The 70 kDa heat shock proteins expressed by Plasmodium falciparum (PfHsp70s) are believed to be essential to both the survival and virulence of the malaria parasite. A total of six Hsp70 genes have been identified in the genome of P. falciparum. However, only four of these encode canonical Hsp70s, which are believed to localise predominantly in the cytosol (PfHsp70-1 and PfHsp70-x), the endoplasmic reticulum (PfHsp70-2) and mitochondria (PfHsp70-3) of the parasite. These proteins bind and release peptide substrates in an ATP-dependent manner, with the aid of a J-domain protein cochaperone and a nucleotide exchange factor (NEF). The aim of this study was to identify the residues involved in the interaction of these PfHsp70s with their peptide substrates, their J-domain cochaperones and potential NEFs. These residues were then mapped to three-dimensional (3D) structures of the proteins, modelled in three different conformations; each representing a different stage in the ATPase cycle. Additionally, these proteins were compared to different types of Hsp70s from a variety of different organisms and sequence features found to be specific to each PfHsp70 were mapped to their 3D structures. Finally, a novel modelling method was suggested, in which the structures of templates were remodelled to improve their quality before they were used in the homology modelling process. Based on the analysis of residues involved in interactions with other proteins, it was revealed that each PfHsp70 displayed features that were specific to its cellular localisation and each type of Hsp70 was predicted to interact with a different set of NEFs. The study of conserved features in each PfHsp70 revealed that PfHsp70-x displayed various sequence features atypical of both Plasmodium cytosolic Hsp70s and cytosolic Hsp70s in general. Additionally, residues conserved specifically in Hsp70s of Apicomplexa, Plasmodium and P. falciparum were identified and mapped to the each PfHsp70 model. Although these residues were too numerous to reveal any information of specific value, these models may be useful for the purposes of aiding the design of drug compounds against each PfHsp70. Finally, the novel modelling approach did show some promise. Half of the models produced using the modified templates were of a higher quality than their counterparts modelled using the original templates. This approach does still require a lot of validation work and statistical evaluation. It is hoped that it could prove to be a useful approach to homology modelling when the only templates available are poor quality structures.

Currently the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is known to contain at least 20 different protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) family members. The oxidoreductases in the PDI family are thought to catalyse the formation and rearrangement of disulphide bonds in newly synthesised proteins. The focus of this work was to characterise two of the PDI family members: PDI and ERp46. In vitro translation reactions of major histocompatibility complex (MHC), β1-integrin (β1-I), haemagglutinin (HA), procollagen α1(III) and preprolaction (pPL) were carried out in untreated or PDI-depleted cells. The depletion of PDI decreased the rate of folding of MHC and β1-I and also prevented the oligomerisation of HA, suggesting a role for PDI in folding these putative substrates. However, when PDI was depleted neither the folding of pPL or HA was affected, implying that they may not be substrates for PDI. To determine the role of ERp46 in the cell, a substrate-trapping approach was used. Here substrates interacting with ERp46 were trapped as mixed disulphides isolated by immunoprecipitation, separated by 2D SDS-PAGE and identified by mass spectrometry. It was demonstrated that ERp46 forms mixed disulphides with at least 23 proteins, including heavily secreted proteins such as laminins, integrins and collagens. In particular, interactions with Ero1, Prx IV, EDEM3 and ERAP2 were found and confirmed by immunoprecipitation of radiolabelled in vitro translated protein. Notably nine of these clients of ERp46 have previously been identified as substrates of ERp57 (Jessop, Watkins et al. 2009). This would support the hypothesis that several different oxidoreductases, working in concert, are required to fold certain substrate proteins. Also, it was confirmed that Prx IV and Ero1 each form a mixed disulphide with PDI. These results highlight the importance of PDI family members in recruiting co-factors to substrates. Additionally, the over-expression of ERp46 led to increased cell survival following DTT treatment, yet after depletion of ERp46, cells were less able to grow, perhaps suggesting a role for ERp46 in maintaining ER redox homeostasis and cell survival. This suggestion was supported by the finding that ERp46 is able to catalyse the reduction of Prx IV in the presence of glutathione. These results suggest that Prx IV provides a novel mechanism for the transfer of disulphide bonds to nascent proteins in the ER via PDI family members such as ERp46 and PDI.

