Small molecule mitochondrial uncouplers are compounds that dissipate the proton motive force independent of ATP synthase that results in increased energy expenditure. Mild mitochondrial uncoupling has therapeutic potential in treating obesity, diabetes, neurological diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and aging. Our group has previously reported the discovery of a small molecule mitochondrial uncoupler BAM15, which was efficacious in an obesity mouse model. Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of two scaffolds as well as their characterization as mitochondrial uncouplers through a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. Compounds that pass as bona fide mitochondrial uncouplers are administered in mice to determine pharmacokinetic properties and promising compounds are then tested in a mouse model of obesity. The first series of mitochondrial uncouplers are anilinopyrazines. By changing the substitution pattern and electronics on the aniline rings, our investigations reveal the importance of the proximity of aniline rings on the pyrazine core, with the 2,3-positions being crucial for uncoupling activity. We found that mitochondrial uncouplers 2.5g and 2.5l elicited a maximum oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of 260% and 343% with an EC50 of 2.5 and 5.9 µM, respectively. Utilizing the knowledge gained from the anilinopyrazine series, we designed a second novel chemical scaffold based on a related BAM15 analog 6-amino-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazin-5-ol. The new series of 6-amino-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ol derivatives have a pyridine instead of pyrazine core that is decorated with aniline substituents. We found that derivatives with electron withdrawing groups (EWG) substitutions in the 2,5-position on the aniline ring exhibited the greatest uncoupling activity compared to other structural isomers. Strong EWGs CF3/OCF3/SO2CF3 were well tolerated and demonstrated the highest uncoupling activity compared to other EWGs. Our studies indicated that placement of the hydroxyl group in the 2-position of the pyridine moiety was crucial for uncoupling activity. Several of the most promising compounds tested in vitro were examined in vivo and found to have good oral bioavailability in mice with ranges in Cmax of 10-90 µM and t1/2 of 0.9 to >24 hours. We found that analogs that have F/OCF3/SO2CF3 groups on the 4-position exhibited the longest t1/2 compared to other structural isomers, suggesting that this position is a site of metabolic lability. Among the 51 derivatives tested, SHM20519115 demonstrated mild uncoupling activity with 48% BAM15 OCR and an EC50 of 17.1 µM in L6 myoblast cells. SHM20519115 was found to have good oral bioavailability with a Cmax of 57 µM and a t1/2 of 4.4 hours. Additionally, SHM20519115 had significant distribution in adipose tissue where it can promote mitochondrial uncoupling. In a mouse model of obesity, SHM20519115 prevented fat mass gain by 59% compared to the western diet (WD) control group. Importantly, weight loss did not alter lean mass or food intake. Further characterization demonstrated that SHM20519115 prevented glucose and insulin intolerance in mice. Taken together, our investigations support the utility of mitochondrial uncouplers for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders. / Doctor of Philosophy / Obesity is commonly considered a modern-day epidemic with more than 40% of adult Americans being classified as obese. The higher prevalence of obesity over the course of the last century has been attributed to a more sedentary lifestyle and high calorie diet. Obesity has been shown to negatively impact every organ system and increases the risk for heart disease, cancer, neurological diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and diabetes. Moreover, obesity has further burdened the healthcare system with an estimated expenditure of $190 billion a year in the US. Although diet and exercise has shown excellent results in weight loss, long-term compliance with these regiments is extremely low. Current non-invasive treatments provide varying efficacies and a myriad of side-effects. Invasive procedures, which is restricted to those who are classified as 'morbidly obese' with a BMI > 40, have shown excellent results in facilitating weight loss but come with high cost and risks to patients. This excludes individuals in the BMI range of 30-40 unless they are qualified with additional comorbidities. In recent years, mitochondrial uncouplers have reemerged as a potential therapeutic treatment for obesity. This dissertation discusses the structure-activity relationship study of anilinopyrazines and 6-amino-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ol derivatives as mitochondrial uncouplers. Building on previous work on BAM15, we investigated uncoupling activity of anilinopyrazines. We discovered that although anilinopyrazines were previously found to be inactive, modifications to the aniline rings could result in uncoupling activity. We found that strong electron withdrawing groups placed in the meta and para positions were most favorable. We also determined that the 2,3-disubstitution on the aniline rings was crucial for uncoupling activity. From this study, we discovered 2.5g and 2.5l that elicited a maximum oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of 260 and 343% with EC50 of 2.5 and 5.9 µM, respectively. Furthermore, we recently reported a new series of 6-amino-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ol derivatives and identified SHM20519115 as a mitochondrial uncoupler. Our studies determined that SHM20519115 demonstrated mild uncoupling activity with 48% BAM15 OCR with an EC50 of 17.1µM in L6 myoblasts cells. In a mouse model of obesity, SHM20519115 was found to be efficacious at a 130 mg/kg dose. Pharmacokinetic studies SHM20519115 showed greater overall distribution in adipose tissue in mice. Additionally, when examined in a mouse obesity prevention model, SHM20519115 successfully prevented 59% fat mass gain compared to the western diet (WD) control group. Finally, we found that SHM20519115 prevents glucose and insulin intolerance in mice. Taken together, these results support a role for mitochondrial uncouplers in the treatment of obesity.

