Les pertes de la fonction et de la masse des cellules beta pancréatiques jouent un rôle central dans le diabète de type 2 (DT2). Les beta-arrestines 1 et 2 (ARRB1 et ARRB2), sont impliquées dans la sécrétion et/ou la survie des cellules beta pancréatiques.Dans une première étude, afin de caractériser précisément la fonction d’ARRB1 dans les cellules beta pancréatiques, nous avons eu pour objectif de générer des souris invalidées spécifiquement dans ces cellules en utilisant le système Cre/lox sous le contrôle du promoteur Ins1. Des études avaient été publiées à partir des deux lignées Ins1Cre-/+ et Arrb1f/f. Nous avons généré et travaillé sur les souris Arrb1f/f :Ins1Cre-/+. Le phénotype des souris Arrb1f/f :Ins1Cre-/+ était faible et surtout non reproductible comparé aux souris Arrb1f/f :Ins1Cre-/- utilisées comme témoins. Le faible niveau d’expression d'Arrb1 dans les cellules beta et le manque d'anticorps spécifique pour l'immunocytochimie ont rendu difficile la vérification de l'absence d'expression de ARRB1 dans ces cellules. Après séquençage du gène modifié Arrb1 des souris “floxées“, nous avons pu montrer que l'insertion du premier site loxP avait induit un décalage du cadre de lecture introduisant un codon stop et, par conséquent, la non-expression du gène Arrb1. Étant donné que les souris Arrb1 “floxées“ utilisées comme témoins étaient déjà knockout (KO), le projet utilisant ces souris a dû être arrêté.Notre équipe a rapporté l'implication d'ARRB2 dans la régulation de la masse des cellules bêta pancréatique, mais son rôle dans la signalisation du récepteur du Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1R), une cible thérapeutique majeure du DT2, n'avait pas encore été exploré.Nous avons montré, dans une deuxième étude, une meilleure tolérance orale au glucose ainsi qu’une augmentation de la sécrétion d’insuline chez les souris Arrb2 KO par rapport aux souris témoins sur les îlots en présence des concentrations physiologiques circulantes de GLP-1. Ceci est corrélé à une production d’AMPc et un recrutement de la PKA plus élevés dans les cellules beta Arrb2 KO. A l’inverse, l’activation des kinases ERK1/2 est diminuée indiquant un recrutement majeur des ERK1/2 par ARRB2 au GLP-1R. En parallèle, j’ai montré que les taux de ARRB1 et ARRB2 des îlots pancréatiques sont altérés par des conditions diabétogènes et diabétiques. Mes résultats démontrent clairement un rôle critique de ARRB2 dans la signalisation du GLP-1R. Un défaut d’expression de la protéine pourrait participer au déficit des mécanismes de compensation de la masse fonctionnelle des cellules beta conduisant au DT2. / The loss of function and mass of pancreatic beta-cells play a central role in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Beta-arrestin 1 and 2 (ARRB1 and ARRB2) are involved in insulin secretion and/or beta-cell survival. In a first study, in order to characterize the role of ARRB1 in beta-cells, we aimed to invalidate the Arrb1 gene specifically in these cells using the Cre/lox system under the control of the Ins1 promoter. Studies had been published with both Ins1Cre-/+ and Arrb1f/f lines. We generated Arrb1f/f:Ins1Cre-/+ mice. The phenotype of Arrb1f/f :Ins1Cre-/+ mice was weak with a lack of reproducibility compared to Arrb1f/f :Ins1Cre-/- mice used as controls. The low expression level of Arrb1 in beta-cells and the lack of specific antibody for immunocytochemistry made it difficult to verify the absence of expression of ARRB1 in these cells. After sequencing the modified Arrb1 gene of the “floxed” mice, we observed that the insertion of the first loxP site induced a shift in the reading frame introducing a stop codon and, consequently, the non-expression of the Arrb1 gene. Since the “floxed“ Arrb1 mice used as controls were already knockout (KO), the project using these mice was stopped.Our team has reported the involvement of ARRB2 in the regulation of beta-cell mass, but its role in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor signaling, a major therapeutic target for T2D, remained to be explored. In a second study, we showed a better glucose tolerance and an increase in insulin secretion from isolated islets in Arrb2KO compared to control mice in the presence of physiological circulating concentrations of GLP-1. This was correlated with higher cAMP production and PKA activation in Arrb2KO beta-cells. By contrast, the activation of ERK1/2 kinases was decreased indicating a major recruitment of ERK1/2 by ARRB2 to GLP-1R. In parallel, we showed that the expression levels of ARRB1 and ARRB2 in pancreatic islets were altered in diabetogenic and diabetic conditions. My results clearly demonstrate a critical role of ARRB2 in GLP-1R singaling which could impact the function, maintenance and plasticity of beta-cell mass in response to GLP-1. A lack of expression of ARRB2 could participate in the deficit of compensatory mechanisms of the functional beta-cell mass leading to T2D.