Les signalisations oncogéniques induisent une consommation accrue de glucose qui n'est que partiellement satisfaite par le microenvironnement. Pour s'adapter et survivre à ce stress métabolique, les cellules malignes mettent en jeu des mécanismes qui restent mal compris. Nos travaux montrent que cette limitation en glucose a pour principale conséquence de déclencher une apoptose via la voie de signalisation PERK-CHOP de la réponse à un stress du réticulum endoplasmique (SRE), nommée Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Nous avons découvert que le RE est capable de sentir la carence en glucose via la diminution de la disponibilité en UDP Nacétylglucosamine produit par la voie des hexosamines. La délétion du facteur pro-Apoptotique CHOP dans un modèle de cancer spontané du poumon induit par KrasG12V chez la souris augmente l'incidence tumorale, confirmant que le SRE constitue un mécanisme cellulaire de sauvegarde anti-Tumoral. Nous montrons également que le franchissement de cette barrière implique l'atténuation sélective de la voie PERK-CHOP par la protéine chaperon p58IPK, qui permet aux cellules de bénéficier en retour des effets protecteurs des autres voies d'un UPR devenu chronique. Ces résultats révèlent une dualité fonctionnelle pour le stress du RE dans la tumorigenèse contrôlée, au moins pour partie, par la protéine p58IPK / During carcinogenesis, oncogene activation induces high glucose avidity that outstrips the microenvironment supply until angiogenesis occurs. How malignant cells cope with this potentially lethal metabolic stress remains poorly understood. We found that oncogene-Driven glucose shortage triggers apoptosis through the PERK-CHOP pathway of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPR). Deletion of the pro-Apoptotic UPR effector CHOP in a mouse model of KrasG12V induced lung cancer increases tumour incidence, strongly supporting the notion that ER stress serves as a barrier to malignancy. Overcoming this barrier requires the selective attenuation of the PERK-CHOP arm of the UPR by the molecular chaperone p58IPK. Furthermore, p58IPK-Mediated adaptive response enables cells to benefit from the protective features of chronic UPR. Altogether, these results show that ER stress activation and p58IPK expression control the fate of malignant cells facing glucose shortage

