No / Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in cosmetics and sunscreens. Human epidermal keratinocytes may serve as the first portal of entry for these nanoparticles either directly through topically applied cosmetics or indirectly through any breaches in the skin integrity. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess the biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles in primary human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK) as they are the most abundant cell type in the human epidermis. Cellular uptake of nanoparticles was investigated by scanning electron microscopy using back scattered electrons imaging as well as transmission electron microscopy. The electron microscopy revealed the internalization of ZnO nanoparticles in primary HEK after 6 h exposure at 14 microg/ml concentration. ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a time (6-24 h) as well as concentration (8-20 microg/ml) dependent inhibition of mitochondrial activity as evident by the MTT assay. A significant (p < 0.05) induction in DNA damage was observed in cells exposed to ZnO nanoparticles for 6 h at 8 and 14 microg/ml concentrations compared to control as evident in the Comet assay. This is the first study providing information on biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles with primary human epidermal keratinocytes. Our findings demonstrate that ZnO nanoparticles are internalized by the human epidermal keratinocytes and elicit a cytotoxic and genotoxic response. Therefore, caution should be taken while using consumer products containing nanoparticles as any perturbation in the skin barrier could expose the underlying cells to nanoparticles.

The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic has resulted in a heavy global disease burden, and clinically causes Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has achieved remarkable control of the rapidly evolving HIV. However, HIV remains neither curable nor preventable by vaccine, and in the developing regions worst affected by HIV, HAART remains inaccessible to most patients. Furthermore, the change in both immunology and viral evolution during chronic HIV infection and its relation to AIDS pathogenesis remains unknown. Following the failure of recent HIV vaccines, it is believed that a better understanding of host-pathogen interaction is vital to advance therapeutic (vaccine and drug) design. In this thesis, I have performed an investigation of viral adaptation in response to different selection forces during advanced HIV infection and AIDS. The thesis first examined a case study that reveals the potential role of B cell-mediated neutralising antibody (NAb) in chronic HIV infection through the unexpected effect of B cell depletion agent, anti-CD20 (Rituximab). Here, longitudinal results have shown that viral load (VL), env gene diversity, and NAb sensitive strains increased during B cell and NAb depletion as a result of Rituximab administration, and reversed as B cells recovered. The study provides preliminary evidence to support the idea that NAb may be effective at suppressing HIV. The rest of the thesis focused on the cross-sectional cohort at Bloemfontein, South Africa (n=1491), a resource-limited region affected by the pandemic. Here, we used methods that include molecular and pretherapy drug resistance epidemiology, mathematical modelling, phylogenetically adjusted bioinformatics analysis and in vitro viral replication capacity (VRC) assay to study materials including cohort demography, plasma samples, CD4 cell count, VL, viral genetic sequences and host human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue types. Our analysis was further augmented by the additional data kindly contributed by our neighbouring Durban cohort collaborators (n=775), which also includes an IFN! ELISPOT assay that measures cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Using the HIV pol sequencing data and phylogenetic analysis we confirmed that the local molecular epidemiology is similar to the circulating strains documented in the regional database. However, the pretherapy drug resistance mutation screening results have revealed an unexpected high incidence of drug-induced viral mutants in the AIDS patients with CD4 counts <100 cells/μl. According to mathematical modelling, this finding is attributable to additional sources of antiretroviral therapy exposure, which warrants public health caution. The investigation then focused on studying the changes in HLA class I mediated CTL selection and viral evolution as CD4 counts are reduced in AIDS. Interestingly we have noted evidence that suggest weakening CTL immune selection against gag during AIDS is associated with increased viral fitness (measured by VRC) and reversion of previous immune-escape mutations which conferred high fitness costs. In conclusion, this thesis compared different sources of host and drug mediated HIV selection and its implication for viral evolution. The identification of more bottleneck sites conferring high fitness costs to the selection of escape mutants is expected to be helpful in the design of future therapeutics (via vaccine, drug, immune therapy, or public health strategy). As we have learnt from the principle of combinational ARV, it would be desirable for a vaccine to select HIV at multiple sites of high escape-mutation fitness cost, hence offering protective effect.