Os compostos heterocíclicos oxigenados possuem grande destaque devido à ocorrência em substâncias com atividade biológica, e por sua alta aplicabilidade como intermediários sintéticos e blocos de construção. Neste sentido, estudou-se a obtenção de diidrofuranos e tetraidrofuranos via ciclofuncionalização de β-cetoamidas e β-hidroxiamidas convenientemente substituídas. As metodologias envolveram agentes eletrofílicos como iodo, reagentes de selênio e telúrio, e sais de mercúrio. A preparação das β-cetoamidas α-substituídas partiu dos β-cetoésteres correspondentes. Com a finalidade de confeccionar derivados tetraidrofurânicos assimétricos, foi investigada a síntese de β-hidroxiamidas α-substituídas com controle estereoquímico. Estudou-se sistemáticas de redução diastereosseletiva de γ-sulfinil-β-cetoamidas assimétricas, reações de crômio-Reformatsky e condensação-alquilação \"one pot\" com enolatos de amidas quirais. / Heterocyclic rings with oxygen atom possess large interest due their occurrence in biologically active compounds and their synthetic applicability in building blocks construction. In this way, it was studied the obtainment of dihydrofurans and tetrahydrofurans via cyclofunctionalization of substituted β-ketoamides and β-hydroxyamides. The methodologies applied electhophilic agents as iodine, selenium and tellurium reagents, and mercury salts. The protocol to afford the α-substituted β-ketoamides used the respective β- ketoesters as starting materials. Aiming to produce asymmetric tetrahydrofurans, it was studied the α-substituted β- hydroxyamides synthesis over stereochemistry control. To perform this propose were investigated stereocontrolled reductions of chiral γ-sulfinyl-β-ketoamides, chromium- Reformatsky aldol reactions and the one-pot condensation-alkylation protocol.

Foram purificadas através de uma combinação de cromatografias as duas &#946;- glicosidases digestivas (Mr 47.000 e 50.000 - denominadas &#946;47 e &#946;50, respectivamente) encontradas na larva de S. frugiperda. Experimentos de competição entre substratos e modificação química mostraram que a &#946;47 possui dois sítios ativos. Um desses sítios denominado aril&$946;glicosidase apresenta um subsítio -1 que liga galactose mais eficientemente do enquanto ,que o subsítio +1 prefere pequenos grupos hidrofóbicos cíclicos. O segundo sítio, denominado celobiase, possui um subsítio -1 que prefere glicose. Já a região de ligação do aglicone apresenta 4 subsítios, que ligam glicose com afinidade decrescente à medida que afastam-se do ponto de clivagem do substrato. O cDNA que codifica a &#946;50 foi clonado e sequenciado. Alinhamentos de sequência de aminoácidos, experimentos de competição entre substratos e inibição mostraram que esta enzima possui apenas um sítio ativo. O subsítio -1, cuja especificidade é controlada por uma rede de pontes de hidrogênio, foi estudado comparando-se os parâmetros cinéticos (Kcat e KcaUKm) para a hidrólise de NP&#946;glicosídeos. A região de posicionamento do aglicone, uma fenda hidrofóbica composta de 3 subsítios, foi caracterizada utilizando-se alquil &#946;-glucosídeos e oligocelodextrinas como inibidores. O alinhamento da sequência de aminoácidos da &#946;50 com outras glicosil hidrolases sugeriu quais aminoácidos participariam da ligação do substrato e que o GlU187 (doador de prótons - pKa = 7,5) e o GIU399 (nucleófilo - pKa = 4,5) estão diretamente envolvidos na catálise. Além disso, a Arg97 e a Tyr331 participam indiretamente modulando o pKa do GIU399. r . / Two digestive &#946;-glycosidases (MW 47,000 and 50,000, named &#946;gly47 and &#946;gly50, respectively) whose are found in the S. frugiperda larvae were purified by a combination of chromatographic steps. Substrate competition experiments and chemical modification data showed that &#946;gly47 has two active sites. One of them was called aryl &#946;-glycosidase and presents a -1 subsite that prefers galactose while the +1 subsite binds small cyclic hydrophobic groups. The other active site was called cellobiase and presents 4 subsites that bind glucose residues weaker as they get far from the cleavage point. The cDNA that