Cystein spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der Biochemie vieler Proteine. Aufgrund der Redox-Eigenschaften und der hohen Reaktivität der freien Thiol-Gruppe sowie dessen Fähigkeit Metallionen zu koordinieren, ist Cystein oft Bestandteil von katalytischen Zentren vieler Enzyme. Zudem lassen sich Cysteine durch reaktive Sauerstoff- und Stickstoffspezies leicht reversibel oxidativ modifizieren. In den letzten Jahren wurde gezeigt, dass Proteine redox-bedingte Thiol-Modifikationen nutzen, um Veränderungen ihrer Aktivität zu steuern. Diese redox-regulierten Proteine spielen eine zentrale Rolle in vielen physiologischen Prozessen. Das erste Ziel meiner Arbeit war die Identifizierung von Stickstoffmonoxid (NO)-sensitiven Proteinen in E. coli. Die redox-bedingten Funktionsänderungen solcher Proteine erklären möglicherweise die veränderte Physiologie von E. coli Zellen, die unter NO-Stress leiden. Um E. coli Proteine zu identifizieren, die unter Einwirkung von NO-Stress reversibel Thiol-modifiziert werden, wandte ich eine Kombination aus differentiellem Thiol-Trapping und 2D Gel-Elektrophorese an. Es wurden zehn Proteinen identifiziert, welche NO-sensitive Thiol-Gruppen enthalten. Genetische Studien ergaben, dass Modifikationen an AceF & IlvC mitverantwortlich sind für die NO-induzierte Wachstumshemmung. Bemerkenswert ist es, dass die Mehrheit der identifizierten Proteine speziell nur gegen reaktive Stickstoffspezies empfindlich ist, welches an einem der identifizierten Stickstoffmonoxid-sensitiven Proteinen, der kleinen Untereinheit von Glutamate synthase, getestet wurde. In vivo und in vitro Aktivitätsstudien zeigten, dass es zu einer schnellen Inaktivierung von Glutamate synthase nach NO-Behandlung kommt, das Protein aber resistent gegenüber anderen Oxidationsmittel ist. Diese Resultate implizieren, dass reaktive Sauerstoff- und Stickstoffspezies unterschiedliche physiologische Vorgänge in Bakterien beeinflussen. Das zweite Ziel meiner Arbeit war es, redox-sensitive Proteine in S. cerevisiae zu identifizieren und deren Redox-Zustand als in vivo Read-Out zu verwenden, um die Rolle von oxidativen Stress während des Alterungsprozess eukaryotischer Zellen zu analysieren. Zunächst bestimmte ich in Hefezellen mit Hilfe von OxICAT, einer hochsensiblen quantitativen Methode, die Thiol-Trapping mit Massenspektrometrie verbindet, den exakten in vivo Thiol-Status von fast 300 Proteinen. Diese Proteine lassen sich in vier Gruppen einteilen: 1) Proteine, deren Cysteinreste resistent gegen Oxidation sind; 2) Proteine, in denen Cysteinmodifikationen strukturelle Aufgaben übernehmen; 3) Proteine mit oxidationsempfindlichen Cysteinen, die bereits eine gewisse Oxidation in exponentiell wachsenden Hefezellen aufweisen; 4) Proteine, die reduziert sind, aber redox-sensitive Cysteinreste enthalten, die die Funktion der Proteine bei Vorhandensein von oxidativen Stress beeinflussen. Die Sensitivität dieser Proteine gegenüber oxidativen Stress wurde durch Exposition subletaler Konzentrationen von H2O2 oder Superoxid auf Hefezellen nachgewiesen. Es wurde gezeigt, dass die wichtigsten zellulären Angriffspunkte von H2O2- und Superoxid-bedingtem Stress Proteine sind, die an Vorgängen der Translation, Glykolyse, des Citratzyklus und der Aminosäure-Biosynthese beteiligt sind. Diese Zielproteine zeigen, dass Zellen für die Bekämpfung von oxidativen Stress Metabolite schnell in Richtung des Pentosephosphatweges umleiten, um die Produktion des Reduktionsmittels NADPH sicherzustellen. Die hier präsentierten Ergebnisse belegen, dass die quantitative Bestimmung des Oxidationsstatus von Proteinen eine wertvolle Methode ist, um redox-sensitive Cysteinreste zu identifizieren. Die OxICAT Technologie wurde dann verwendet, um das genaue Ausmaß und die Entstehung von oxidativen Stress in chronologisch alternden S. cerevisiae Zellen zu bestimmen. Für diese Bestimmung wurde der Oxidationsstatus von Proteinen in alternden Hefezellen als physiologischer Read-Out verwendet. Ich zeigte, dass die zelluläre Redox-Homöostase in chronologisch alternden Hefezellen global zusammenbricht, wobei es sich dabei um einen Prozess handelt, der dem Zelltod vorausgeht. Der Beginn dieses Zusammenbruchs scheint mit der Lebensdauer der Hefezellen zu korrelieren, da Kalorienrestriktion die Lebensdauer der Hefezellen erhöht und den Zusammenbruch des Redox-Gleichgewichts verzögert. Die Oxidation einer kleinen Anzahl an Proteinen (z.B. Thioredoxin reductase) geht dem Redox-Zusammenbruch deutlich voraus, was maßgeblich zum Verlust der Redox-Homöostase beitragen könnte. Diese Studien an alternden Hefezellen erweitern unser Verständnis, wie sich Veränderungen in der Redox-Homöostase auf die Lebensdauer von Hefezellen auswirken. Zudem bestätigen die hier präsentierten Ergebnisse die Bedeutung von oxidativen Thiol-Modifikationen als eine der wichtigsten posttranslationalen Proteinmodifikationen in pro-und eukaryotischen Organismen / Cysteines play important roles in the biochemistry of many proteins. The high reactivity, redox properties, and ability of the free thiol group to coordinate metal ions designate cysteines as the amino acids of choice to form key catalytic components of many enzymes. Also, cysteines readily react with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to form reversible oxidative thiol modifications. Over the last few years, an increasing number of proteins have been identified that use redox-mediated thiol modifications to modulate their function, activity, or localization. These redox-regulated proteins are central players in numerous important cellular processes. First aim of this study was to discover nitric oxide (NO) sensitive proteins in E. coli, whose redox-mediated functional changes might explain the physiological alterations observed in E. coli cells suffering from NO-stress. To identify E. coli proteins that undergo reversible thiol modifications upon NO-treatment in vivo, I applied a differential thiol trapping technique combined with two-dimensional gel analysis. 10 proteins were found to contain thiol groups sensitive to NO-treatment. Subsequent genetic studies revealed that the oxidative modifications of AceF & IlvC are, in part, responsible for the observed NO-induced growth inhibition. Noteworthy, the majority of identified protein targets turned out to be specifically sensitive towards reactive nitrogen species. This oxidant specificity was tested on one NO-sensitive protein, the small subunit of glutamate synthase. In vivo and in vitro activity studies demonstrated that glutamate synthase rapidly inactivates upon nitric oxide treatment but is resistant towards other oxidative stressors. These results imply that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species affect distinct physiological processes in bacteria. The second aim of my study was to identify redox-sensitive proteins in S. cerevisiae and to use their redox state as in vivo read-out to assess the role of oxidative stress during the eukaryotic aging process. I first determined the precise in vivo thiol status of almost 300 yeast proteins located in the cytosol and sub-cellular compartments of yeast cells using a highly quantitative mass spectrometry based thiol trapping technique, called OxICAT. The identified proteins can be clustered in four groups: 1) proteins, whose cysteine residues are oxidation resistant; 2) proteins with structurally or functionally important cysteine modifications 3) proteins with highly oxidation-sensitive active site cysteines, which are partially oxidized in exponentially growing yeast cells due to their exquisite sensitivity towards low amounts of ROS; 4) proteins that are reduced in exponentially growing cells but harbor redox-sensitive cysteine(s) that affect the catalytic function of the protein during oxidative stress. These oxidative stress sensitive proteins were identified by exposure of yeast cells to sublethal concentrations of H2O2 or superoxide. It was shown that the major targets of peroxide- and superoxide-mediated stress in the cell are proteins involved in translation, glycolysis, TCA cycle and amino acid biosynthesis. These targets indicate that cells rapidly redirect the metabolic flux and energy towards the pentose phosphate pathway in an attempt to ensure the production of the reducing equivalent NADPH to counterattack oxidative stress. These results reveal that the quantitative assessment of a protein’s oxidation state is a valuable tool to identify catalytically active and redox-sensitive cysteine residues. The OxICAT technology was then used to precisely determine extent and onset of oxidative stress in chronologically aging S. cerevisiae cells by utilizing the redox status of proteins as physiological read-out. I found that chronological aging yeast cells undergo a global collapse of the cellular redox homeostasis, which precedes cell death. The onset of this collapse appears to correlate with the yeast life span, as caloric restriction increases the life span and delays the redox collapse. These results suggest that maintenance of the redox balance might contribute to the life expanding benefits of regulating the caloric intake of yeast. Clustering analysis of all oxidatively modified proteins in chronological aging yeast revealed a subset of proteins whose oxidative thiol modifications significantly precede the general redox collapse. Oxidation of these early target proteins, which most likely results in a loss of their activity, might contribute to or even cause the observed loss of redox homeostasis (i.e., thioredoxin reductase) in chronologically aging yeast. These studies in aging yeast expand our understanding how changes in redox homeostasis affect the life span of yeast cells and confirm the importance of oxidative thiol modifications as key posttranslational modifications in pro- and eukaryotic organisms.