Introduction: Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are the major family of enzymes responsible for detoxification and metabolism of a wide range of both endogenous and xenobiotics chemicals in living organisms. The use of CYPs to activate prodrugs to cytotoxins selectively in tumours has been explored including AQ4N, Phortress and Aminoflavone. CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP2W1, and CYP4F11 have been identified as expressed in tumour tissue and surrounding stroma at high frequency compared to most normal tissues. Aim is to investigate the differential metabolism of novel chloromethylindoline by high frequency expressed CYPs in tumours. This differential may be exploited to elicit a selective chemotherapeutic effect by metabolising inert small molecules to potent cytotoxins within the tumour environment. Materials and Methods: Sensitive and specific LC/MS/MS techniques have been developed to investigate the metabolism of chloromethylindolines. Recombinant enzymes and transfected cell lines were used to investigate the metabolic profiles with a focus on production of the cytotoxic derivatives of chloromethylindolines. Results: Detailed metabolic studies show that (1-(Chloromethyl)-1,2-dihydropyrrolo [3,2-e]indol-3(6H)-yl)(5-methoxy-1H-indol-2-yl) methanone (ICT2700) and other chloromethylindolines are converted by CYP1A1 mediated hydroxylation at the C-5 position leading to highly potent metabolites. In vitro cytotoxicity studies showed differentials of up to 1000-fold was achieved between CYP1A1 activated compared to the non-metabolised parent molecules. The reactivity of metabolites of ICT2700 was also explored using glutathione as a nucleophile. The metabolites were identified by a combination of LC/MS and LC MS/MS techniques. Investigations using mouse and human liver microsomes show that a large number of metabolites are created though none were shown to be associated with a potential anticancer effect. Studies focused on CYP2W1 show that this isoform metabolised ICT2706 to a cytotoxic species and a pharmacokinetic study showed a good distribution of ICT2706 into mouse tissues including tumour. However metabolism of ICT2726 by CYP2W1 resulted only in a non-toxic metabolite profile and may have potential as a biomarker for functional CYP2W1 in tissues. Preliminary studies show that palmitic acid hydroxylation is a useful marker of functional CYP4F11. Summary and conclusion: The in vitro results show that the chloromethylindolines are a novel class of agent with potential as prodrugs that following specific hydroxylation by CYP1A1 and CYP2W1 are converted to ultra-potent cytotoxins. Other metabolites are also evident which are not cytotoxic. Studies in vivo show that selected chloromethylindolines possess a good pharmacokinetic profile and show potential as prodrug anticancer agents that require activation by CYP1A1 or CYP2W1. The methods, results, progress and suggestions for future work are presented in this thesis.

In 2004, the polyketide natural product, chamuvarinin (72) was isolated by Laurens et al. from the roots of Uvaria chamae, a member of the Annonaceae plant family. This unique tetrahydropyran containing acetogenin displayed potent levels of cytotoxic activity against the KB 3-1 cell line with an ED50 value of 0.8 nM. Upon initial isolation the relative and absolute stereochemical assignment of chamuvarinin (72) was unable to be readily achieved through ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis. The initial synthetic route described herein has enabled the relative and absolute stereochemical determination of chamuvarinin (72) through the first total synthesis completed in 20 longest linear steps in 1.5% overall yield. A revised synthetic strategy towards chamuvarinin (72) was completed in 17 longest linear steps in 2.2% overall yield. The revised route facilitated the assembly of non-natural chamuvarinin-like analogues and their trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities have been assessed. The synthesis of these analogues has formed the basis of a more focussed study through the design and synthesis of simplified triazole (295), isoxazole (325) and butenolide triazole (305) analogues as potential Trypanosoma brucei (causative agent in African Sleeping sickness) inhibitors.