codes the &#946;gly50 was cloned and sequenced. Amino acid sequence alignment, substrate competition experiments and inhibitions proved that this enzyme has just one active site. The -1 subsite specificity is controlled by a hydrogen bond network as it was showed comparing the kinetic parameters (Kcat and KcatlKm) for some NP&#946;glycosides hydrolysis. The aglycone binding region, a hydrophobic cleft, was studied with alkyl &#946;-glucosides and oligocellodextrins as competitive inhibitors. Amino acid sequence alignment between the &#946;gly50 and other glycosil hydrolases showed the amino acids responsible for the substrate binding and that the GIU<SUB.187 (proton donor - pKa = 7.5) and GIU399 (nucleophile - pKa = 4.5) are directly involved in the catalysis. Beside this, Arg97 and Tyr331 participate indirectly in the catalysis, modulating the nucleophile pKa

Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um novo bioprocesso para a síntese de lactosacarose, um candidato a prebiótico. A lactosacarose foi produzida por transgalactosilação, catalisada pela β-galactosidase de Bacillus circulans imobilizada em macroesfera de quitosana, utilizando a lactose e a sacarose como substratos. No processo de imobilização, os resultados indicam que a melhor razão entre a concentração de enzima e de suporte foi de 200 mg.g-1. A estabilidade térmica da enzima imobilizada foi determinada e comparada com a estabilidade térmica da enzima livre em temperaturas de 50, 60 e 70 °C e para esta última foi verificada a estabilidade na presença e ausência de substrato. A imobilização aumentou de 10 a 260 vezes a estabilidade térmica da enzima, sendo este efeito inversamente relacionado com a temperatura. A otimização das condições de produção indica, para a β-galactosidase imobilizada e livre, que a melhor condição de produção de lactosacarose e de oligossacarídeos totais, ocorre na temperatura de 30 °C e pH 7,0. Nesta condição, após 24 h, foi alcançada a produção de 79 g.L-1 de lactosacarose, 35 g.L-1 de galacto-oligossacarídeos (GOS) e 260 g.L-1 de oligossacarídeos totais. O processo de imobilização possibilitou a reutilização da enzima imobilizada por 30 ciclos, mantendo aproximadamente 95% da concentração inicial de lactosacarose, GOS e oligossacarídeos totais produzidos inicialmente. Portanto, o bioprocesso de imobilização de β-galactosidase de Bacillus circulans em macroesfera de quitosana pode ser considerado um potencial catalisador para produção industrial de lactosacarose. / This work developed a new process for the synthesis of lactosucrose, a candidate for prebiotic. The lactosucrose was produced by transgalactosylation that was catalyzed by a Bacillus circulans β-galactosidase immobilized on macrospheres of chitosan using lactose and sucrose as substrates. In the process of immobilization, the results indicate that the best ratio of the concentration of enzyme and carrier was 200 mg.g-1. The thermal stability of the immobilized enzyme was determined and compared with the thermal stability of the free enzyme at temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 °C and for the latter was verified stability in the presence and absence of substrate. The immobilization increased (10-260 times) the thermal stability of the enzyme, which is inversely related to the temperature. The results of the experiment optimization of lactosucrose production conditions indicate point out that, for free and immobilized β-galactosidase, the best condition lactosucrose production and total oligosaccharides occurs at a temperature of 30 °C and pH 7.0. In this condition, after 24 h, producing 79 g.L-1 lactosucrose was reached, 35 g.L-1 galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and 260 g.L-1 of total oligosaccharides. The immobilization process enabled the reuse of immobilized enzyme for 30 cycles, maintaining approximately 95% of the initial concentration of lactosucrose, GOS and total oligosaccharides produced initially. Therefore, the bioprocess of β-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans immobilization on macrospheres of chitosan can be considered a potential catalyst for industrial.