Apesar de Culex quinquefasciatus ser um eficiente vetor de doenças tais como a filariose linfática, febre do Nilo Ocidental e outras várias neuroviroses, poucas pesquisas sobre sua fisiologia têm sido conduzidas. Como em todos os animais ovíparos, o desenvolvimento embrionário dos mosquitos depende da degradação dos nutrientes armazenados no ovo, sendo a catepsina B uma protease que tem sido identificada e caracterizada em vários insetos como envolvida nesta função. Neste trabalho identificamos, por espectrometria de massas, duas catepsinas B de Culex quinquefasciatus, parcialmente purificadas por autoproteólise de extrato total de ovos. Segundo a anotação de suas sequências no banco de dados específico para vetores, o VectorBase, elas são enzimas parálogas e suas sequências apresentam 77% de homologia. Denominadas neste trabalho como CatB1 e CatB2, ambas são expressas simultaneamente no corpo gorduroso de todas as fêmeas vitelogênicas de nossa colônia e sua atividade pode ser detectada nos ovários vitelogênicos, sugerindo sua origem materna. A transcrição de ambas as enzimas se inicia após o repasto sanguíneo (ARS), alcançando o pico de expressão às 36 h ARS, de forma bastante semelhante à da vitelogenina. / Despite Culex quinquefasciatus be an efficient vector of diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, West Nile fever and other various neurotrophic viruses, little research on its physiology have been conducted. As in all oviparous animals, embryonic development of mosquitoes depends on the degradation of the nutrients stored in the egg. Cathepsin B is a protease that has been identified and characterized in a number of insects as involved in this function. In this work we have identified, by mass spectrometry, two cathepsins B of Culex quinquefasciatus, partially purified by self-proteolysis of total egg extract. According to the annotation of their sequences in the specific vector database, the VectorBase, they are paralogue enzymes and their sequences have 77% homology. Named in this work as CatB1 and CatB2, both are expressed simultaneously in the fat body of all vitellogenic females of our colony and its activity can be detected in vitellogenic ovaries, suggesting a maternal origin. The transcription of both enzymes starts post blood meal (PBM), reaching their peak of expression at 36 h PBM, quite similar to vitellogenin.

Le récepteur-canal P2X7 est fortement exprimé et est fonctionnel dans la lignée de cellules cancéreuses mammaires humaines hautement invasives MDA-MB-435s. L’activation de P2X7 par l’ATP extracellulaire est responsable de l'émission des prolongements cellulaires et l'augmentation de la migration cellulaire. En outre, l’activation de P2X7 augmente l’invasion cellulaire à travers la matrice extracellulaire et fait intervenir la libération de forme mature de cathepsines à cystéine dans le milieu extracellulaire. L’inhibition pharmacologique de P2X7 diminue l’invasivité des cellules cancéreuses dans un modèle de micrométastases chez le poisson zèbre. Nous avons également montré que l’émodine (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-méthylanthraquinone) une anthraquinone isolée de Rheum officinale Baill (Rhubarbe chinoise) inhibe l’invasivité des cellules cancéreuses humaines via l’antagonisme de P2X7 et n’as pas d’effet sur les autres récepteurs P2X. Nos résultats démontrent un nouveau mécanisme entre la fonctionnalité de P2X7 dans les cellules cancéreuses et l’invasivité cellulaire, un paramètre clé dans la croissance tumorale et le développement des métastases. Ceci suggère également un rôle thérapeutique potentiel pour les antagonistes des P2X7. / P2X7 receptor channel is highly expressed and fully functional in the highly invasive human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435s. Its activation by extracellular ATP is responsible for the extension of neurite-like cellular prolongations, and the increase in cell migration. Furthermore, P2X7 activation enhanced invasion through the extracellular matrix and was related to the increase of mature forms of cysteine cathepsins in the extracellular medium. Pharmacological targeting of P2X7 decreases cancer cell invasiveness in a zebrafish model of micrometastases. We also showed that emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) an anthraquinone derivative originally isolated from Rheum officinale Baill (Chinese Rhubarb) inhibits human cancer cell invasiveness by specifically antagonizing the P2X7 and not the other members of the P2X family. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanistic link between P2X7 functionality in cancer cells and invasiveness, a key parameter in tumour growth and in the development of metastases. These results also suggest a potential therapeutic role for the newly developed P2X7 antagonists.

