Disulfide bridges play a significant role in protein-folding as well as en- zyme activity and thus regulate many intra- and extracellular processes. Sulfhydryl oxidase QSOX1 forms S-S bridges de novo, modulating the activity of its substrates and thus directly or indirectly influences vital cel- lular processes. The first part of this thesis focuses on characterization of the role of QSOX1 in cancerogenesis, using breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, MDA-MB-231) and pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc-1), while the second part emphasizes the regulation of QSOX1 expression by different oxygen concentrations. To study the effect of QSOX1 on proliferation of triple-negative cancer cells MDA-MB-231, two genetically modified cell lines - QSOX1-overexpressing and QSOX1 knockout cell lines - were constructed. While increased QSOX1 protein levels do not have a significant effect, the absence of QSOX1 leads to a decreased cellular growth. Lack of QSOX1 also results in visible change in cellular morphology. QSOX1 knockout cells can be mostly characterized as more round-shaped with less noticeable or completely missing lamellipo- dia. This finding is with agreement with to-date literature suggesting that QSOX1 is important not only for cellular proliferation but also for migration and invasiveness. While authenticating the theory of...

Human cancers exhibit the common phenotype of elevated glycolytic metabolism, which causes acidification of the tissue microenvironment and may facilitate tumour invasion. In this thesis, we use mathematical models to address a series of open problems underlying the glycolytic tumour phenotype and its attendant acidity. We first explore tissue-scale consequences of metabolically-derived acid. Incorporating more biological detail into a canonical model of acidity at the tumour-host interface, we extend the range of tumour behaviours captured by the modelling framework. We then carry out an asymptotic travelling wave analysis to express invasive tumour properties in terms of fundamental parameters, and find that interstitial gaps between an advancing tumour and retreating healthy tissue, characteristic of aggressive invasion and comprising a controversial feature of the original model, are less significant under our generalised formulation. Subsequently, we evaluate a potential role of lactate---historically assumed to be a passive byproduct of glycolytic metabolism---in a perfusion-dependent metabolic symbiosis that was recently proposed as a beneficial tumour behaviour. Upon developing a minimal model of dual glucose-lactate consumption in vivo and employing a multidimensional sensitivity analysis, we find that symbiosis may not be straightforwardly beneficial for our model tumour. Moreover, new in vitro experiments, carried out by an experimental collaborator, place U87 glioblastoma tumours in a weakly symbiotic parameter regime despite their clinical malignancy. These results suggest that intratumoural metabolic cooperation is unlikely to be an important role for lactate. Finally, we examine the complex pH regulation system that governs expulsion of metabolically derived acid loads across tumour cell membranes. This system differs from the healthy system by expression of only a few key proteins, yet its dynamics are non-intuitive in the crowded and poorly perfused in vivo environment. We systematically develop a model of tumour pH regulation, beginning with a single-cell scenario and progressing to a spheroid, within a Bayesian framework that incorporates information from in vitro data contributed by a second experimental collaborator. We predict that a net effect of pH regulation is a straightforward transmembrane pH gradient, but also that existing treatments are unable to disrupt the system strongly enough to cause tumour cell death. Taken together, our models help to elucidate previously unresolved features of glycolytic tumour metabolism, and illustrate the utility of a combined mathematical, statistical, and experimental approach for testing biological hypotheses. Opportunities for further investigation are discussed.