Moquiniastrum e Richterago possuem 21 e 16 espécies, respectivamente. Nesse trabalho foi descrita a composição química de três espécies de Moquiniastrum (M. floribundum, M. blanchetianum e M. oligocephalum) e duas de Richterago (R. discoidea e R. campestres), avaliado as atividades citotóxica, antirradicalar, antileishmania, antitripanossoma e a inibição enzimática da transcriptase reversa (HIV-1) pelos metabólitos isolados, e as informações químicas dos metabólitos isolados e de literatura foram analisados como caracteres quimiotaxonômicos na segregação dos gêneros estudados. Dessas espécies foram identificadas 109 substâncias, sendo vinte e dois componentes graxos, um derivado de tocoferol, dezessete triterpenos, uma flavanona, quatro flavonas derivadas de apigenina, seis flavonas derivadas de luteolina, oito flavonóis derivados de caempferol, três flavonóis derivados de quercetina, três flavonóis acilados, quatro flavonóis glicosilados, dois ácidos fenólicos, quize derivados de ácido cinâmico, cinco lactonas sesquiterpênicas, seis diterpenos e doze sesquiterpenos de esqueleto bisabolano, totalizando 19 componentes inéditos em literatura. Moquiniastrum e Richterago apresentam como caracteres compartilhados a presença de triterpenos, flavonas derivadas de apigenina e luteolina, flavonóis acilados, ácidos cafeoil-quínicos e ácidos C6-C3. Adicionalmente, as espécies de Moquiniastrum caracterizam-se pela produção de flavonóis 3-O-metoxilados derivados de caempferol além de germacranolídeos, eudesmanolídeos e guaianolídeos lactonizados na posição 6,12. Por outro lado, as espécies de Richterago acumulam flavonóis 3-O-glicosilados derivados de quercetina, além de germacranolídeos lactonizados na posição 8,12. Dessa forma, os dados permitem a distinção química entre os gêneros e corroboram a segregação proposta para os mesmos. Na atividade antirradicalar os ácidos monocafeoilquinicos apresentaram mais de 100% Tx (comparativamente ao Trolox) e tanto os ácidos como os ésteres di- e tricafeoilquinicos mostraram mais de 213%Tx, evidenciando um grande potencial antirradicalar. No ensaio antileishmania nenhuma das substâncias isoladas apresentou atividade considerável. No ensaio antitripanossoma a genkwanina e o éster metílico do ácido 3,4,5-tricafeoilquínico apresentaram atividade frente a forma tripromastigota de Trypanossoma cruzi. No ensaio citotóxico a fase DCM de M. floribundum apresentou um grande potencial bioativo (> 90% na concentração de 50,0 &#181;g.mL-1) porém as flavonas isoladas dessa fase foram testadas não apresentando atividade e as substâncias inéditas estão em avaliação. No ensaio anti HIV-1 os ácidos clorogenicos e as flavonas mostraram potencial como inibidores da transcriptase reversa do HIV-1. / Moquiniastrum and Richterago have 21 and 16 species, respectively. This work describes the chemical composition of three species of Moquiniastrum (M. floribundum, M. blanchetianum and M. oligocephalum) and two Richterago (R. discoidea and R. campestris). The isolated metabolites were evaluated as cytotoxic, antiradicalar, antileishmania, antitrypanosome and enzymatic reverse transcriptase inhibition (HIV-1) activities and the chemical data from the isolated compounds and literature data were analyzed as chemotaxonomic characters in the segregation of both genera. From these species 109 compounds were identified, including twenty-two fatty components, a tocopherol derivative, seventeen triterpenes, a flavanone, four flavones derived from apigenin, six flavones derived from luteolin, eight flavonols derived from caempferol, three flavonols derived from quercetin, three acylated flavonols, four glycosylated flavonols, two phenolic acids, fifteen cinnamic acid derivatives, five sesquiterpene lactones, six diterpenes and twelve sesquiterpenes pertaining to the bisabolane skeleton. Among these compounds 19 metabolites were unpublished in literature. Moquiniastrum and Richterago show as shared characters the presence of triterpenes, flavones derived from apigenin and luteolin, acylated flavonols, caffeoylquinic acids and C6-C3 acids. In addition, Moquiniastrum species are characterized by the production of 3-O-methoxylated flavonols derived from kaempferol, and germacranolides, eudesmanolides and guaianolides