Centromere binding factor 1 (Cbf1) is a transcription factor that controls the transcription of many genes involved in cellular respiration and lipid biogenesis and, as such, has been associated with hypolipidemia in humans. It is a known substrate for PAS kinase, which phosphorylates Cbf1 and alters its activity. Our hypothesis is that this phosphorylation affects the genes it regulates and the DNA motifs it binds to, perhaps due to different transcription complexes being formed. In this study, we conduct a chromatin immunoprecipitation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to determine what genes and DNA motifs Cbf1 binds to in its wild type versus phosphosite mutant forms. We discovered several motifs that may be specific to each Cbf1 form, however further evidence is necessary. We were able to identify five motifs in reads associated with phosphosite Cbf1, while reads associated with wild type Cbf1 had 16 motifs, with no overlap between the motifs found from the two forms. This may be due to phosphorylated Cbf1 having more binding partners. Cbf1 regulated genes and possible transcription complex binding partners are proposed.

O Paracoccidioides brasiliensis é agente etiológico da paracoccidioidomicose, uma micose sistêmica prevalente na América Latina. Este fungo é termodimórfico vivendo na forma de micélio em temperatura ambiente (25ºC) e sob a forma de levedura entre 35 e 37ºC. Neste trabalho identificamos e estudamos 15 novos genes de P. brasiliensis envolvidos na expressão do complexo da citocromo c oxidase mitocondrial (COX). Os genes PbCOX6, PbCOX17, PbCOX19 e PbOXA1 são capazes de substituir a função de seus homólogos nos respectivos mutantes de S. cerevisiae. Os genes analisados são modulados durante o processo de transição morfológica tanto de micélio para levedura quanto de levedura para micélio, evidenciando a importância dos genes relacionados á respiração celular para o estabelecimento da patogenicidade do fungo. Análise da estrutura genômica destes genes indica a presença de introns e evidências de processamento alternativo dos genes. Demonstou-se a produção de compostos bioativos sideróferos em P. brasiliensis sendo detectada sua secreção em meios sólidos e líquidos. / Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the ethologic agent of the paracoccioidomycose, a systemic mycosis prevalent in Latin American. This is a thermo dimorphic fungus living in the mycelium form at room temperature (25ºC) and in the yeast form between 35 ºC e 37 ºC. In this work we identified and study fifteen (15) new P. brasiliensis genes involved in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase expression (COX). The genes PbCOX6, PbCOX17, PbCOX19 e PbOXA1 were able to functionally replace its homologues in the respective S. cerevisiae null mutant. All P. brasiliensis genes analyzed have their expression modulated during the morphologic transition from mycelium to yeast as well as from yeast to mycelium. This observation highlighted the importance of the respiration related genes in the fungus pathogenicity establishment. Genomic structure analyzes of these genes confirmed introns presence as well as evidenced the alternative splicing occurrence. It was demonstrated bioactive compounds siderofore production in P. brasiliensis been detected siderofore secretion in the solids and liquid medium.