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A suplementação de &#946;-caroteno em fumantes e alcoólatras pode promover efeitos indesejáveis, manifestando a característica pró-oxidante deste carotenóide. Sabendo que o fígado é o principal órgão de armazenamento de vitamina A e (&#946;-caroteno, e local de oxidação do etanol, o presente estudo buscou investigar no fígado de ratos, a influência da suplementação de (&#946;-caroteno isolado ou associado ao etanol, sobre o metabolismo celular, danos no DNA, proliferação celular e função da proteína p53. Os ratos receberam dietas líquidas contendo (&#946;-caroteno (24mg/L dieta) com (GAB) ou sem (GBC) a adição de etanol (36% da calorias totais da dieta) e dieta líquida normal (isenta de &#946;-caroteno e etanol) (GDN), durante seis semanas de período experimental. Após este período, os animais foram sacrificados para determinações hepáticas e plasmáticas de (&#946;-caroteno, retinol, palmitato de retinila, presença de esteatose, determinações hepáticas de SRATB e GSH, danos no DNA de hepatócitos e expressão do PCNA e da proteína p53. Os resultados mostraram diferenças (p<0,05) entre os grupos quanto as concentrações hepáticas de retinol (&#181;g/g) (GAB: 2,49 ± 0,25; GBC: 4,22 ± 0,24; GDN: 2,83 ± 0,21) e palmitato de retinila (&#181;g/g) (GAB: 40,87 ± 3,98; GBC: 83,72 ± 6,00; GDN: 46,33 ± 3,60), concentração plasmática de retinol (llmol/L) (GAB: 1,42 ± 0,12; GBC: 0,69 ± 0,06; GDN: 2,37 ± 0,28), presença de esteatose (GAB: 2,30 ± 0,21; GBC: 1,00 ± 0,00; GDN: 1,00 ± 0,00), danos no DNA de hepatócitos (danos DNA/100 hepatócitos) (GAB: 285,90 ± 15,20; GBC: 273,83 ± 13,39; GDN: 138,00 ± 4,04) e expressão do PCNA (%0) (GAB: 7,12 ± 1,46; GBC: 1,47 ± 0,27; GDN: 2,04 ± 0,31). As concentrações hepáticas e plasmáticas de &#946;-caroteno, SRATB e GSH hepáticos, não apresentaram diferença (p>0,05) entre os grupos. A proteína p53 não foi expressa em nenhum dos grupos estudados. Estes resultados mostraram que o (&#946;-caroteno isolado e em associação com o etanol não influenciaram na peroxidação lipídica e na expressão da proteína p53. A associação &#946;-caroteno + etanol foi mais prejudicial ao fígado, promovendo alterações no metabolismo celular dos hepatócitos, esteatose, danos no DNA e proliferação celular, considerando que o &#946;-caroteno isolado foi genotóxico ao hepatócito. / &#946;-carotene, when supplemented in smokers and alcohol drinkers may act as prooxidant, resulting in undesirable effects. The liver is the &#946;-carotene and vitamin A main storage organ and where ethanol oxidation takes place. This study investigated in rats\' liver, the influence of &#946;-carotene supplementation either alone or associated with ethanol in cellular metabolism, DNA damage, cellular proliferation and p53 protein function. Three groups of 12 rats received liquid diets containing &#946;-carotene (24mg/L diet) with (BAG) or without (CBG) ethanol (36% of total energy intake). Control animals received liquid diet free of ethanol and &#946;-carotene (NDG). After 6 weeks the animals were sacrificed for hepatic and plasma concentrations of &#946;-carotene, retinol, palmitate retinyl, steatosis, GSH and TBARS, DNA damage, PCNA and p53 expression were evaluated in the liver. Differences were significant for hepatic (BAG: 2.49 ± 0.25; CBG: 4.22 ± 0.24; NDG: 2.83 ± 0.21 mg/g) and plasmatic (BAG: 1.42 ± 0.12; CBG: 0.69 ± 0.06; NDG: 2,37 ± 0,28mmol/L) retinol and hepatic palmitate retinyl (BAG: 40.87 ± 3.98; CBG: 83.72 ± 6.00; NDG: 46.33 ± 3.60), steatosis (BAG: 2.30 ± 0.21; CBG: 1.00 ± 0.00; NDG: 1.00 ± 0.00), DNA damage (BAG: 285.90 ± 15.20; CBG: 273.83 ± 13.39; NDG: 138.00 ±4.04 DNA damages/100 hepatocytes) and PCNA expression (BAG: 7.12 ± 1.46; CBG: 1.47 ± 0.27; NDG: 2.04 ± 0.31) among the groups (p<0.05). Hepatic and plasmatic concentrations of &#946;carotene, TBARS and GSH were not statistically different. p53 staining was not detected in any group. This suggests that &#946;-carotene alone or with ethanol association does not influence lipid peroxidation and p53 expression. &#946;-carotene+ethanol caused metabolic alteration, steatosis, DNA damage and cellular proliferation in hepatocytes. Furthermore, supplementation with &#946;-carotene alone had genotoxic effects in the liver.

