Submitted by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2016-04-08T13:52:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Borges Filho.pdf: 1239455 bytes, checksum: 6ed42bfbe4228eaf1553aaf8e1235c9e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-08T13:52:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Borges Filho.pdf: 1239455 bytes, checksum: 6ed42bfbe4228eaf1553aaf8e1235c9e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-09 / A relação entre o estresse e a depressão tem sido alvo de intensas pesquisas comportamentais e fisiopatológicas. Dentro deste contexto, estudos postulam que a hipersecreção de cortisol e o desenvolvimento de um quadro de estresse oxidativo são fatores responsáveis pela ocorrência da depressão em indivíduos estressados. Como mecanismo recente de estudo, também está sendo sugerido o papel das neurotrofinas e da enzima Na+,K+-ATPase na fisiopatologia da depressão. Embora vários antidepressivos já estejam disponíveis no mercado, a falta de eficácia na totalidade dos pacientes e a vasta ocorrência de efeitos colaterais adversos constituem uma problemática no tratamento da depressão. Assim, pesquisas têm buscado compostos, principalmente naturais, que possam melhor satisfazer as exigências clínicas sem ocasionar alterações fisiológicas indesejáveis. A crisina é um flavonóide natural abundante no, localmente denominado, maracujá do mato (Passiflora coerulea), e seus efeitos terapêuticos já têm sido explorados em modelos de estresse oxidativo, hiperlipidemia, inflamação, hipertensão e neoplasia, mas seu efeito na depressão ainda é desconhecido. Com isso, objetivou-se neste trabalho analisar o efeito do tratamento oral com o flavonóide crisina por 28 dias em camundongos submetidos ao estresse crônico moderado e imprevisível (CUMS), em parâmetros comportamentais, bioquímicos e neurotróficos, comparando com o efeito da fluoxetina (controle positivo). O CUMS aplicado por 28 dias reduziu os níveis de BDNF (Fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro) e NGF (Fator de crescimento do nervo) e ocasionou a inibição da atividade da enzima Na+,K+-ATPase no hipocampo e córtex pré-frontal de camundongos. O tratamento com crisina (5 ou 20mg/kg) não só protegeu contra estas mudanças, mas a dose de 20mg/kg ainda elevou o BDNF e o NGF a níveis acima do grupo controle em animais não estressados e em animais submetidos ao CUMS. O CUMS induziu a redução na preferência por sacarose, o aumento no tempo de imobilidade no teste de nado forçado (FST) e o aumento nos níveis plasmáticos de corticosterona. Além do tratamento com crisina (5 ou 20mg/kg) prevenir contra estas alterações nos animais estressados, também se observou o efeito antidepressivo da crisina no FST nos animais não estressados. Os dados acima citados mostram o efeito antidepressivo da crisina em animais não estressados e estressados, de forma equivalente à fluoxetina, sugerindo o possível envolvimento do BDNF e do NGF no efeito antidepressivo da crisina. O protocolo do CUMS reduziu os níveis de tióis não-protéicos (NPSH) e elevou os níveis de espécies reativas (RS) no hipocampo e córtex pré-frontal de camundongos. Como possível mecanismo de resposta a estas mudanças, foi verificada a elevação da atividade das enzimas glutationa redutase (GR), glutationa peroxidase (GPx) e catalase (CAT) no hipocampo e córtex pré-frontal dos camundongos submetidos ao CUMS. O tratamento com crisina (5 ou 20mg/kg) protegeu frente a estas modificações, mostrando o envolvimento da ação antioxidante no efeito antidepressivo da crisina em animais estressados. Em conclusão, estes dados demonstram o efeito antidepressivo da crisina em parâmetros comportamentais e fisiopatolóficos em animais não estressados e em animais estressados, e sugerem o possível envolvimento do BDNF e do NGF no efeito antidepressivo da crisina. Ainda, este trabalho expõe o maracujá do mato como um importante alvo para o estudo dos produtos naturais no combate à depressão e outras doenças do sistema nervoso central, mostrando a fundamentalidade da investigação da funcionalidade e constituição bioativa desta e outras plantas desta região. / The relationship between stress and depression has been subject of the intense behavioral and pathophysiological research. Within this context, studies have postulated that the hypersecretion of cortisol and the development of a framework of oxidative stress are factors responsible for the occurrence of depression in stressed individuals. As a recent study of mechanism, has also been suggested the role of the neurotrophins and of the enzyme Na+,K+-ATPase in the pathophysiology of depression. Although various antidepressants are already available on the market, the lack of efficacy in whole of patients and the wide occurrence of adverse side effects are a problematic in the treatment of depression. Thus, studies have investigated compounds, mainly natural, which can better meet the clinical requirements without causing undesirable physiological changes. Chrysin is a flavonoid abundant in natural, locally called, the bush passionfruit (Passiflora coerulea), and its therapeutic effects have been explored in models of oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, hypertension and cancer, but its effect on depression is still unknown. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effect of oral treatment with the flavonoid chrysin for 28 days in non-stressed mice and mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in behavioral, biochemical and neurotrophic parameters, compared with the effect of fluoxetine (positive control). The CUMS applied for 28 days decreased the levels of BDNF and NGF and caused the inhibition of the , Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice. Treatment with chrysin (5 or 20mg/kg) not only protected against these changes, but still 20mg/kg increased BDNF and NGF levels above the control group in non-stressed animals and in animals subjected to CUMS. The CUMS induced the reduction in the preference for sucrose, the increase in immobility time in forced swim test (FST) and the increase in plasma corticosterone levels. Besides crysin treatment (5 or 20mg/kg) prevent against these changes in stressed animals, also observed the antidepressant effect of chrysin in the FST in non-stressed animals. The aforementioned data show the effect of antidepressant of crysin in non-stressed and stressed animals, equivalently to fluoxetine, suggesting a possible involvement of NGF and BDNF in the antidepressant effect of chrysin. The protocol CUMS reduced levels of non-protein thiols (NPSH) and raised levels of reactive species (RS) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice. As a possible mechanism of response to these changes, we observed the increase in the activity of enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice subjected to CUMS. Treatment with chrysin (5 or 20mg/kg) protected against these changes, showing the involvement of antioxidant action in the antidepressant effect of chrysin in stressed animals. In conclusion, these data demonstrate the antidepressant effect of chrysin on behavioral and pathophysiological parameters in non-stressed and stressed animals, suggesting a possible involvement of BDNF and NGF in the antidepressant effect of chrysin. Still, this work exposes the passion fruit bush as an important target for the study of natural products in the combat of depression and other diseases of the central nervous system, showing the fundamentality of research of functionality and bioactive constitution these and other plants of this region.

Many plants and animals are defended by toxic compounds, and circumvention of those defenses often has involved the evolution of elaborate mechanisms for tolerance or resistance of the toxins. Toads synthesize potent cardiotonic steroids known as bufadienolides (BDs) from cholesterol and store those toxins in high concentrations in their cutaneous glands. Those toxins protect toads from the majority of predators, including most snakes that readily consume other species of frogs. BDs exert their effect by inhibiting ion transport by the Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA). This ubiquitous transmembrane enzyme consists of a catalytic alpha-subunit, which carries out the enzyme's functions, and a glycoprotein beta-subunit, which provides structural stability. Inhibition of the NKA causes highly elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels and results in often lethal increased cardiac contraction strength. Molecular resistance to bufadienolides in snakes is conferred by mutations in the alpha-subunit of the Na+/K+-ATPase. I have found that these mutations are more prevalent in snakes than previously suggested, and that many genetically resistant species do not feed on toads. This suggests that possession of the mutations alone does not carry substantial negative consequences, and that feeding on toads may have been an ancestral habit in some groups of snakes. I have further found evidence of tissue-specific variation in resistance to bufadienolides, and gene expression investigations revealed that the bufadienolide resistance-conferring mutations are not expressed equally among different organs. Variation in resistance among different tissues indicates that possession of the mutations does not protect all cells equally. Finally, by testing the physiological responses of resistant snakes to exposure to cardiotonic steroid, I have found that feeding on toads incurs negative consequences and that toad-specialized resistant snakes respond differently from nontoad-specialized resistant snakes. The presence of physiological consequences of toxin exposure may explain why feeding on toads has been lost in some lineages of snakes that retain resistance-conferring mutations. In summary, these findings indicate that genetic resistance of the Na+/K+-ATPase is necessary in order for snakes to survive acute toxicity of bufadienolides, but it is not sufficient to explain fully the physiological mechanisms involved in dealing with chronic exposure to the toxins.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toledo, 2006. / "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences." Major advisor: Zi-Jian Xie. Includes abstract. Title from title page of PDF document. Bibliography: pages 64-70, 104-108, 121-158.