Orientador: Marcelo Fábio Gouveia Nogueira / Resumo: Embora estágios iniciais de embriões de mamíferos tenham aparentemente uma grande plasticidade, eles, assim como o oócito em maturação, são bastante sensíveis a estresses exógenos. Responder a esses estresses é uma parte vital da fisiologia celular. Cada vez mais é aparente que um dos principais mecanismos, para iniciar a resposta celular a uma variedade de estressores exógenos, reside no retículo endoplasmático (RE). O RE é uma importante organela responsável pela síntese, processamento e transporte de proteínas e lipídeos. No entanto e in vitro, a perturbação do microambiente do RE pode causar alterações na estrutura das proteínas levando ao acúmulo de proteínas com o incorreto dobramento, uma condição denominada estresse do RE. Dependendo da intensidade do estresse, o RE pode desencadear a apoptose pela Unfolded Protein Response. Em várias espécies, estudos observaram uma melhoria da competência do oócito e no desenvolvimento do embrião quando foram adicionados inibidores do estresse do RE no meio de maturação e/ou meio de cultivo in vitro (CIV). Dentre os inibidores do estresse do RE, o ácido tauroursodesoxicólico (TUDCA) se mostrou benéfico na produção in vitro de embriões. Entretanto, pouco é conhecido sobre o seu efeito na maturação oocitária e no desenvolvimento do embrião bovino in vitro. Portanto, os objetivos gerais desta Tese foram: Capítulo 1 - investigar o efeito da adição de TUDCA durante a maturação in vitro (MIV) sobre a competência do oócito e do embrião [ma... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Although early stages of mammalian embryos appear to retain great plasticity, they and maturing oocytes are quite sensitive to exogenous stresses. Responding to those stresses is a vital part of cellular physiology, and it is increasingly apparent that one of the main mechanisms for initiating that response is based on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER is an important organelle responsible for the synthesis, processing, folding and transport of proteins and lipids. However, in vitro, the disturbance of the ER microenvironment can cause changes in the structure and folding of proteins leading to the accumulation of misfolding proteins, a condition called ER stress. Depending on the intensity of the stress, the ER can trigger apoptosis by Unfolded Protein Response. In several species, studies have reported an improvement in oocyte and embryo competence when ER stress inhibitors have been added to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium and/or in vitro culture (IVC) medium. Among the ER stress inhibitors, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) has been shown to be beneficial in in vitro embryo production. However, little is known about TUDCA’s effect on oocyte maturation and the development of bovine embryo in vitro. Therefore, the main objectives of this Thesis were: Chapter 1 - to investigate the effect of adding different TUDCA concentrations during IVM on the oocyte and embryo competence [nuclear maturation, mitochondrial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, pronucle... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22015号 / 工博第4627号 / 新制||工||1721(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科合成・生物化学専攻 / (主査)教授 浜地 格, 教授 梅田 眞郷, 教授 跡見 晴幸 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第22293号 / 理博第4607号 / 新制||理||1661(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)准教授 細川 暢子, 教授 森 和俊, 教授 杤尾 豪人 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第23080号 / 医博第4707号 / 新制||医||1049(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 萩原 正敏, 教授 伊藤 貴浩, 教授 稲垣 暢也 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Dans les cellules eucaryotes, des altérations du microenvironnement cellulaire ou desmutations des protéines de la voie de sécrétion induisent un stress du RE et activent uneréponse adaptative nommée UPR. Les signaux intracellulaires associés à l’UPR sont transmisde la lumière du RE vers le noyau par trois protéines transmembranaires dont IRE1α aussiappelée ERN1. Lors d'un stress du RE, IRE1α s'oligomérise, activant ses domaines kinase etendoribonucléase desquelles découle une signalisation intracellulaire complexe. Denombreuses études reliant l'UPR au cancer désignent IRE1α comme un acteur majeur de latumorigenèse, en particulier dans la croissance et la vascularisation des glioblastomes (GBM),bien que les mécanismes précis mis en jeu restent à déterminer. Des études menées dans notrelaboratoire ont identifié deux cibles de l'activité endoribonucléase d'IRE1α (RIDD) : SPARCet PER1, comme effecteurs respectifs des effets pro-migratoire, pro-angiogénique et proprolifératifd'IRE1α dans les GBM. De plus, ces dernières années, le séquençage d'IRE1α apermis d'identifier environ cinquante mutations, dont quatre non silencieuses ont étéidentifiées dans des biopsies de GBM. L'expression de ces quatre mutations, dont A414Tidentifiée dans le laboratoire, dans les cellules U-87 MG, et l'implantation de ces cellules dansle cerveau de souris a permis de mettre en évidence le rôle pro tumoral de la mutation A414Tet le rôle anti-tumoral de la mutation P336L. A414T stabilise les oligomères d'IRE1α, suractivantles voies de signalisation en aval et conduisant à une croissance plus rapide et unevascularisation plus importante des tumeurs. Ainsi, nos travaux confirment qu'IRE1α est unrégulateur central du développement des GBM et pourrait constituer un marqueur pronostic etune cible thérapeutique des GBM. / In eukaryotic cells, alterations in the cellular microenvironment or mutations in the protein secretory pathway induce ER stress and activate an adaptive response termed UPR. The intracellular signals associated with UPR are transmitted from the ER lumen to the nucleus by three transmembrane proteins among which IRE1α also called ERN1. During ER stress, IRE1α oligomerizes, activating its kinase and endoribonuclease domains and a downstream complex intracellular signaling. Many studies linking the UPR to cancer point to IRE1α as a major player in tumorigenesis, particularly in the growth and vascularization of glioblastomas (GBM), although the precise mechanisms involved remain to be determined. Studies led in our laboratory have identified two targets of IRE1α endoribonuclease activity (RIDD): SPARC and PER1 as respective effectors of pro–angiogenic, pro-migratory and proproliferative effects of IRE1α in GBM. In addition, in recent years, IRE1α sequencing identified around fifty mutations, four of which have been identified in GBM biopsies. The expression of these four mutations, including A414T identified in the laboratory, in the U-87 MG cells, and implantation of these cells into mouse brain has highlighted the pro-tumoral role of the A414T mutation and the anti-tumor role of the P336L mutation. A414T oligomers stabilize IRE1α, over-activating downstream signaling pathways and leading to a faster growth and greater tumor vascularization. Thus, our work confirms that IRE1α is a central regulator of GBM development and may be a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in GBM.

Cell migration is essential for homeostasis and the development of metastases. We hypothesize that cell migration is regulated by mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum morphology. Using live cell microscopy, we found that mitochondria specifically migrate into the biochemically dense leading edge of the cell interacting with focal adhesions as well. At the leading edge the mitochondria are visibly shorter and less tubular than the perinuclear area. This is related to the elevated levels of fission events per minute in the leading edge and elevated levels of fusion events per minute in the trailing edge. We observe that mitochondria migrate along microtubules and simultaneously interact with the ER. When the ER is sheet-like the mitochondria are longer and tubular and when the ER is tubular the mitochondria are shorter and punctate. This change in ER and mitochondria morphology changes the cell’s ability to migrate. CLIMP63 cells have more sporadic turns, take longer to make turns, have shorter distances travelled and shorter displacements. To determine whether mitochondria dynamics play a role we examined these cell migration parameters in the presence of OPA1 and Drp1. This allowed us to conclude that the ER morphology is responsible for the distance and displacement the cell travels while the mitochondria is responsible for the angles the cell turns. When the ER is sheet-like the cells will be travel shorter total distances and displacements and when the cell has longer mitochondria it will be sporadic turns and take longer to make these turns.

No description available.