounts of cholesterol alter the enzyme activity, confirming cholesterol has an important role in the modulation of the activity by altering the membrane properties and influencing the protein conformation.