A mitocôndria é um componente essencial para a célula eucariótica, sendo que mutações que comprometam seu funcionamento podem causar as doenças mitocondriais. Estudos a respeito da biogênese mitocondrial para compreender seu funcionamento são importantes para que seja possível elaborar novas formas de tratamento. Saccharomyces cerevisiae é considerada o melhor modelo de estudo de biogênese mitocondrial. Neste trabalho, estudamos o gene nuclear MSC6, de S. cerevisiae, que foi capaz de suprimir a mutação dominante produzida no gene HER2/QRS1, um gene essencial no processo de tradução mitocondrial. A proteína codificada por MSC6 não tinha função conhecida. Verificamos sua presença na matriz mitocondrial, e que a sua ausência prejudica o processo respiratório. Também verificamos uma possível interação de Msc6p com Fmt1p, uma enzima envolvida no início do processo de tradução mitocondrial. Ficou clara a participação de Msc6p no processo traducional mitocondrial, mas novos estudos serão necessários para determinar sua função específica. / Mitochondria is necessary in many cellular processes, therefore, compromised mutations of its operation can cause severe damage to the cell, known as mitochondrial disorders. Thus is necessary the realization of mitochondrial biogenesis studies in order to fully understand its functioning in health and disease. Mitochondria biogenesis studies are favored in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work, we have studied the MSC6 nuclear gene of S. cerevisiae that was able to suppress the HER2/QRS1 dominant mutant, another essential gene for the mitochondrial translation process. Msc6p has a PPR protein motif likely associated to RNA binding but with unknown function. We discovered that Msc6p is localized in the mitochondrial matrix, also that disruption of MSC6 implies in respiratory. We also find a possible interaction between Msc6p and Fmt1p, an enzyme required for mitochondrial translation initiation. In conclusion, is clear the role of MSC6 in the mitochondrial translational process, but further studies are required to indicate the specific function of Msc6p.

O Paracoccidioides brasiliensis é agente etiológico da paracoccidioidomicose, uma micose sistêmica prevalente na América Latina. Este fungo é termodimórfico vivendo na forma de micélio em temperatura ambiente (25ºC) e sob a forma de levedura entre 35 e 37ºC. Neste trabalho identificamos e estudamos 15 novos genes de P. brasiliensis envolvidos na expressão do complexo da citocromo c oxidase mitocondrial (COX). Os genes PbCOX6, PbCOX17, PbCOX19 e PbOXA1 são capazes de substituir a função de seus homólogos nos respectivos mutantes de S. cerevisiae. Os genes analisados são modulados durante o processo de transição morfológica tanto de micélio para levedura quanto de levedura para micélio, evidenciando a importância dos genes relacionados á respiração celular para o estabelecimento da patogenicidade do fungo. Análise da estrutura genômica destes genes indica a presença de introns e evidências de processamento alternativo dos genes. Demonstou-se a produção de compostos bioativos sideróferos em P. brasiliensis sendo detectada sua secreção em meios sólidos e líquidos. / Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the ethologic agent of the paracoccioidomycose, a systemic mycosis prevalent in Latin American. This is a thermo dimorphic fungus living in the mycelium form at room temperature (25ºC) and in the yeast form between 35 ºC e 37 ºC. In this work we identified and study fifteen (15) new P. brasiliensis genes involved in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase expression (COX). The genes PbCOX6, PbCOX17, PbCOX19 e PbOXA1 were able to functionally replace its homologues in the respective S. cerevisiae null mutant. All P. brasiliensis genes analyzed have their expression modulated during the morphologic transition from mycelium to yeast as well as from yeast to mycelium. This observation highlighted the importance of the respiration related genes in the fungus pathogenicity establishment. Genomic structure analyzes of these genes confirmed introns presence as well as evidenced the alternative splicing occurrence. It was demonstrated bioactive compounds siderofore production in P. brasiliensis been detected siderofore secretion in the solids and liquid medium.