A resistência das bactérias aos antibióticos é um problema recorrente que dificulta o tratamento de infecções causadas por bactérias. Alguns membros da família Enterobacteriaceae são responsáveis por carrear e disseminar diferentes mecanismos de resistência, entre estes está a capacidade de algumas bactérias em produzir enzimas como as β-lactamases. Tendo em vista esta problemática o objetivo do presente estudo foi detectar/identificar através de análises fenotípicas e genotípicas quais os genes de resistência presentes em amostras ambientais. Para tanto os primeiros ensaios realizados foram os fenotípicos: teste de Hodge Modificado (MHT), testes com inibidores como ácido fenilborônico (APB), EDTA e cloxacilina, e o teste confirmatório para Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). Foram isoladas 131 amostras as quais passaram por uma triagem inicial através do antibiograma, utilizando os antimicrobianos: cefotaxima (30μg), cefpodoxima (10μg), ceftazidima (30μg), ertapenem (10μg), meropenem (10μg), aztreonam ( 30μg). Destas, 62 amostras foram resistentes a pelo menos um antimicrobiano as quais foram submetidas aos demais testes fenotípicos. Os resultados mostram que 40 amostras apresentaram perfil positivo para pelo menos um dos testes fenotípicos. Estas 40 amostras foram submetidas a PCR Multiplex para detecção e caracterização dos principais genes de resistência à β-lactamases: β-lactamase de espectro extendido (ESBL), Carbapenemase e β-lactamase AmpC. Uma vez detectado os genes, foi realizado o sequenciamento dos amplicons para confirmação da presença dos mesmos A relação clonal foi estabelecida utilizando XbaI através da Eletroforese em Campo Pulsado (PFGE). Os resultados mostraram que em 85% dos isolados foi detectada a presença de genes de resistência, dentre os quais observamos as seguintes espécies: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae. A prevalência foi para os genes de β-lactamases com 77,5% (TEM, SHV e CTX-M) seguido por Carbapenemase (KPC e GES) com 45% e AmpC (ACT/MIR) com 2,5%. Este foi o primeiro relato desses genes de resistência em isolados ambientais no município de Porto Alegre/RS. Oito amostras apresentaram três genes de resistência, quatorze amostras dois e 12 com um gene cada. A análise da eletroforese em campo pulsado mostrou uma relação clonal entre alguns isolados de K. pneumoniae que foram separados em três grupos diferentes (K1, K2, K3). Entre os isolados de Enterobacter sp. não foi possível estabelecer uma relação clonal. Fica claro com o trabalho a ocorrência e a capacidade de disseminação desses genes de resistência em amostras ambientais e o potencial risco à saúde da comunidade em geral, tornando-se um problema de saúde pública. / Bacteria resistant to antibiotics are a recurring problem which makes difficult the treatment of bacterial infections. Some members of the Enterobacteriaceae family are responsible for carrying and disseminating different mechanisms of resistance. Among them are strains which produce enzymes such as β-lactamases. In view of this problem the objective of this study was to detect / identify through phenotypic and genotypic analysis which resistance genes present in environmental isolates. For this the first trials were the phenotypic assys: Hodge test Modified (MHT), tests with inhibitors such as phenylboronic acid (APB), EDTA and cloxacillin, and confirmatory test for Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). In the first screening 131 isolates were submitted to antibiogram using following antimicrobials: cefotaxime (30μg), cefpodoxime (10mg), ceftazidime (30μg), ertapenem (10mg), meropenem (10mg), aztreonam (30μg). Out of 62 isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial were submitted to other phenotypic tests. The results show that 40 isolates show a positive profile for at least one phenotypic test. These 40 isolates were submitted to Multiplex PCR for detection and characterization of the major resistance genes for β- lactamases: β-lactamase extended spectrum (ESBL), carbapenemase and β- lactamase AmpC. Once detected the genes, the sequencing of amplicons were performed in order to confirm the presence of the genes. The clonal relationship was established using XbaI endonuclease using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). The results showed that in 85% of the isolates the presence of resistance genes was detected, among which we observed the following species: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae The prevalence was for the β-lactamase gene with 77.5% (TEM, SHV and CTX-M) followed by carbapenemase (KPC and GES) with 45%, and AmpC (ACT / MIR) with 2.5%. This was the first report where these resistance genes were detected in environmental isolates in the city of Porto Alegre/RS. Eight isolates had three resistance genes, fourteen isolates two genes and 12 with one gene. The analysis of pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed a clonal profile among some K. pneumoniae strains which were separated into three groups (K1, K2, K3). Among Enterobacter sp. strains it was not possible to establish a clonal profile. It is clear from the work the occurrence and the ability of disseminate these resistance genes among environmental isolates and the potential health risk to the community and so becoming a public health problem.