lactonized at 6,12 position. On the other hand, Richterago species accumulate 3-O-glycosylated flavonols derived from quercetin and germacranolides lactonized at 8,12 position. Therefore, the data allow the chemical distinction and corroborate the proposed segregation between both genera. For antiradical activity, the monocaffeoylquinic acids showed more than 100% Tx (compared to Trolox) and both di- and tricaffeoylquinic acids and esters exhibited more than 213% Tx, showing a great antiradical potential. None of isolated compounds showed considerable activity in the antileishmania assay, however for antitrypanosome assay, genkwanin and 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid methyl ester showed activity against the promastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi. For cytotoxic assay the DCM phase from M. floribundum showed a high bioactive potential (> 90% at concentration of 50.0 &#181;g.mL-1), however the isolated flavones were tested and showed no activity. The new compounds are under evaluation. Finally, for anti-HIV-1 assay the chlorogenic acids and flavones showed potential as inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

<p>Ostvarene su vi&scaron;efazne sinteze prirodnih citotoksičnih laktona (+)-murikatacina (<strong>1</strong>),<br />(&ndash;)-murikatacina (ent-<strong>1</strong>) i (+)-goniofufurona (<strong>2</strong>), kao i njihovih novih analoga (<strong>3a</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>4</strong>,<br /><strong>5</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>6</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>7</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>8</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>9</strong>,&nbsp; ent-<strong>7&nbsp;</strong>i ent-<strong>9</strong>), polazeći iz&nbsp; D-ksiloze ili iz&nbsp; D-glukoze. Ispitana je&nbsp; in vitro<br />citotoksična aktivnost sintetizovanih prirodnih proizvoda i analoga prema<br />odabranim humanim tumorskim ćelijskim linijama (K562, HL-60, Jurkat, Raji, HT-29,&nbsp;MDA-MB 231 i HeLa), kao i prema ćelijama fetalnih fibroblasta pluća (MRC-5).</p> / <p>Multiphase synthesis of natural cytotoxic lactones&nbsp; (+)-muricatacin (<strong>1</strong>),<br />(&ndash;)-muricatacin (ent-<strong>1</strong>) and (+)-goniofufurone (<strong>2</strong>), as well as synthesis of their<br />analogues (<strong>3a</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>4</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>5</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>6</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>7</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>8</strong>,&nbsp; <strong>9</strong>,&nbsp; ent-<strong>7</strong>and&nbsp; ent-<strong>9</strong>) was achived from&nbsp; D-xylose or<br />D-glucose as starting compounds. In vitro cytotoxic&nbsp; activity of synthetized natural<br />products and analogues against selected human tumour cell lines (K562, HL-60,<br />Jurkat, Raji, HT-29, MDA-MB 231 and HeLa) and against cells of natural foetal lung&nbsp;fibroblasts (MRC-5) was examined.</p>

A terapia fotodinâmica consiste em uma nova e promissora técnica de tratamento de câncer. O tratamento se baseia na administração tópica ou sistêmica de um fotossensibilizador, que se acumula seletivamente em tecido tumoral. Na presença de luz e oxigênio o fotossensibilizador produz espécies tóxicas levando as células à morte. Neste trabalho foi determinada a eficiência fotodinâmica dos corantes fenotiazínicos (Azul de Metileno e Azul de Toluidina O) e xantenos (Rose Bengal, Eritrosina B, Eosina Y e Fluoresceína) através da comparação dos valores de concentração inibitória media (IC50) em células tumorais HEp-2; atividade fotodinâmica utilizando o ácido úrico como dosímetro químico; interação com proteína através da constante de ligação (KA) com BSA e coeficiente de partição em octanol-água (logP). Os resultados foram relacionados com as propriedades moleculares destes corantes afim de se obter uma melhor compreensão de suas estruturas e fornecer subsídios para o planejamento de novos e melhores compostos para serem utilizados como fotossensibilizadores em PDT. Os experimentos mostraram que os fenotiazínicos são mais citotóxicos nesta