The activity of vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in the apical membrane of blowfly (Calliphora vicina) salivary glands is regulated by the neurohormone serotonin (5-HT). 5-HT induces, via protein kinase A, the phosphorylation of V-ATPase subunit C and the assembly of V-ATPase holoenzymes. The protein phosphatase responsible for the dephosphorylation of subunit C and V-ATPase inactivation is not as yet known. We show here that inhibitors of protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A (tautomycin, ocadaic acid) and PP2B (cyclosporin A, FK-506) do not prevent V-ATPase deactivation and dephosphorylation of subunit C. A decrease in the intracellular Mg2+ level caused by loading secretory cells with EDTA-AM leads to the activation of proton pumping in the absence of 5-HT, prolongs the 5-HT-induced response in proton pumping, and inhibits the dephosphorylation of subunit C. Thus, the deactivation of V-ATPase is most probably mediated by a protein phosphatase that is insensitive to okadaic acid and that requires Mg2+, namely, a member of the PP2C protein family. By molecular biological techniques, we demonstrate the expression of at least two PP2C protein family members in blowfly salivary glands. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer in living organisms. The enzyme ATP synthase is primarily responsible for ATP production in eukaryotes. In archaea and some bacteria, ATP is synthesized by V-ATPase that is related to ATP synthase both in structure and function. Both of these enzymes are reversible rotary motors capable of catalyzing ATP synthesis or hydrolysis. The rotation of the central rotor, which is powered by the flow of proton (or sometimes sodium ion) down the electrochemical gradient through the membrane-bound Fo/Vo region, leads to the chemical synthesis of ATP in F1/V1 region. The F1/V1 region, on the other hand, can catalyze ATP hydrolysis, which in turn leads to proton (or sodium) pumping across the membrane through rotation of the central rotor in the opposite direction. This thesis describes structure determination of both the intact F-type and V-type enzymes using single particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM), with the aim of better understanding their overall architecture, subunit organization and the mechanism of proton translocation. Our cryo-EM structural analysis on the F-type ATP synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae uncovered the arrangement of subunits a, b, c, and the two dimer-specific subunits e and g within the membrane-bound region of Fo. A model of oligomerization of the ATP synthase involving two distinct dimerization interfaces was proposed.The rotor-stator interaction within the membrane-bound region of both enzymes is responsible for proton translocation. Our cryo-EM structures of the V-ATPase from Thermus thermophilus reveal that the interaction between the rotary ring (rotor) and the I-subunit (stator) is surprisingly small, with only two subunits from the ring making contact with the I-subunit near the middle of the membrane. Furthermore, the spatial arrangement of transmembrane helices resolved in subunit I can form two passageways that could provide proton access through the membrane-bound region and is consistent with a two-channel model of proton translocation.

For bone resorption, vacuolar-type H+-ATPases (V-ATPases) on the plasma membranes of osteoclasts acidifies the extracellular millieu adjacent to the bone surface. The V-ATPase a3 and d2 subunits are enriched in osteoclasts. B2 subunit is also expressed on the osteoclast plasma membrane. Disruption of genes encoding subunits a3 and d2 impairs bone resorption. In this study, we have shown an interaction between the a3-B2 and a3-d2 subunits. Luteolin and KM91104 were found to be effective inhibitors of the a3-d2 and a3-B2 interactions respectively. Secondary assays revealed luteolin and KM91104 were not toxic to cells, did not affect osteoclastogenesis yet inhibited bone resorption. Furthermore luteolin did not affect V-ATPase subunit formation or assembly. Inhibitors of osteoclast resorption that do not affect osteoclast viability, preserve osteoclast–osteoblast signalling are desirable than existing anti-resorptives. Therefore, V-ATPase a3–d2 and a3-B2 interactions are viable targets for anti-resorptive therapeutics for osteoporosis.

Single particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) is a rapidly developing structural biology technique for the study of macromolecular protein complexes. Presently, cryo-EM fills an important niche by facilitating acquisition of 3-D structures of protein complexes not amenable to structure determination by other techniques. Expansion of cryo-EM beyond this niche requires continued improvement in the types of specimens that can be studied as well as the final resolutions achieved. Two studies were undertaken to address these issues. The first examined resolution limitations by quantifying the effect of beam-induced motion in images of beam-sensitive paraffin crystals. The second explored the possibility of using cryo-EM to study the interaction of small effector proteins with a large multi-protein complex, V-ATPase. The results of these studies exposed the fact that fundamental aspects of the imaging and specimen preparation processes remain poorly understood and must be addressed to facilitate future improvements in cryo-EM structure determination.