Die vorliegende Untersuchung diente, nach der grundlegenden Vorgehensweise im Rahmen des exponentiellen N-Verwertungsmodelles (GEBHARDT 1966, Samadi und Liebert 2008), die Aminosäurewirksamkeit beim Masthähnchen unter spezifischer Fokussierung der schwefelhaltigen Aminosäuren Methionin und Cystein zu bewerten und neue Erkenntnisse zum Idealprotein-Konzept beim Mastgeflügel zu erhalten. Dazu wurden Stoffwechsel- und Wachstumsversuche mit männlichen Ross 308 Broilerküken in jeweils zwei Altersperioden (Starter- und Growerperiode) durchgeführt. Die Beantwortung der komplexen Fragestellung erforderte ein Herangehen in drei separaten Versuchskomplexen, die folgende Zielstellungen umfassten: Untersuchungskomplex I: Ermittlung des NMR (N-Erhaltungsbedarf) und NRmaxT (theoretisches maximales N-Retentionsvermögen) Untersuchungskomplex II: vergleichende Bertachtung der Methioninwirksamkeit zweier Methioninquellen (DL-Methionin (DLM) und 2-Hydroxy-4-methylthiobuttersäure (MHA)) und Ermittlung des Methioninbedarfs in Abhängigkeit vom Met:Cys-Verhältnis Untersuchungskomplex III: Ableitung eines idealen Aminosäurenverhältnisses unter Betrachtung der Aminosäuren Lysin, Threonin, Tryptophan, Arginin, Isoleucin und Valin Folgende Resultate wurden erzielt: NMR und NRmaxT Der in einem N-Bilanzversuch ermittelte N-Erhaltungsbedarf (NMR) für Ross 308 Broiler betrug für die Altersperiode 10. - 20. LT 295 mg/LMkg0,67 pro Tag und für die Altersperiode 25. - 35. LT 313 mg/LMkg0,67 pro Tag. Da die Ergebnisse, des in beiden Altersabschnitten analysierten N-Erhaltungsbedarfes sehr ähnlich waren, wurde der Mittelwert dieser beiden Parameter eruiert. Der durchschnittliche, als Arbeitswert für den täglichen N-Erhaltungsbedarf angenommene NMR betrug, für die unter der Studie betrachtete Genetik, somit 304 mg/LMkg0,67 pro Tag. Die Bewertung des theoretischen Potentials für die tägliche N-Retention (NRmaxT) männlicher Broilerküken der genetischen Herkunft Ross 308 entsprach für die Altersperiode 10. - 20. LT 3991mg/LMkg0,67 pro Tag und 3110 mg/LMkg0,67 pro Tag für die Altersperiode 25. - 35. LT. Die Ergebnisse demonstrierten, dass das genetische Potential zur Proteindeposition wachsender Broiler mit zunehmendem Alter sank. Methionin-Wirksamkeit Gegenüber der Negativkontrolle konnte durch die DL-Methionin- / MHA-Zulagen bzw. DL-Methionin- / MHA-Zulagen in Kombination mit Cystein der tägliche Zuwachs und der Futteraufwand signifikant verbessert werden. Beim Vergleich der relativen Wirksamkeit von DLM und MHA in dieser Arbeit zeigt sich eine Überlegenheit des DLM in allen Mischungen, mit Ausnahme der zweiten Met+Cys-Supplementationsstufe in der Growerperiode, bei der eine Wirksamkeit von 100 erzielt wurde. Die MHA-Wirksamkeit variierte in einem Bereich zwischen 62% und 100% in Abhängigkeit vom Met:Cys-Verhältnis und dem Gehalt an Met bzw. Cys in der Diät. Die Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass mit zunehmendem Anteil an Methionin sowie innerhalb des Methioninlevels ein zunehender Anteil an Cystein in der Diät, die Wirksamkeit von MHA relativ zu DLM senkte. Ableitungen zum täglichen Methioninbedarf Die abgeleiteten Werte zum täglichen Methioninbedarf bezogen sich auf einen Rohproteinansatz von 6 - 10g/d (Starter) bzw. 12 - 20g/d (Grower) und lagen in einem Bereich von: 244 - 498 mg/LMkg0,67pro LT bei einer Met-Wirksamkeit von 157 (Starter, 10. 21. LT) 230 - 500 mg/LMkg0,67pro LT bei einer Met-Wirksamkeit von 196 (Grower, 25. 35. LT) Danach benötigte ein Broiler mit einer mittleren Lebendmasse von 500g zur Realisierung eines täglichen Proteinansatzes von 6 - 10 mg/d eine Zufuhr von 154 313 mg Met/d und ein Broiler mit einer mittleren Lebendmasse von 1800g zur Realisierung eines täglichen Proteinansatzes von 12 20 mg/d eine Zufuhr von 341 742 mg Met/d. Bei einer täglichen Futteraufnahme von 50g bzw. 130g ergaben sich notwendige Aminosäurekonzentrationen im Futter von 0,26 - 0,57% Methionin bzw. 0,31 - 0,63% Methionin. Für die Methioninbedarfswerte zeigte sich eine bestehende Abhängigkeit zum Met:Cys-Verhältnis bzw. Cys-Gehalt der Futtermischung. Ableitungen zum idealen Aminosäurenverhältnis N-Bilanz- und Wachstumsversuche zur Ermittlung der idealen Aminosäurenverhältnisse wurden durchgeführt. Aus den drei N-Bilanzversuchen ergab sich ein ideales Lys:Thr:Trp:Arg:Ile:Val-Verhältnis von 100:61:17:106:59:69 für Broiler in der Altersperiode 10. - 20. LT sowie ein ideales Lys:Thr:Trp:Arg:Ile:Val-Verhältnis von 100:65:17:106:65:82 für Broiler in der Altersperiode 25. - 35. LT. Die Ergebnisse bestätigten die schon für Lys:Thr bekannte Altersabhängigkeit. Neue Aspekte ergaben sich jedoch hinsichtlich Ile und Val, bei denen ebenfalls ein altersbedingter Anstieg relativ zum Lys beobachtet wurde. Unter Mittelwertbildung der beiden Wachstumsversuche ergaben sich folgende Aminosäurenverhältnisse: Lys:Thr:Trp:Arg:Ile:Val von 100:62:18:95:68:72 für Broiler in der Altersperiode 0. - 21. LT und Lys:Thr:Trp:Arg:Ile:Val von 100:73:15:92:73:82 für Broiler in der Altersperiode 21. - 35. LT.