by Yip Chi Wai. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-113). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstract in Chinese.

&#946;-1,3-glucanases são enzimas encontradas em muitos organismos, como fungos, bactéria e plantas. Suas funções incluem remodelamento de parede celular, defesa e digestão. É um alvo interessante para o controle populacional de insetos-praga, porque é ausente em vertebrados. Em insetos, é encontrada no intestino de muitas ordens diferentes, e hidrolizam &#946;-1,3 ou &#946;-1,3(4)-glucanas ingeridas, mas pouco se sabe sobre as propriedades e a função dessas enzimas. Nós estudamos três espécies de insetos, de três ordens diferentes. Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera), Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) e Abracris flavolineata (Orthoptera) são insetos herbívoros e pestes de plantações, mas suas beta-1,3-glucanases diferem significativamente. A &#946;- 1,3-glucanase de S. frugiperda (SLAM) foi purificada do intestino médio da larva. Ela apresenta uma massa molecular de 37,5 kDa, um pH ótimo alcalino de 9,0, é ativa contra &#946;-1,3-glucana (laminarina), mas é incapaz de hidrolizar &#946;-1,3-1,6-glucana de levedura ou outros polisacarídeos. SLAM é não-processiva (0,4), e não é inibida por altas concentrações de substrato. Diferente de outras &#946;-1,3-glucanases digestivas de insetos, SLAM é incapaz de lisar células de Saccharomyces cerevisae. O cDNA correspondente à SLAM foi clonado e sequenciado, demonstrando que a proteína pertence à família 16 das Glicosídeo-Hidrolases. A modelagem tridimensional de SLAM, feito com base em homologia de sequência, sugere que o resíduo E228 possa afetar a ionização dos resíduos catalíticos, causando o deslocamento do pH ótimo da enzima. Anti-corpos específicos para SLAM foram produzidos, e estes reagem com uma única proteína oriunda do intestino médio da larva, responsável pela atividade &#946;-1,3- glucanásica majoritária. A imunocitolocalização de SLAM demonstra que a enzima é encontrada em vesículas secretórias e no glicocálix das células colunares, e portanto não é originária de simbiontes. Nós clonamos e sequenciamos o cDNA correspondente à &#946;-1,3-glucanase majoritária presente no intestino médio da larva de T. molitor (TLAM). Ela pertence à família 16 das Glicosídeo-Hidrolases e está relacionada com proteínas ligantes de &#946; -glucanas, da mesma forma que a enzima de S. frugiperda. A modelagem tridimensional por homologia de sequência permitiu identificar alguns resíduos de amino-ácidos (E174, E179, H204, Y304, R127 e R2181) no sítio ativo da enzima, que podem ser importantes para a atividade de TLAM. A &#946;-1,3-glucanase digestiva do gafanhoto Abracris flavolineata (Orthoptera) é diferente das enzimas já estudadas em insetos. Ela apresenta uma estratégia catalítica processiva, liberando glicose como maior parte dos produtos, e é inibida por altas concentrações de substrato. Para estudar as bases estruturais desse mecanismo, nós procuramos obter a sequência de cDNA correspondente à enzima já caracterizada. O alinhamento múltiplo das &#946;-1,3- glucanases de insetos e proteínas ligantes de beta-glucanas indicou que uma duplicação gênica da enzima do ancestral comum de moluscos e artrópodes. Uma cópia originou as beta-1,3-glucanase de insetos, perdendo uma região N-Terminal com cerca de 100 pares de bases, enquanto a outra cópia originou as proteínas ligantes de beta-glucana, perdendo os resíduos catalíticos. / &#946;-1,3-glucanases are widespread enzymes, found in all major groups of invertebrates, fungi, bacteria and plants. Since this enzyme is absent in vertebrates, it constitutes an interesting target for control of insect pests population. Its functions range from cell wall remodeling, defense and digestion. In insects, it is found in the gut of many different orders, hydrolyzing &#946;-1,3 or &#946;-1,3(4)-glucanas, but little is known about the properties and function of these enzymes. We studied three insect species each pertaining to a different order. Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera), Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) and Abracris flavolineata are herbivores and crops pests, but their &#946;-1,3- glucanases differ significantly. S. frugiperda &#946; -1,3-glucanase (SLAM) was purified from the larval midgut. It has a molecular mass of 37.5 kDa, an alkaline optimum pH of 9.0, is active against &#946;-1,3-glucan (laminarin), but cannot hydrolyze yeast &#946;-1,3-1,6-glucan or other polysaccharides. The enzyme is an endoglucanase with low processivity (0.4), and is not inhibited by high concentrations of substrate. In contrast to other digestive &#946;-1,3- glucanases from insects, SLAM is unable to lyse Saccharomyces cerevisae cells. The cDNA encoding SLAM was cloned and sequenced, showing that the protein belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 16 as other insect glucanases and glucan-binding proteins. SLAM homology modeling suggests that E228 may affect the ionization of the catalytic residues, thus displacing the enzyme pH optimum. SLAM antiserum reacts with a single protein in the insect midgut. Immunocytolocalization reveals the presence of the enzyme in secretory vesicles and glycocalyx from columnar cells. We cloned and sequenced the cDNA of T. molitor &#946;-1,3-glucanase. It belongs to glycoside hydrolase family 16, and is related to other insect glucanases and glucan-binding proteins. Sequence analysis and homology modeling allowed the identification of some residues (E174, E179, H204, Y304, R127 and R181) at the active site of the enzyme, which may be important for TLAM activity. The grasshopper A. flavolineata has a &#946;-1,3-glucanase with a processive catalytic strategy. To study the structural basis of this property, we aimed to obtain its encoding sequence to better understand this catalytic mechanism. Multiple sequence alignment of insects &#946;-1,3-glucanases and &#946;-glucan-binding protein indicates that the &#946;- 1,3-glucanase gene duplicated in the ancestor of mollusks and arthropods. One copy originated the insect &#946;-1,3-glucanases after losing a 100 bp N-terminal portion and the arthropode &#946;-glucan-binding proteins by the loss of the catalytic residues.

Se conoce que el modelo lineal normal no es apropiado para situaciones en la que la variable respuesta es una proporción que solo toma valores en un rango limitado (0; 1), pues, se pueden obtener valores ajustados para la variable de inter es que exceden sus límites inferior y superior. Ante dicha situación, una propuesta es utilizar la distribución beta ya que es bastante flexible para modelar proporciones. Este modelo de regresión, sin embargo, puede ser influenciado por la presencia de valores atípicos o extremos. Debido a ello, se ha propuesto en la literatura, un modelo de mayor robustez llamado modelo de regresión beta rectangular, el cual permite una mayor incidencia de tales valores. El objetivo general de la tesis es estudiar las propiedades, estimar y aplicar a un conjunto de datos reales el modelo de regresión beta rectangular desde el punto de vista de la estadística bayesiana. Para cumplir con el objetivo planteado, se estudian las características y propiedades de las distribuciones beta y beta rectangular. Luego, se desarrolla el análisis bayesiano del modelo de regresión beta rectangular considerando las distribuciones a priori y a posteriori, los criterios de selección de modelos y simulaciones de Montecarlo v a cadenas de Markov. También, se realizan estudios de simulación para demostrar que el nuevo modelo es m as robusto que el modelo de regresión beta. Adicionalmente, se presenta una aplicación para mostrar la utilidad del modelo de regresión beta rectangular. / Tesis

Cancer is one of the foremost causes of death worldwide with about 14.1 million new incidences and 8.2 cancer related deaths occurring globally. NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a cap-'n'-collar basic leucine zipper (CNC-bZIP) transcription factor, prevents carcinogenesis through expression of genes that ensure the excretion, enzymatic modification, and repair of oxidative damage in cells containing the antioxidant response element (ARE) in their promoter region. Beyond providing cytoprotection against oxidative stress and xenobiotics, Nrf2 pays a role in maintaining basic physiological processes such as energy metabolism and cell cycle regulation. Whilst Nrf2 plays a pivotal role in preventing degenerative and inflammatory disease, upregulation of Nrf2 promotes tumourigenesis in cancerous cells. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms controlling Nrf2 activity is important in translational medicine. Nrf2 is regulated by proteasomal degradation by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) an E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate adaptor protein that recruits of cullin-3 (Cul3) to Nrf2 via its Neh2 domain. Nrf2 is also negatively regulated by phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) causing β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP) to ubiquitinate Nrf2 by Skp1-Cul1-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase through the Neh6 domain of Nrf2. Several research groups have shown that induction of ARE-driven genes can be regulated by phosphoinositide 3- kinase- protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt/PKB) signalling pathway. The ability of tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-diene-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im), diethyl maleate (DEM), curcumin, carnosol, ferulic acid and sulforaphane (SFN) to activate Nrf2-target genes in a Keap1-dependent or Keap1-independent manner was tested. It was discovered that all compounds, except for SFN, activate Nrf2-target genes in a Keap1-independent manner, inhibiting GSK-3 and functioning through the Neh6 domain of Nrf2. Analysis of the involvement of PI3K-Akt/PKB pathway in Nrf2 activation revealed that regulation of Nrf2 through the PI3K-Akt/PKB pathway is independent of Keap1 but dependent on GSK-3. Also, it was shown that tBHQ, DEM, CDDO-Im, curcumin, ferulic acid directly decreased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) activity, thereby preventing formation of the phosphodegron in the Neh6 domain of Nrf2. With increased Nrf2 levels reported in various cancers including lung cancer, leading to the progression of these cancers, Nrf2 can be seen as a double-edged sword. Loss-of-function somatic mutations in KEAP1 as well as somatic mutation in NFE2L2 has been reported in several human cancers playing a role in the development of such cancer. Using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate stable Nrf2 knockdown A549 and H460 cells, the second part of this thesis investigated biochemical and physiological changes that occur, when the Nrf2 is genetically downregulated, and further on to determine what mechanism(s) is responsible for decreased cell proliferation in tumours. The findings obtained confirm that downregulation of Nrf2 from the human non-small lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line A549 and H460, in which Nrf2 is upregulated though somatic mutations in KEAP1, results in decreased cell proliferation. Analysis of the genes involved in NADPH generation and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) show that decrease in Nrf2 caused a decrease in the expression of genes involved in PPP. Although knockdown of Nrf2 resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation, it was shown that this decrease was not as a result of cell death. Nrf2 is able to control cell proliferation by induction of metabolic reprogramming geared towards favoring anabolic pathways and influencing the PPP as well as provide energy source required for cell proliferation.

archives@tulane.edu / Glucocorticoid-induced negative feedback of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is rapidly achieved by two mechanisms: desensitization of the corticotropin releasing hormone-producing neurons to excitatory noradrenergic inputs by internalization of the α-1 receptor and suppression of excitatory synaptic input via production of an endocannabinoid retrograde messenger. Several previously undetermined signaling factors in the glucocorticoid-induced endocannabinoid release were identified here. The glucocorticoid-induced desensitization to adrenergic receptor signaling was revealed to involve α-1 receptor intracellular trafficking to the late endosome. The physiological significance and therapeutic targets of attenuation of the stress response to noradrenergic inputs was also investigated using electrophysiology and pharmacogenetics. These experiments indicate that desensitization to norepinephrine selectively attenuates the stress response to physiological over psychological stressors. These rapid interactions between glucocorticoids and adrenoreceptor trafficking and endocannabinoid synthesis represent novel glucocorticoid signaling mechanisms through G-protein coupled receptors. / 1 / Grant L. Weiss