linhagem celular do que os xantenos, sendo que o Azul de Toluidina O possui o menor valor de IC50. Dentre os xantenos, o Rose Bengal foi o fotossensibilizador mais eficiente em causar fotoxidação do ácido úrico e o Azul de Toluidina O dentre os fenotiazínicos. Estes resultados estão de acordo com os resultados obtidos nos experimentos citotóxicos, em que Rose Bengal e Azul de Toluidina O apresentam os menores valores de IC50, em suas respectivas famílias. Os xantenos possuem maior interação com BSA do que os fenotiazínicos. Os corantes fenotiazínicos são mais hidrofóbicos do que os xantenos (com vii exceção do Rose Bengal), o que corrobora com os valores de IC50, pois também são os mais citotóxicos. Relacionando algumas propriedades moleculares dos corantes obtidos no estudo teórico com os dados experimentais observou-se que; i) quanto menor os valores das energias dos orbitais HOMO e LUMO maior foi os valores obtidos de IC50; ii) os corantes fenotiazínicos são moléculas menores que os corantes xantenos, facilitando sua difusão pela membrana plasmática e a localização nas organelas; iii) nos corantes xantenos a substituição por um átomo de número atômico maior provoca aumento no valor da atividade fotodinâmica e iv) os xantenos apresentam momentos de dipolo maiores do que os fenotiazínicos, explicando assim a maior hidrofilicidade dos xantenos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os corantes fenotiazínicos possuem uma eficiência fotodinâmica superior aos dos corantes xantenos, sendo que o Azul de Toluidina O é o mais eficiente e deve ser considerado como agente potencial para aplicação em PDT. / The photodynamic therapy consists in a new technique for cancer treatment. The treatment is based on topic or systemic administration of a photosensitizer, which is selectively retained in tumor tissue. In the presence of light and oxygen, it produces toxic species to cells leading to their death. In this work it was determinated the photodynamic efficiency of phenothiazinium (Methylene Blue and Toluidine Blue O) and xanthene dyes (Rose Bengal, Erythrosin B, Eosin Y and Fluorescein) by comparing the values of medium inibitory concentration (IC50) in HEp-2; photodynamic activity using the uric acid as a chemical dosimeter; interaction with protein through the binding constant (KA) with BSA and the octanolwater partition coefficient (logP). The results were related with the molecular properties of these dyes, in order to obtain a better understanding of their structures and provide insights for the design of new and better compounds to be used as photosensitizers in PDT. The experiments showed that the phenothiazine dyes are more cytotoxic in this cell line than the xanthenes, being Toluidine Blue the one that has the lower IC50. Among the xanthenes, Rose Bengal was the most efficient photosensitizer in causing photoxidation of uric acid and the Toluidine Blue O among the phenothiazines. These results are consistent with the ones obtained in the cytotoxicity experiments, once the Rose Bengal and Toluidine Blue O have the lower IC50 values, when compared with the other dyes studied in the same family. The xathenes have higher interaction with BSA than the phenothiazines. The phenothiazine dyes are more hydrophobic than the xanthenes (with the exception of Rose Bengal), which corroborate with the IC50 values, once they are also the most cytotoxic. Relating some molecular properties of the dyes obtained in the theoretical studies with the experimental data, it could be observed that; i) the lower is the values of HOMO and LUMO energy, the high is the IC50; ii) the phenothiazine dyes are smaller molecules than the xanthenes, which facilitate their diffusion across the plasmatic membrane and the localization in organelles; iii) in xanthenes dyes the substitution for an atom with higher atomic number increases the photodynamic activity, and iv) the xanthenes dyes have the higher dipole moment than the phenothiazines, explaining the higher hydrophilicity of the xanthenes. The obtained results showed that the phenothiazine dyes have higher photodynamic efficiency than the xanthenes dyes, being Toluidine Blue the most efficient of these dyes and it should be considered as a potential agent for photodynamic therapy.