Apesar de Culex quinquefasciatus ser um eficiente vetor de doenças tais como a filariose linfática, febre do Nilo Ocidental e outras várias neuroviroses, poucas pesquisas sobre sua fisiologia têm sido conduzidas. Como em todos os animais ovíparos, o desenvolvimento embrionário dos mosquitos depende da degradação dos nutrientes armazenados no ovo, sendo a catepsina B uma protease que tem sido identificada e caracterizada em vários insetos como envolvida nesta função. Neste trabalho identificamos, por espectrometria de massas, duas catepsinas B de Culex quinquefasciatus, parcialmente purificadas por autoproteólise de extrato total de ovos. Segundo a anotação de suas sequências no banco de dados específico para vetores, o VectorBase, elas são enzimas parálogas e suas sequências apresentam 77% de homologia. Denominadas neste trabalho como CatB1 e CatB2, ambas são expressas simultaneamente no corpo gorduroso de todas as fêmeas vitelogênicas de nossa colônia e sua atividade pode ser detectada nos ovários vitelogênicos, sugerindo sua origem materna. A transcrição de ambas as enzimas se inicia após o repasto sanguíneo (ARS), alcançando o pico de expressão às 36 h ARS, de forma bastante semelhante à da vitelogenina. / Despite Culex quinquefasciatus be an efficient vector of diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, West Nile fever and other various neurotrophic viruses, little research on its physiology have been conducted. As in all oviparous animals, embryonic development of mosquitoes depends on the degradation of the nutrients stored in the egg. Cathepsin B is a protease that has been identified and characterized in a number of insects as involved in this function. In this work we have identified, by mass spectrometry, two cathepsins B of Culex quinquefasciatus, partially purified by self-proteolysis of total egg extract. According to the annotation of their sequences in the specific vector database, the VectorBase, they are paralogue enzymes and their sequences have 77% homology. Named in this work as CatB1 and CatB2, both are expressed simultaneously in the fat body of all vitellogenic females of our colony and its activity can be detected in vitellogenic ovaries, suggesting a maternal origin. The transcription of both enzymes starts post blood meal (PBM), reaching their peak of expression at 36 h PBM, quite similar to vitellogenin.

