Stroke is one of the leading causes of human death in the United States. The debilitating effects of an ischemic stroke are due to the fact that mammalian neurons are highly susceptible to hypoxia and subsequent oxygen reperfusion. From studies in Drosophila melanogaster, cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase (PKG) enzyme is thought to affect anoxia tolerance by modifying the electrical current through potassium ion channels. In this research, two animal models were employed: Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian neurons exposed to stroke-like conditions. First, in vivo studies using Drosophila were performed to further our knowledge about the differences between the naturally occurring variants of the Drosophila foraging gene, which shows different protein levels of PKG. Mitochondrial density and metabolic activity between two fly genotypes exposed to anoxia and reoxygenation were compared. It was found that flies with less enzyme potentially showed mitochondrial biogenesis and higher metabolic rates upon reoxygenation. Next, in vivo studies where PKG enzyme was activated pharmacologically were performed; it was found that the activation of the cGMP/PKG pathway led to neuroprotection upon anoxia and reoxygenation. Furthermore, this model was translated into the in vitro model using Drosophila cells. Instead of anoxia and reoxygenation, hypoxia mimetics and hydrogen peroxide were used to induce cellular injury. After showing the cGMP/PKG pathway activation-induced cell protection, the potential downstream targets of the molecular signaling as well as underlying biochemical changes were assessed. It was found that mitochondrial potassium ion channels were involved in the protective signaling and the signaling modulated metabolic function. Furthermore, it was found that acidosis protected Drosophila cells from cell death, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress. Finally, this research was translated to a mammalian in vitro model of neuronal damage upon stroke-like conditions; there, it was demonstrated that the cGMP/PKG pathway activation in rat primary cortical neurons and human cortical neurons was protective from low oxygen and acute oxidative stress. The results of this study lead to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms taking place during low oxygen and oxidative stresses. Consequently, this knowledge may be used to identify potential therapeutic targets and treatments that may prevent detrimental neurological effects of an ischemic stroke in humans. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Diseases such as epilepsy, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders are associated with changes in neuronal dysfunction due to an imbalance of excitation and inhibition. This work details a novel electroconvulsive seizure assay for C. elegans using the well characterized cholinergic and GABAergic excitation and inhibition of the body wall muscles and the resulting locomotion patterns to better understand neuronal excitability. The time to recover normal locomotion from an electroconvulsive seizure could be modulated by increasing and decreasing inhibition. GABAergic deficits and a chemical proconvulsant resulted in an increased recovery time while anti-epileptic drugs decreased seizure duration. Successful modulation of excitation and inhibition in the new assay led to the investigation of a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) which modulates potassium (K+) channels, affecting neuronal excitability, and determined that increasing PKG activity decreases the time to recovery from an electroconvulsive seizure. The new assay was used as a forward genetic screening tool using C. elegans and several potential genes that affect seizure susceptibility were found to take longer to recover from a seizure. A naturally occurring polymorphism for PKG in D. melanogaster confirmed that both genetic and pharmacological manipulation of PKG influences seizure duration. PKG has been implicated in stress tolerance, which can be affected by changes in neuronal excitability associated with aging, so stress tolerance and locomotor behavior in senescent flies was investigated. For the first time, PKG has been implicated in aging phenotypes with high levels of PKG resulting in reduced locomotion and lifespan in senescent flies. The results suggest a potential new role for PKG in seizure susceptibility and aging. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The human brain functions within a narrow range of temperatures and variations outside of this range incur cellular damage and death and, ultimately, death of the organism. Other organisms, like the poikilotherm Drosophila melanogaster, have adapted mechanisms to maintain brain function over wide ranges in temperature and, if exposed to high temperatures where brain function is no longer supported, these animals enter a protective coma to promote survival of the organism once the acute temperature stress is alleviated. This research characterized the role of different neuronal cell types, including glia, in the protection of brain function during acute hyperthermia, specifically looking at two protective pathways: the heat shock protein (HSP) pathway and the cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG) pathway. Whole animal behavioral assays were used in combination with tissue-specific genetic manipulation of protective pathways to determine the specific cell types sufficient to confer protection of neuronal function during acute hyperthermia. Using the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) preparation, calcium imaging techniques were combined with pharmacological and genetic manipulations to test the hypothesis that alterations in ion channel conductance via endogenous mechanisms regulating the cellular response to high temperature stress alter neuronal function. Expression of foraging RNAi to inhibit PKG expression in neurons or glia demonstrated protection of function during acute hyperthermia measured behaviorally through the extension of locomotor function. This extension of function with the tissue-specific inhibition of PKG was also confirmed at the cellular level using the genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI), GCaMP3, to image calcium dynamics at the NMJ, where preparations expressing foraging RNAi could continue to elicit changes in calcium dynamics in response to stimulation. Over the course of this study, the mechanism underlying a novel glial calcium wave in the peripheral nervous system was characterized in order to elucidate glia’s role in the protection of neuronal function during acute hyperthermia. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Reproduction de : Thèse doctorat : Pharmacie.Biochimie-Biologie moléculaire : Reims : 2007. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. p.186-218.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-135).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2008. / Title from title page. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

Orientador: Carlos Amilcar Parada / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T11:05:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DosSantos_GilsonGoncalves_M.pdf: 2757194 bytes, checksum: 3b5bda3ca0fc7912d13b42ba51399734 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A dipirona (metamizol) é um pró-fármaco analgésico utilizado no controle da dor moderada, sendo metabolizada em dois metabolitos bioativos: 4-metil-aminoantipirina (4-MAA) e 4-aminoantipirina (4-AA). O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a participação de receptores canabinóides periféricos, CB1, CB2 e canais de KATP sobre o efeito anti-hiperalgésico da dipirona, 4-MAA ou 4- AA. Para indução de hiperalgesia, PGE2 (100 ng/pata ) foi administrada localmente na pata traseira de ratos Wistar machos, e o limiar hiperalgésico mecânico foi quantificado por Von- Frey eletrônico, antes e três horas após a injeção. Dipirona, 4-MAA ou 4-AA foram administrados 30 minutos antes do Von Frey. Os antagonistas seletivos do receptor CB1 (AM251), CB2 (AM630) e glibenclamida, um bloqueador KATP (80 ug) ou ODQ um inibidor de cGMP (32 ?g) foram administrados 30 minutos antes da Dipirona, 4-MAA ou 4 -AA. O ODN-antisense para reduzir a expressão do receptor CB1 (30 ?g) foi administrado por via intratecal, uma vez por dia durante quatro dias consecutivos. A hiperalgesia mecânica induzida pela PGE2 foi reduzida pela dipirona, 4-MAA, e 4-AA de maneira dose-dependente. AM251 ou ODN-antisense contra o receptor neuronal CB1, mas não AM630, reduziu o efeito anti-hiperalgésico mediado por 4-AA, mas não da dipirona ou 4-MAA. Por outro lado, o efeito anti-hiperalgésico da dipirona, ou 4-MAA foi revertido por glibenclamida ou ODQ. Os resultados sugerem que a ativação de receptores neuronal CB1, mas não do receptor CB2, no tecido periférico esteja envolvido no efeito anti-hiperalgésico do metabólito 4-AA. Além disso, a dipirona e 4-MAA possui um efeito anti-hiperalgesico dependente de cGMP e consequente abertura KATP / Abstract: Dipyrone (metamizole) is an analgesic pro-drug used to control moderate pain. It is metabolized in two bioactive metabolites: 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA). The aim of this study was to investigate the participation of peripheral CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors activation on the anti-hyperalgesic effect of Dypirone, 4-MAA or 4-AA. For induction of hyperalgesia, PGE2 (100 ng) was locally administrated in hindpaw of male Wistar rats, and the mechanical nociceptive threshold was quantified by electronic von-Frey, before and 3 hours after its injection. Dypirone, 4-MAA or 4-AA was administrated 30 minutes before the von-Frey test. The selective CB1 receptor antagonist AM251, CB2 receptor antagonist AM630, cGMP inhibitor ODQ (32 ?g) or KATP blocker glibenclamide (80 ?g) was administrated 30 minutes before Dypirone, 4-MAA or 4-AA. The antisense-ODN against CB1 receptor expression (30 ?g) was intrathecally administrated once a day during four consecutive days. PGE2-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was inhibited by dypirone, 4-MAA, and 4-AA in a dose-response manner. AM251 or ODN anti-sense against neuronal CB1 receptor, but not AM630, reversed the antihyperalgesic effect mediated by 4-AA, but not by dypirone or 4-MAA. On the other hand, the anti-hyperalgesic effect of dypirone or 4-MAA was reversed by Glibenclamide or ODQ. These results suggest that the activation of neuronal CB1, but not CB2 receptor, in the peripheral tissue is involved in the anti-hyperalgesic effect of 4-aminoantipyrine. In addition, 4- methylaminontipyrine mediates anti-hyperalgesic effect by the cGMP activation and the KATP opening / Mestrado / Fisiologia / Mestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

No / Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promotes unregulated platelet activation in dyslipidemic disorders. Although oxLDL stimulates activatory signaling, it is unclear how these events drive accelerated thrombosis. Here, we describe a mechanism for oxLDL-mediated platelet hyperactivity that requires generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under arterial flow, oxLDL triggered sustained generation of platelet intracellular ROS, which was blocked by CD36 inhibitors, mimicked by CD36-specific oxidized phospholipids, and ablated in CD36(-/-) murine platelets. oxLDL-induced ROS generation was blocked by the reduced NAD phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2) inhibitor, gp91ds-tat, and absent in NOX2(-/-) mice. The synthesis of ROS by oxLDL/CD36 required Src-family kinases and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent phosphorylation and activation of NOX2. In functional assays, oxLDL abolished guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated signaling and inhibited platelet aggregation and arrest under flow. This was prevented by either pharmacologic inhibition of NOX2 in human platelets or genetic ablation of NOX2 in murine platelets. Platelets from hyperlipidemic mice were also found to have a diminished sensitivity to cGMP when tested ex vivo, a phenotype that was corrected by infusion of gp91ds-tat into the mice. This study demonstrates that oxLDL and hyperlipidemia stimulate the generation of NOX2-derived ROS through a CD36-PKC pathway and may promote platelet hyperactivity through modulation of cGMP signaling. / the British Heart Foundation (PG/11/37/28884 and PG/13/90/30578) and Heart Research UK (RG2614)

Wong Cheuk Ying. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-124). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iv / Acknowledgement --- p.vi / List of Abbreviations --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1. --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Methods --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Measurement of cAMP and cGMP in VSMCs --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cell culture --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Enzyme-immunoassay colorimetric measurement for cAMP and cGMP --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- Measurement of apoptosis in VSMCs and bone marrow-derived stem cells --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Hoechst33258 --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Cell Death ELISA plus --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Protein extraction and Western blot analysis of PKG expression --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- Measurement of cell proliferation in VSMCs and bone marrow-derived stem cells --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Cell culture --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Cell count --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- MTT assay --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- BrdU-(5`Bromo-2-deoxyuridine) ELISA colorimetric assay --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.12 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Effects of hyperglycemia on CGRP-induced cAMP response in VSMCs / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.13 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results --- p.18 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Role of cGMP and protein kinase G in regulation of apoptosis in VSMCs / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.26 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.30 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion --- p.44 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Role of protein kinase G in regulation of proliferation in VSMCs / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.55 / Chapter 5.2 --- Results --- p.58 / Chapter 5.3 --- Discussion --- p.67 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Effects of aging and eNOS- and iNOS-gene deletion (using eNOS- and iNOS-knockout mice) on apoptosis of VSMCs / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.73 / Chapter 6.2 --- Results --- p.76 / Chapter 6.3 --- Discussion --- p.79 / Chapter Chapter 7. --- Role of protein kinase G in regulation of apoptosis and proliferation of bone marrow stromal stem cells / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 7.2 --- Results --- p.84 / Chapter 7.3 --- Discussion --- p.92 / Chapter Chapter 8. --- Overall discussion --- p.95 / Chapter Chapter 9. --- References --- p.101