Annona hypoglauca Mart. foi coletada em área inundada da Floresta Amazônica, próximo à Manaus (Brasil). Os alcalóides foram obtidos do extrato bruto do caule por partição ácido-base, e a partir do resíduo dessa extração foi realizada a partição com solventes de diferentes polaridades, originando as frações livres de alcalóides. A partir da análise de CG-EM dos alcalóides totais foi possível caracterizar sete alcalóides aporfínicos (actinodafinina, anonaina, glaucina, isoboldina, isodomesticina, nornuciferina e roemerina) e possivelmente duas protoberberinas (esculerina e caseadina). Os alcalóides totais foram fracionados em coluna cromatográfica e posteriormente purificados em placa cromatográfica preparativa permitindo o isolamento de dois alcalóides aporfínicos: actinodafinina e isoboldina. As estruturas desses produtos naturais foram definidos com base em espectros de dados, incluindo 1H RMN, 13C RMN, 13C DEPT e CG-EM. Pela primeira vez a ocorrência da actinodafinina esta sendo reportada em uma espécies de Annona. O extrato bruto, as frações livres de alcalóides, os alcalóides totais e suas frações foram submetidos a avaliação da atividade antibacteriana por microdiluição e atividade citotóxica in vitro frente a células de tumores humanos. Para todos os extratos testados, somente os alcalóides totais e suas frações apresentaram atividade frente a bactérias Gram +. No ensaio de citotoxicidade com linhagens de células de tumores, o extrato bruto foi capaz de inibir o crescimento de todas as linhagens celulares testadas, apresentando efeito letal para a linhagem de Câncer de Cólon (KM-12), enquanto as frações livres de alcalóides demonstraram baixa atividade. Por outro lado, as frações livres de alcalóides apresentaram atividade mais pronunciada para a linhagem de Câncer de Pulmão (NCIH-460) do que os alcalóides. Assim, a atividade citotóxica encontrada no extrato bruto é decorrente do sinergismo ou complementação entre os componentes das frações alcaloídicas e não alcaloídicas, isto é, nenhuma das frações isoladamente é responsável pela atividade observada no extrato bruto. / Annona hypoglauca Mart. was collected in the flooded areas of the Amazonian Forest near Manaus (Brazil). The alkaloids were obtained from the stems crude extract by acid-base partitioning and the remaining alkaloid-free extract was partitioned with organic solvents of different polarity. The GC/MS analysis of the total alkaloids allowed the identification of seven aporphine alkaloids (actinophanine, anonaine, glaucine, isoboldine, isodomesticine, nornuciferine and roemerine) and possibly two proberberine alkaloids (scoulerine and caseadine). The total alkaloids were fractionated by column chromatography and further purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography allowing the isolation of two aporphine alkaloids: actinodaphnine and isoboldine. The structures of these natural products were defined based on their spectral data, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 13C DEPT and CG/MS. This is the first report for the occurrence of actinodaphnine in Annona species. The crude extract, alkaloid-free organic extracts, total alkaloids and its fractions were tested for their antibacterial activity by the microdilution broth assay and cytotoxic activity against in vitro tissue culture cells of human. From all the extracts assayed, only the total alkaloids and their fractions showed a relevant antibacterial activity against Gram positive organisms. In the cytotoxicity assay with human tumor cell lines, the crude extract was able to inhibit the growth of all cell lines tested, with a lethal effect for the colon cancer (KM-12) cell line. The evaluation of this activity with the total alkaloid and alkaloid-free fractions indicated selectivity for the different cellular lines. The alkaloid fraction presented high growth inhibition for the colon cancer cell line (KM-12), while the alkaloid-free fractions displayed lower activity. On the other hand, the alkaloid free fractions showed a higher activity for the lung cancer cell line (NCIH-460) than the total alkaloids. Thus, the cytotoxic activity found in the crude extract is the result of the synergism or complementary activity among the components of the alkaloid and alkaloid-free fractions, e.g, none of the fractions separately is responsible for the activity observed in the crude extract.