A enzima cruzaína é um alvo validado e promissor para a descoberta de agentes tripanossomicidas. A validação desta enzima estimulou o desenvolvimento de vários inibidores ao longo dos últimos vinte anos. A descoberta de novos compostos, provenientes de classes químicas distintas, mais seguros e eficazes representa uma importante contribuição para o desenvolvimento da quimioterapia da doença de Chagas. Dentre essas classes, encontram-se as dipeptidil-nitrilas, que apresentam alta potência contra a cruzaína e são conhecidamente inibidores covalente-reversíveis. Estudos de afinidade através de Calorimetria de Titulação Isotérmica (ITC) são fundamentais na compreensão de sistemas bioquímicos e viabilizam a determinação dos parâmetros termodinâmicos. A ITC possibilita determinar com precisão e acurácia os valores de Kd(1/Ka), ΔH,ΔG,ΔS e ΔCp e com esses parâmetros pode-se traçar facilmente o perfil termodinâmico dos ligantes. No presente trabalho, a enzima selvagem cruzaína bem como sua forma mutante C25S foram preparadas e, pela primeira vez, foi realizado o estudo de afinidade através da ITC para 16 dipeptidil-nitrilas usadas como inibidores da cruzaína. O perfil termodinâmico (TP) foi obtido e observado como entálpico-dirigido com compensação entrópica desfavorável. A fatoração da energia livre ( ΔG) de interação foi usada para avaliar os efeitos causados pelas substituições em P1, P2 e P3 na energética, sugerindo uma correlação direta entre a afinidade e a otimização entálpica/entrópica. As substituições avaliadas promoveram um aumento de 10 a 20 vezes na afinidade da cruzaína pelo inibidor. Estudos em diferentes tampões foram realizados para a determinação da influência do efeito de ionização na afinidade. Foi determinado o valor de ΔCp do complexo cruzaína-Neq0409 e a relação de ΔHITC com ΔHvH. O Neq0569 foi testado contra a proteína mutante C25A, tendo sido observada inversão da assinatura que passou a ser entropicamente dirigida. Além disso, uma redução de 176 vezes na afinidade foi observada, demonstrando a importância da ligação covalente-reversível para o aumento da afinidade. / The enzyme cruzain is a validated and promising target for the discovery of trypanocidal agents. The validation of this enzyme has stimulated the development of several inhibitors over the past twenty years. The discovery of new compounds from different chemical classes, which are safer and more effective is an important contribution to the development of chemotherapy of Chagas disease. Among known classes are the dipeptidyl nitriles that exhibit high cruzain affinity and are known to be covalent-reversible inhibitors. Molecular optimization requires a rigorous assessment of physicochemical properties, including the thermodynamic characterization of molecular forces that govern cruzain-inhibitor interactions. Affinity studies through Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) are fundamental in understanding biochemical systems and enable the determination of thermodynamic parameters. The ITC tool provides the determination of Kd values (1/Ka), ΔH, ΔG, ΔS and ΔCp accurately and precisely. These parameters can easily be used to draw the thermodynamic profile of ligands. In this study, the wild type cruzain enzyme and its mutant form C25S were prepared and, for the first time by the best of our knowledge, the study was conducted by ITC for 16 dipeptidyl nitriles used as inhibitors of cruzain enzyme, which is a hydrolase. The thermodynamic profile (TP) was obtained and observed to be enthalpy-driven with unfavorable entropic compensation. The free energy factorization (ΔG) interaction was used to evaluate the effects caused by substitutions in P1, P2 and P3 in energy, thereby suggesting a direct correlation between the affinity and the enthalpy/entropy optimization. Substitutions made possible to observe an increase of 10 to 20 times higher than the affinity for previous cruzain inhibitors. Studies on different buffers were performed to determine the influence of ionizing effect on affinity. The ΔCp value was determined for cruzain-Neq0409 complex and its ΔHITC relationship with ΔHvH was also evaluated. Neq0569 was tested against the mutant protein C25A, having been observed reversal of the signature which became entropy driven. Furthermore, a reduction of 176-fold in the affinity was observed, demonstrating the importance of covalent-reversible binding to increase affinity.

The intracellular proteolysis of ingested meal plays an essential role in tick development. The thesis focuses on the factors influencing the expressions and activities of digestive enzymes in Ixodes ricinus females during the feeding and post-feeding period. We have revealed the effect of fertilization on blood feeding and digestion. The females cannot reach the rapid engorgement phase without being fertilized. The rate of mated females in the nature proved the presumption that mating can occur even off the host. Implementation of in vitro feeding technique further extended our current knowledge about tick digestive apparatus. Adult females were fed on hemoglobin-rich and hemoglobin-poor diet and the mRNA expression levels of digestive proteases were determined. In line with obtained data, we assumed that albuminolysis is conducted by the same or similar pathway as hemoglobinolysis. The gene silencing method and protein immuno-detection were used to unequivocally identify the isoforms of 'early expressed' IrCL1 and 'late expressed' IrCL3 isoform of cathepsin L.