For bone resorption, vacuolar-type H+-ATPases (V-ATPases) on the plasma membranes of osteoclasts acidifies the extracellular millieu adjacent to the bone surface. The V-ATPase a3 and d2 subunits are enriched in osteoclasts. B2 subunit is also expressed on the osteoclast plasma membrane. Disruption of genes encoding subunits a3 and d2 impairs bone resorption. In this study, we have shown an interaction between the a3-B2 and a3-d2 subunits. Luteolin and KM91104 were found to be effective inhibitors of the a3-d2 and a3-B2 interactions respectively. Secondary assays revealed luteolin and KM91104 were not toxic to cells, did not affect osteoclastogenesis yet inhibited bone resorption. Furthermore luteolin did not affect V-ATPase subunit formation or assembly. Inhibitors of osteoclast resorption that do not affect osteoclast viability, preserve osteoclast–osteoblast signalling are desirable than existing anti-resorptives. Therefore, V-ATPase a3–d2 and a3-B2 interactions are viable targets for anti-resorptive therapeutics for osteoporosis.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer in living organisms. The enzyme ATP synthase is primarily responsible for ATP production in eukaryotes. In archaea and some bacteria, ATP is synthesized by V-ATPase that is related to ATP synthase both in structure and function. Both of these enzymes are reversible rotary motors capable of catalyzing ATP synthesis or hydrolysis. The rotation of the central rotor, which is powered by the flow of proton (or sometimes sodium ion) down the electrochemical gradient through the membrane-bound Fo/Vo region, leads to the chemical synthesis of ATP in F1/V1 region. The F1/V1 region, on the other hand, can catalyze ATP hydrolysis, which in turn leads to proton (or sodium) pumping across the membrane through rotation of the central rotor in the opposite direction. This thesis describes structure determination of both the intact F-type and V-type enzymes using single particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM), with the aim of better understanding their overall architecture, subunit organization and the mechanism of proton translocation. Our cryo-EM structural analysis on the F-type ATP synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae uncovered the arrangement of subunits a, b, c, and the two dimer-specific subunits e and g within the membrane-bound region of Fo. A model of oligomerization of the ATP synthase involving two distinct dimerization interfaces was proposed.The rotor-stator interaction within the membrane-bound region of both enzymes is responsible for proton translocation. Our cryo-EM structures of the V-ATPase from Thermus thermophilus reveal that the interaction between the rotary ring (rotor) and the I-subunit (stator) is surprisingly small, with only two subunits from the ring making contact with the I-subunit near the middle of the membrane. Furthermore, the spatial arrangement of transmembrane helices resolved in subunit I can form two passageways that could provide proton access through the membrane-bound region and is consistent with a two-channel model of proton translocation.

Les ATPases de type P1 assurent le transport d'ions métalliques lourds tels que le Cu+, le<br />Cd2+ ou le Zn2+ à travers une membrane. Ce transport, qualifié d'actif parce que s'exerçant<br />en sens inverse du gradient électrochimique de l'ion transporté, utilise l'énergie libérée lors<br />de l'hydrolyse de l'ATP. Une étude accomplie en 1992 indique que 36% des Listeria<br />monocytogenes sont résistantes à de hautes concentrations de Cd2+. Cette résistance est<br />associée à la présence de plasmides, parmi lesquels pLm74 qui présente une séquence de<br />2136 paires de bases codant pour un polypeptide de 711 acides aminés nommé CadA. Ce<br />polypeptide possède les 3 séquences signatures des ATPases de type P, les motifs DKTGT,<br />MxTGD et TGDGxNDxP et les 2 séquences signatures des ATPases de type P1, les motifs<br />CXXC et CPC. L'objectif de cette thèse était la recherche des acides aminés constituant la<br />voie de passage du Cd2+ au sein du domaine transmembranaire de CadA. Ce travail a<br />nécessité l'expression de CadA dans la levure Saccharomyces cerevisiae et la<br />caractérisation du phénotype de sensibilité au Cd2+ induit par la présence de CadA. Il a aussi<br />nécessité une étude enzymatique de CadA au cours de laquelle nous avons montré que le<br />Cd-ATP pouvait remplacer le Mg-ATP dans le cycle enzymatique de la protéine. Quatre<br />hélices transmembranaires (3, 4, 6 et 8) constitueraient la voie de passage du Cd2+ dans<br />CadA. Au sein de ces hélices, les acides aminés M149, C354 et T684 pourraient faire partie<br />du site de liaison tandis que E164 et C356 pourraient être importants dans le processus de<br />dissociation du métal. P355 et D692 seraient nécessaires à la phosphorylation de l'enzyme.<br />L'étude des domaines cytoplasmiques N (liaison des nucléotides) et P (phosphorylation) de<br />CadA a été aussi abordée au cours de cette thèse. La caractérisation fonctionnelle<br />d'ATPases chimériques a mis en évidence la possibilité d'échanger le domaine de<br />phosphorylation entre différentes ATPases de type P.