A suplementação de &#946;-caroteno em fumantes e alcoólatras pode promover efeitos indesejáveis, manifestando a característica pró-oxidante deste carotenóide. Sabendo que o fígado é o principal órgão de armazenamento de vitamina A e (&#946;-caroteno, e local de oxidação do etanol, o presente estudo buscou investigar no fígado de ratos, a influência da suplementação de (&#946;-caroteno isolado ou associado ao etanol, sobre o metabolismo celular, danos no DNA, proliferação celular e função da proteína p53. Os ratos receberam dietas líquidas contendo (&#946;-caroteno (24mg/L dieta) com (GAB) ou sem (GBC) a adição de etanol (36% da calorias totais da dieta) e dieta líquida normal (isenta de &#946;-caroteno e etanol) (GDN), durante seis semanas de período experimental. Após este período, os animais foram sacrificados para determinações hepáticas e plasmáticas de (&#946;-caroteno, retinol, palmitato de retinila, presença de esteatose, determinações hepáticas de SRATB e GSH, danos no DNA de hepatócitos e expressão do PCNA e da proteína p53. Os resultados mostraram diferenças (p<0,05) entre os grupos quanto as concentrações hepáticas de retinol (&#181;g/g) (GAB: 2,49 ± 0,25; GBC: 4,22 ± 0,24; GDN: 2,83 ± 0,21) e palmitato de retinila (&#181;g/g) (GAB: 40,87 ± 3,98; GBC: 83,72 ± 6,00; GDN: 46,33 ± 3,60), concentração plasmática de retinol (llmol/L) (GAB: 1,42 ± 0,12; GBC: 0,69 ± 0,06; GDN: 2,37 ± 0,28), presença de esteatose (GAB: 2,30 ± 0,21; GBC: 1,00 ± 0,00; GDN: 1,00 ± 0,00), danos no DNA de hepatócitos (danos DNA/100 hepatócitos) (GAB: 285,90 ± 15,20; GBC: 273,83 ± 13,39; GDN: 138,00 ± 4,04) e expressão do PCNA (%0) (GAB: 7,12 ± 1,46; GBC: 1,47 ± 0,27; GDN: 2,04 ± 0,31). As concentrações hepáticas e plasmáticas de &#946;-caroteno, SRATB e GSH hepáticos, não apresentaram diferença (p>0,05) entre os grupos. A proteína p53 não foi expressa em nenhum dos grupos estudados. Estes resultados mostraram que o (&#946;-caroteno isolado e em associação com o etanol não influenciaram na peroxidação lipídica e na expressão da proteína p53. A associação &#946;-caroteno + etanol foi mais prejudicial ao fígado, promovendo alterações no metabolismo celular dos hepatócitos, esteatose, danos no DNA e proliferação celular, considerando que o &#946;-caroteno isolado foi genotóxico ao hepatócito. / &#946;-carotene, when supplemented in smokers and alcohol drinkers may act as prooxidant, resulting in undesirable effects. The liver is the &#946;-carotene and vitamin A main storage organ and where ethanol oxidation takes place. This study investigated in rats\' liver, the influence of &#946;-carotene supplementation either alone or associated with ethanol in cellular metabolism, DNA damage, cellular proliferation and p53 protein function. Three groups of 12 rats received liquid diets containing &#946;-carotene (24mg/L diet) with (BAG) or without (CBG) ethanol (36% of total energy intake). Control animals received liquid diet free of ethanol and &#946;-carotene (NDG). After 6 weeks the animals were sacrificed for hepatic and plasma concentrations of &#946;-carotene, retinol, palmitate retinyl, steatosis, GSH and TBARS, DNA damage, PCNA and p53 expression were evaluated in the liver. Differences were significant for hepatic (BAG: 2.49 ± 0.25; CBG: 4.22 ± 0.24; NDG: 2.83 ± 0.21 mg/g) and plasmatic (BAG: 1.42 ± 0.12; CBG: 0.69 ± 0.06; NDG: 2,37 ± 0,28mmol/L) retinol and hepatic palmitate retinyl (BAG: 40.87 ± 3.98; CBG: 83.72 ± 6.00; NDG: 46.33 ± 3.60), steatosis (BAG: 2.30 ± 0.21; CBG: 1.00 ± 0.00; NDG: 1.00 ± 0.00), DNA damage (BAG: 285.90 ± 15.20; CBG: 273.83 ± 13.39; NDG: 138.00 ±4.04 DNA damages/100 hepatocytes) and PCNA expression (BAG: 7.12 ± 1.46; CBG: 1.47 ± 0.27; NDG: 2.04 ± 0.31) among the groups (p<0.05). Hepatic and plasmatic concentrations of &#946;carotene, TBARS and GSH were not statistically different. p53 staining was not detected in any group. This suggests that &#946;-carotene alone or with ethanol association does not influence lipid peroxidation and p53 expression. &#946;-carotene+ethanol caused metabolic alteration, steatosis, DNA damage and cellular proliferation in hepatocytes. Furthermore, supplementation with &#946;-carotene alone had genotoxic effects in the liver.