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:16:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pre textuais aline franca.pdf: 261338 bytes, checksum: 26489ba3dd2eb948a58b73b531aee0b2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-05 / The evaluation of the reproductive capacity of stallions and semen cooled and / or frozen is of fundamental importance in practical breeding of horses. Whereas predicting the fertility of a stallion is still a subjective decision, the present study was conducted to evaluate different staining techniques, as well as tests that assess the viability of semen in horses, studying the effects of the addition of cysteine and glutathione in plasma membrane integrity of sperm DNA, and to evaluate the effects of the addition of these antioxidants in preserving the viability of sperm undergoing incubation and refrigerated for short periods. We used semen from six stallions, wich were split into seven samples, one kept as control (Control Group) and other antioxidants cysteine was added at a ratio of 1.0 mM (Group C1, 0), 1.5 mM (Group C1, 5), 2.5 mM (Group C 2.5) and glutathione also at 1.0 mM (Group G1, 0), 1.5 mM (Group G1, 5) and 2.5 mM (Group G 2.5 ). All tests were performed every six hours. The three treatments were: Treatment I cooled to 12 &#8304;C for 12 hours (zero hour; 6h resf.; 12h resf.) Chilled in boxes; Treatment II incubated in a water bath at 37 &#8304;C for 12 hours (6h 37 ° C, 12h 37 ° C) and Treatment III - cooled and subsequently incubated, according to the treatments I and II. The evaluation of plasma membrane integrity was performed by staining eosine-nigrosin; acrosomal membrane by FITC-PSA and DNA by acridine orange. For each analysis were numbered 200 to 500 cells. The evaluation of the viability of sperm was performed by MTT assay according to Mosmann (1983). The results showed that antioxidants were effective (p <0.05) in keeping the DNA intact chromatin, especially glutathione. In the acrosome of antioxidants were protective, at times 18 and 24 hours, and in other treatments, no significant difference (p> 0.05) between control and treated groups. The MTT test showed that groups treated with antioxidants had absorbance values similar to those of control, showing positive effect (p <0.05) only when cooled by six o'clock in the cysteine group 2.5. In relation to the plasma membrane of spermatozoa stained with eosin-nigrosin, no protective effect of antioxidants in the samples. The values of their averages were close to the control group (p> 0.05). One factor was estimated that cooling per se, independent of the addition of antioxidants used, has been effective in protecting the sperm. And the incubation at 37 &#8304; C causes these cells, and the addition of cysteine and glutathione were efficient, if not protect, but to maintain the integrity of the factors evaluated, not causing more damage to sperm. / A avaliação da eficácia reprodutiva do garanhão e do sêmen resfriado e&#8260;ou congelado é de fundamental importância na prática reprodutiva dos eqüinos. Predizer a fertilidade de um garanhão constitui uma decisão subjetiva. O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de testar diferentes técnicas de coloração, assim como testes que avaliem a viabilidade do sêmen de eqüinos, estudando os efeitos da adição de cisteína e glutationa na integridade da membrana plasmática, do DNA espermático, além de avaliar os efeitos da adição desses antioxidantes na preservação da viabilidade dos espermatozóides submetidos à incubação e refrigeração por curtos períodos. Foi utilizado sêmen de seis garanhões, que foram fracionados em sete amostras, sendo uma mantida como controle (Grupo Controle) e às outras foi adicionado os antioxidantes cisteína, na proporção de 1,0mM (Grupo C1,0); 1,5mM (Grupo C1,5); 2,5mM (Grupo C 2,5) e glutationa também na proporção de 1,0mM (Grupo G1,0); 1,5mM (Grupo G1,5) e 2,5mM (Grupo G 2,5). Todas as análises foram realizadas a cada seis horas. Os três tratamentos foram: Tratamento I resfriado a 12 °C, por 12 horas (zero hora; 6h resf.; 12h resf.), em caixas refrigeradas; Tratamento II incubado em banho-maria a 37 °C, por 12 horas (6h 37° C; 12h 37° C) e Tratamento III resfriado e posteriormente incubado, conforme os Tratamentos I e II. A avaliação da integridade da membrana plasmática foi feita pela coloração eosina-nigrosina; da membrana acrossomal pelo FITC-PSA e do DNA pela laranja de acridina. A avaliação da viabilidade do sêmen foi realizada pelo ensaio do MTT, de acordo com Mosmann(1983). Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os antioxidantes foram eficientes (p<0,05) em manter a cromatina do DNA intacta, especialmente a glutationa. Na membrana acrossomal houve proteção dos antioxidantes, nos momentos 18 e 24 horas, sendo que nos demais tratamentos, não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre os grupos tratados e o grupo controle. O teste do MTT mostrou que os grupos tratados com antioxidantes tiveram valores de absorbância próximos aos do controle, mostrando efeito positivo (p<0,05) apenas quando resfriados por seis horas, no grupo cisteína 2,5. Em relação à membrana plasmática dos espermatozóides, corados por eosina-nigrosina, não houve efeito protetor dos antioxidantes nas amostras avaliadas. Um fator avaliado foi que o resfriamento, por si só, independente da adição dos antioxidantes utilizados, já foi eficaz em proteger os espermatozóides. E a incubação a 37&#8304; C causa danos a essas células, e a adição de cisteína e glutationa foi eficiente em, senão proteger, mas manter a integridade dos fatores avaliados, não causando mais danos aos espermatozóides.