A mitocôndria é um componente essencial para a célula eucariótica, sendo que mutações que comprometam seu funcionamento podem causar as doenças mitocondriais. Estudos a respeito da biogênese mitocondrial para compreender seu funcionamento são importantes para que seja possível elaborar novas formas de tratamento. Saccharomyces cerevisiae é considerada o melhor modelo de estudo de biogênese mitocondrial. Neste trabalho, estudamos o gene nuclear MSC6, de S. cerevisiae, que foi capaz de suprimir a mutação dominante produzida no gene HER2/QRS1, um gene essencial no processo de tradução mitocondrial. A proteína codificada por MSC6 não tinha função conhecida. Verificamos sua presença na matriz mitocondrial, e que a sua ausência prejudica o processo respiratório. Também verificamos uma possível interação de Msc6p com Fmt1p, uma enzima envolvida no início do processo de tradução mitocondrial. Ficou clara a participação de Msc6p no processo traducional mitocondrial, mas novos estudos serão necessários para determinar sua função específica. / Mitochondria is necessary in many cellular processes, therefore, compromised mutations of its operation can cause severe damage to the cell, known as mitochondrial disorders. Thus is necessary the realization of mitochondrial biogenesis studies in order to fully understand its functioning in health and disease. Mitochondria biogenesis studies are favored in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work, we have studied the MSC6 nuclear gene of S. cerevisiae that was able to suppress the HER2/QRS1 dominant mutant, another essential gene for the mitochondrial translation process. Msc6p has a PPR protein motif likely associated to RNA binding but with unknown function. We discovered that Msc6p is localized in the mitochondrial matrix, also that disruption of MSC6 implies in respiratory. We also find a possible interaction between Msc6p and Fmt1p, an enzyme required for mitochondrial translation initiation. In conclusion, is clear the role of MSC6 in the mitochondrial translational process, but further studies are required to indicate the specific function of Msc6p.

No description available.

Integrate the NGSS and CCSS ELA by using a cycle of science and ELA activities to help students learn about the flow of energy between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Mutantes respiratórios de Saccharomyces cerevisiae podem apresentar uma ampla variedade de instabilidade do mtDNA. Nós analisamos diferentes classes de mutantes e observamos uma elevada instabilidade nos mutantes que não possuem a coenzima Q (CoQ) funcional. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos das alterações no estado redox da coenzima Q sobre a estabilidade do mtDNA de diferentes linhagens de S. cerevisiae. No mutante <font face=\"Symbol\">Dcoq10, que sintetiza CoQ não funcional, a inativação das NADH desidrogenases individuais Ndi1p e Nde1p, resultou numa menor instabilidade do mtDNA, acompanhada por uma diminuição na taxa de liberação de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2). Por outro lado, a super-expressão de Nde1p aumentou a instabilidade do mutante <font face=\"Symbol\">Dcoq10. A inativação das NADH desidrogenases na linhagem <font face=\"Symbol\">Dcoq4, deficiente na síntese da CoQ, não reduziu a instabilidade do mtDNA. Juntos, os resultados indicam que alterações no estado de oxido-redução da coenzima Q influenciam a estabilidade do mtDNA, provavelmente através da produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio. / Saccharomyces cerevisiae respiratory mutants can show a wide range of mtDNA instability. We analyze different classes of mutants and observed a higher instability among mutants lacking a functional coenzyme Q (CoQ). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alterations in the redox state of coenzyme Q on the stability of mtDNA mitochondrial in different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In <font face=\"Symbol\">Dcoq10 mutant, which synthesizes CoQ nonfunctional, inactivation of individual NADH dehydrogenases Ndi1p Nde1p has shown a decreased mtDNA instability, which was accompanied by a decrement in the rate of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) release. Moreover, overexpression of Nde1p increased instability <font face=\"Symbol\">Dcoq10 mutant. The inactivation of individual NADH dehydrogenases in <font face=\"Symbol\">Dcoq4 strain which is deficient in the synthesis of CoQ, did not reduce the instability of the mtDNA. All the results indicate that changes in the redox state of coenzyme Q influence the stability of mtDNA, probably by the production of reactive oxygen species.

We will combine hands-on science investigations with supporting literacy activities to help students build conceptual models of photosynthesis.