Les polyesters aliphatiques, comme le poly(acide malique) et ses dérivés, sont une famille de polymères aux propriétés de bio(comptabilité) et de bio(dégradabilité) remarquables, qui en font des candidats de choix pour l'élaboration de systèmes de vectorisation de principes actifs. Généralement, ces polymères sont synthétisés via des réactions de polymérisation utilisant des amorceurs, voir des catalyseurs, organiques, organométalliques ou métalliques. La présence de ces molécules, même à l'état de traces, peut être à l'origine d'une toxicité non souhaitée. Par conséquent, l'utilisation de biocatalyseurs, comme les lipases, se développe pour apporter une solution à cet inconvénient. Cependant, cette voie de synthèse enzymatique fait face à d'autres problèmes, tels qu'une polymérisation moins bien maîtrisée et des polymères de masses molaires faibles. Cette thèse a donc pour objectif de mettre au point une voie de polymérisation du malolactonate de benzyle utilisant la lipase de pancréas de porc (PPL) comme amorceur. Dans un premier temps, nous avons optimisé certains paramètres réactionnels permettant d'obtenir des poly(malate de benzyle) , PMLABe, de masses molaires suffisamment élevées pour que ces polymères puissent être utilisés dans la formulation de vecteurs de principes actifs, grâce à l'utilisation et l'extrapolation d'un plan d'expérience. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés à la compréhension du mécanisme réactionnel de la polymérisation enzymatique du malolactonate de benzyle, une β-lactone β-substituée. Les différentes études menées ont permis d'approfondir notre connaissance dans ce domaine. Deux mécanismes ont été proposés et des expériences sont en cours pour confirmer l'un d'entre eux. Finalement, comme l'objectif initial est de proposer une méthode de synthèse de dérivés du PMLA plus biocompatibles conduisant à des polymères sans résidus d'amorceurs chimiques toxiques, nous avons comparé les activités biologiques de nanoparticules préparées à partir de PMLABe synthétisés par voie chimique et par voie enzymatique. Pour cela, nous avons mesuré la captation de ces nanoparticules, encapsulant une sonde de fluorescence, par des cellules hépatiques HepaRG. Puis, nous avons évalué la toxicité aiguë et la toxicité chronique de ces nanoparticules vis-à-vis des cellules HepaRG. Ces études ont permis de mettre en évidence certaines propriétés des nanoparticules ayant une influence sur la survie cellulaire et le métabolisme des cellules HepaRG. De la compréhension théorique aux applications potentielles, cette thèse apporte des connaissances sur la polymérisation enzymatique des lactones substituées, un domaine peu décrit dans la littérature. / Aliphatic polyesters, like poly(malic acid)and its derivatives, are a family of polymers with outstanding properties, such as bio(degradability) and bio(compatibility). Therefore, these polyesters can be considered as excellent candidates for the design of drug carriers. These kinds of polymers are usually synthesized thanks to polymerization reactions using organic, organometallic or metallic initiators or catalysts. The presence of such molecules, even in trace amounts, can cause undesired toxicities. Therefore, the use of biocatalysts, like lipases, is attracting more and more interest and research work to circumvent this problem. However, this enzymatic polymerization method has to face to other issues, such as a lower controlled of the polymerization process and polymers with lower molar masses. Therefore, this PhD research work aimed at setting up the enzymatic polymerization of benzyl malolactonate, using porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL). Firstly, we have optimized some reactional parameters allowing to obtain poly(benzyl malate), PMLABe, with molar masses adapted to their uses for the design of drug carriers, thanks to a Design of Experiments (DoE) and its extrapolation. We were then interested by the comprehension of the enzymatic polymerization mechanism of the benzyl malolactonate. The different studies we carried out allowed us to deepen our knowledges of such enzymatic polymerization. Two non-canonical mechanisms were proposed and further experiments are in progress to confirm the one which is the more probable. Finally, because our initial goal was to propose a more biocompatible polymerization method to obtain PMLABe free of traces of chemical initiator, we compared biologic activities of different nanoparticles prepared from PMLABe synthesized using chemical or enzymatic pathway. For that, we have first measured the uptake of these nanoparticles encapsulating a fluorescent dye, by the hepatic cells HepaRG. Then, we have studied the acute and chronic toxicity of the nanoparticles on the HepaRG cells. Results of these studies have highlighted that certain properties of the nanoparticles and/or of the polymers which constituted them have an influence on the cells viability and on the cells metabolism. From the theoretical mechanism to the probable applications, this thesis brings knowledge about the enzymatic polymerization of substituted lactone, a field poorly described in the literature.