A enzima cruzaína é um alvo validado e promissor para a descoberta de agentes tripanossomicidas. A validação desta enzima estimulou o desenvolvimento de vários inibidores ao longo dos últimos vinte anos. A descoberta de novos compostos, provenientes de classes químicas distintas, mais seguros e eficazes representa uma importante contribuição para o desenvolvimento da quimioterapia da doença de Chagas. Dentre essas classes, encontram-se as dipeptidil-nitrilas, que apresentam alta potência contra a cruzaína e são conhecidamente inibidores covalente-reversíveis. Estudos de afinidade através de Calorimetria de Titulação Isotérmica (ITC) são fundamentais na compreensão de sistemas bioquímicos e viabilizam a determinação dos parâmetros termodinâmicos. A ITC possibilita determinar com precisão e acurácia os valores de Kd(1/Ka), &Delta;H,&Delta;G,&Delta;S e &Delta;Cp e com esses parâmetros pode-se traçar facilmente o perfil termodinâmico dos ligantes. No presente trabalho, a enzima selvagem cruzaína bem como sua forma mutante C25S foram preparadas e, pela primeira vez, foi realizado o estudo de afinidade através da ITC para 16 dipeptidil-nitrilas usadas como inibidores da cruzaína. O perfil termodinâmico (TP) foi obtido e observado como entálpico-dirigido com compensação entrópica desfavorável. A fatoração da energia livre ( &Delta;G) de interação foi usada para avaliar os efeitos causados pelas substituições em P1, P2 e P3 na energética, sugerindo uma correlação direta entre a afinidade e a otimização entálpica/entrópica. As substituições avaliadas promoveram um aumento de 10 a 20 vezes na afinidade da cruzaína pelo inibidor. Estudos em diferentes tampões foram realizados para a determinação da influência do efeito de ionização na afinidade. Foi determinado o valor de &Delta;Cp do complexo cruzaína-Neq0409 e a relação de &Delta;HITC com &Delta;HvH. O Neq0569 foi testado contra a proteína mutante C25A, tendo sido observada inversão da assinatura que passou a ser entropicamente dirigida. Além disso, uma redução de 176 vezes na afinidade foi observada, demonstrando a importância da ligação covalente-reversível para o aumento da afinidade. / The enzyme cruzain is a validated and promising target for the discovery of trypanocidal agents. The validation of this enzyme has stimulated the development of several inhibitors over the past twenty years. The discovery of new compounds from different chemical classes, which are safer and more effective is an important contribution to the development of chemotherapy of Chagas disease. Among known classes are the dipeptidyl nitriles that exhibit high cruzain affinity and are known to be covalent-reversible inhibitors. Molecular optimization requires a rigorous assessment of physicochemical properties, including the thermodynamic characterization of molecular forces that govern cruzain-inhibitor interactions. Affinity studies through Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) are fundamental in understanding biochemical systems and enable the determination of thermodynamic parameters. The ITC tool provides the determination of Kd values (1/Ka), &Delta;H, &Delta;G, &Delta;S and &Delta;Cp accurately and precisely. These parameters can easily be used to draw the thermodynamic profile of ligands. In this study, the wild type cruzain enzyme and its mutant form C25S were prepared and, for the first time by the best of our knowledge, the study was conducted by ITC for 16 dipeptidyl nitriles used as inhibitors of cruzain enzyme, which is a hydrolase. The thermodynamic profile (TP) was obtained and observed to be enthalpy-driven with unfavorable entropic compensation. The free energy factorization (&Delta;G) interaction was used to evaluate the effects caused by substitutions in P1, P2 and P3 in energy, thereby suggesting a direct correlation between the affinity and the enthalpy/entropy optimization. Substitutions made possible to observe an increase of 10 to 20 times higher than the affinity for previous cruzain inhibitors. Studies on different buffers were performed to determine the influence of ionizing effect on affinity. The &Delta;Cp value was determined for cruzain-Neq0409 complex and its &Delta;HITC relationship with &Delta;HvH was also evaluated. Neq0569 was tested against the mutant protein C25A, having been observed reversal of the signature which became entropy driven. Furthermore, a reduction of 176-fold in the affinity was observed, demonstrating the importance of covalent-reversible binding to increase affinity.

Věra Mansfeldová: Time-resolved potentiometry on liquid-liquid interface (Dissertation thesis) Abstract The aim of this work is to explore the method of temporal resolution in potentiometry as a new prospective electrochemical analytical technique. In connection with interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) it may find utilization in analytical chemistry. This technique up to my knowledge has not been published yet. Potential response of analyte on liquid/liquid interface includes both distribution processes, their temporal resolution and redox processes, which specificity can modified by changing the composition of individual phases. Unlike "classic" potentiometric techniques, limited just to potential determination, this method, which I have given the working name "time resolved potentiometry at liquid-liquid interface" utilizes time development of potential response, which was found to be an analyte-specific function. The time resolved potentiometry presented in this work includes time course of potential response to analytical parameters specific for particular analyte. It brings series of data characterizing the analyte in given environment in a similar manner as spectra and may allow creating analyte-specific data package - fingerprint. Combination with ITIES allows, unlike...