Oleorresinas de espécies de Copaifera sp são amplamente utilizadas na medicina popular brasileira e estudos químicos e biológicos demonstram que diterpenos e sesquiterpenos estão entre os principais compostos bioativos das oleorresinas. Um importante fator para a avaliação da segurança e eficácia de fármacos é o conhecimento sobre o seu metabolismo, o qual pode ser adquirido por meio de estudos de biotransformação utilizando fungos filamentosos e bactérias do trato gastrointestinal. Os fungos filamentosos são organismos eucariotos e o aparato enzimático se assemelha com o dos mamíferos podendo contribuir para a elucidação de rotas metabólicas fornecendo informações sobre a formação de produtos farmacologicamente ativos, inativos ou tóxicos para o organismo. Esses estudos podem ainda contribuir para a obtenção de substâncias inéditas com potencial atividade biológica. O uso de bactérias da microbiota intestinal em estudos de metabolismo também é importante, pois os medicamentos e alimentos, quando ingeridos, podem ser metabolizados por essas bactérias que colonizam o trato gastrointestinal. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial de fungos filamentosos e de bactérias do trato gastrointestinal para biotransformar o ácido 3?-acetoxi-copálico e ?-cariofileno, presentes em oleorresinas de Copaifera, bem como isolar os produtos de biotransformação para avaliação da citotoxidade. Os experimentos de biotransformação foram realizados com 10 linhagens de fungos filamentosos e com 8 linhagens de bactérias do trato gastrointestinal. Os extratos obtidos em acetato de etila das culturas das biotransformações do diterpeno foram analisados por CLAE/DAD/CAD e CLAE-EM e os extratos obtidos em n-hexano e em acetato de etila das culturas das biotransformações do sesquiterpeno, bem como a fração volátil captada das culturas por microextração em fase sólida (SPME) no modo headspace, foram analisados por CG-EM. Todos os micro-organismos testados foram capazes de biotransformar o ácido 3?-acetoxi-copálico e 9 produtos de biotransformação foram isolados, suas estruturas químicas foram identificadas, sendo seis inéditos e todos os produtos foram avaliados quanto a atividade citotóxica frente às linhagens celulares de glândulas mamárias normais (MCF-10A) e de adenocarcinoma mamário (MCF-7). Todos os metabólitos do ácido 3?-acetoxi-copálico apresentaram menor citotoxidade frente as linhagens avaliadas do que o próprio ácido 3?-acetóxi-copálico. Os fungos A. niger, A. brasiliensis e as três linhagens de Cunninghamella foram capazes de biotransformar o ?-cariofileno. Entretanto, como não foram obtidos bons rendimentos nesses processos, não foi possível isolar os produtos de biotransformação. Com os dados obtidos foi possível apenas elaborar uma proposta para a estrutura química de um dos produtos oriundos da biotransformação do ?-cariofileno realizada com C. echinulata ATCC 9245. / Oleoresins from Copaifera sp species are widely used in Brazilian folk medicine and chemical and biological studies showed that diterpenes and sesquiterpenes are among the main bioactive compounds of oleoresins. An important factor for assessing the safety and efficacy of drugs is the knowledge about their metabolism, which can be acquired through biotransformation studies using filamentous fungi and human gut bacteria. Filamentous fungi are eukaryotic organisms and the enzymatic apparatus is similar to those of mammals and may contribute to the elucidation of metabolic pathways providing information on the production of pharmacologically active, inactive or toxic compounds to the organism. These studies may also contribute to provide new compounds with potential biological activity. The use of human gut bacteria in metabolism studies is also important because drugs and foods, when ingested, can be metabolized by bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of filamentous fungi and human gut bacteria to biotransform 3?-acetoxy-copalic acid and ?-caryophyllene found in oleoresins from Copaifera as well as to isolate the biotransformation products for evaluation of their cytotoxicity. Biotransformation experiments were carried out with 10 filamentous fungi strains and 8 human gut bacteria strains. The ethyl acetate extracts obtained from the biotransformation processes of diterpene were analyzed by HPLC/DAD/CAD and HPLC-MS and n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts obtained from the biotransformation processes of sesquiterpene, as well as the volatile fraction collected by solid phase microextraction headspace, were analyzed by GC-MS. All tested microorganisms were able to biotransform the 3?-acetoxy-copalic acid and 9 biotransformation products were isolated, their chemical structures were identified, from which six are new and all the products were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against normal mammary gland (MCF-10A) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. All metabolites of 3?-acetoxy-copalic acid showed lower cytotoxicity against the evaluated cell lines than the 3?-acetoxy-copalic acid. The fungi A. niger, A. brasiliensis and the three Cunninghamella strains were able to biotransform ?-caryophyllene. However, as good yields were not achieved in these processes, it was not possible to isolate the biotransformation products. The obtained data became possible to just make a proposal for the chemical structure of a product from the ?-caryophyllene biotransformation process performed by C. echinulata ATCC 9245.

Linfócitos T CD8 e células NK atuam no combate à infecções por bactérias intracelulares, vírus e células tumorais, provocando a morte dessas células por meio da secreção de grânulos citotóxicos. Proteínas RAB GTPase têm se destacado em estudos de tráfego intracelular, porém, são escassos dados sobre o papel destas proteínas em células citóxicas. Um estudo prospectivo de proteômica realizado por nosso grupo identificou a RAB2A, RAB5A, RAB17 e RAB18 em grânulos citotóxicos. Análises mais aprofundadas revelaram que a RAB2A está associada a proteínas como LAMP-1 e LAMP-2, enquanto que RAB5A, RAB17 e RAB18 estavam presentes na mesma linhagem em um contexto não contemplado neste estudo. Desenvolvemos ainda uma abordagem de silenciamento gênico da RAB2A, e por fim, adaptamos uma série de protocolos de simples execução e baixo custo para avaliar funções efetoras de células NK. O conhecimento da maquinaria secretória é fundamental, uma vez que defeitos nas vias de tráfego intracelular constituem a base de um grande número de doenças que desencadeiam quadros fatais. / CD8 T lymphocytes and NK cells fight against infections by intracellular bacteria, viruses and tumor cells by killing those cells through the secretion of cytotoxic granules. RAB GTPase has been highlighted in studies of intracellular trafficking, however there are scarce reports regarding the role of these proteins in cytotoxic cells. A proteomic study performed by our group identified RAB2A, RAB5A, RAB17 and RAB18 in cytotoxic granules. Further analysis revealed that RAB2A is associated with LAMP-1 and LAMP-2, while RAB5A, RAB17 and RAB18 were present in the same cell line, but in a context not included in this study. We also have developed a gene silencing approach for RAB2A and adapted a number of protocols, simple and low-cost, that can be used to evaluate effector functions of natural killer cells The knowledge of secretory machinery involved in the movement cytotoxic granules of cytotoxic cells is critical, since defects in intracellular trafficking pathways constitute the basis for a large number of diseases which trigger death.