A glândula pineal é um órgão neuroendócrino regulado pelo fotoperíodo ambiental. Sua principal inervação é constituída por fibras simpáticas provenientes do gânglio cervical superior que, liberando noradrenalina, ativa receptores b1 adrenérgicos resultando na produção noturna de melatonina, cuja biossíntese envolve a conversão da serotonina à NAS. O ATP, co-liberado com a noradrenalina, liga-se a receptores purinérgicos presentes na pineal e leva a uma potenciação da produção de NAS. Após a liberação, o ATP sofre rápida degradação enzimática, degradação esta, funcionalmente importante, uma vez que metabólitos do ATP atuam como ligantes em diferentes receptores. Os receptores purinérgicos são classificados em duas grandes famílias: receptores P1, que reconhecem adenosina e, receptores P2, que reconhecem principalmente ATP, ADP e AMP. Várias famílias de enzimas estão envolvidas na hidrólise de ATP liberado para o meio extracelular, sendo elas: as E-NTPDases, as E-NPPs e a ecto-5\'-nucleotidase. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a expressão gênica, a distribuição celular e a atividade das ecto-nucleotidases na glândula pineal de ratos a fim de aprimorar a caracterização do sistema purinérgico neste órgão. / The pineal gland is a neuroendocrine organ regulated by environmental photoperiod. Its main innervation is constitute by fibers from the sympathetic superior cervical ganglion that by releasing noradrenaline active b1 adrenergic receptors resulting in the nocturnal production of melatonin whose biosynthesis involves the conversion of serotonin to NAS. ATP, co-released with norepinephrine binds purinergic receptors present in the pineal gland and leads to an enhancement of the production of NAS. After release, ATP and other nucleotides are rapid enzymatic degradation, this degradation is functionally important since ATP metabolites act as ligands in different receivers. Purinergic receptors are classified into two large families: P1 receptors that recognize adenosine and P2 receptors that recognize mainly ATP, ADP and AMP. Several families of enzymes are involved in the hydrolysis of ATP released into the extracellular environment: the E-NTPDase, E-NPP and the ecto-5\'-nucleotidase. This study aimed to characterize the gene expression, the cellular distribution and activity of ecto-nucleotidases in the rat pineal gland in order to improve the characterization of the purinergic system in this organ.

Ácidos graxos são requeridos para a manutenção da função celular e atuam como moduladores da secreção de insulina induzida. Os importantes sítios de formação de EROs são a mitocôndria e a NAD(P)H oxidase, a primeira pode alterar a produção de EROs em função da atividade metabólica e a segunda tem sua atividade regulada por diversos fatores, dentre eles a PKC .O ácido oléico, junto com o palmítico, é um dos AGs mais abundantes na circulação. O tratamento agudo (1 hora) com 100 µM de ácido oléico aumentou a secreção de insulina associado ao aumento no metabolismo do AG. A oxidação desse ácido graxo induziu aumento no conteúdo de EROs em 16,7 mM de glicose com participação da NAD(P)H oxidase. Apesar da reconhecida função da EROs como sinalizadores, a diminuição de EROs induzida pela inibição da NAD(P)H oxidase promoveu aumento relativo na oxidação da glicose. A secreção relativa de insulina aumentou após inibição da NAD(P)H oxidase, sugerindo função regulatória das EROs no metabolismo da glicose e, conseqüentemente, da secreção de insulina. Dessa forma, o ácido oléico é capaz de aumentar a secreção de insulina com participação da NAD(P)H oxidase e as EROs produzidas por essa enzima promovendo a regulação do metabolismo da glicose. / Fatty acids are required to maintain cellular functioning and are able to modulate insulin secretion from pancreatic islets. The important sites of ROS production are the mitochondria and the NAD(P)H oxidase. The mitochondrial ROS release depends on cellular activity and NAD(P)H oxidase activity depends on many factors, including PKC. Acute (1 hour) exposure to oleic acid increased insulin secretion at 16.7 mM glucose. The insulin secretion induced by OA was associated to increased fatty acid oxidation and decreased glucose metabolism. Also, at 16.7 mM glucose, OA oxidation increased ROS production mediated by NAD(P)H. ROS decreased content induced by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibition induced glucose oxidation re-establishment after OA stimulus. The relative secretion was stimulated by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibition after OA stimulus. This suggests that ROS produced by NAD(P)H oxidase act as glucose metabolism regulators in the pancreatic cell. In consequence of glucose metabolism re-establishment the insulin secretion was increased. In conclusion, ROS produced by NAD(P)H oxidase are regulators of glucose metabolism. The glucose metabolism regulation may be in part responsible for the increased insulin secretion induced by ROS.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar três agrupamentos de genes da alfa proteobactéria Caulobacter crescentus envolvidos na resposta a metais e antibióticos. Analisamos o agrupamento composto pelos genes CC1637-CC1640, que contém um sistema BlaR/BlaI de transdução de sinal, e realizamos uma análise comparativa de dois sistemas de efluxo da família RND composto pelos genes CC2720-CC2725 e CC2388-CC2390 que estariam envolvidos na resposta a metais cádmio e zinco. Mutantes simples e duplos com deleção em fase foram obtidos, e o estudo da atividade promotora foi realizado através de ensaio de <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase utilizando gene repórter lacZ . Ensaios de RT-PCR e atividade <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase mostraram que o gene CC1638 provavelmente não possui promotor próprio e que os genes CC1637- CC1640 podem consituir um operon. A atividade promotora do gene CC1640 não responde a H2O2, Cd2+ e Zn2+, mas a linhagem <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1640 apresentou baixa viabilidade na presença de Cd2+. As linhagens <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1637 e <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1638 mostraram sensibilidade a t-butil-hidroperóxido. A linhagem <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1640 mostrou-se sensível aos antibióticos CTX e PPT, e ensaios de <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase em placa e em meio liquido mostraram indução da expressão pelos antibióticos CTX e CFE. Observamos uma auto-regulação do operon pela proteína codificada pelo gene CC1640 (BlaI), confirmado por ensaios de EMSA. A presença de BlaR inibe a ligação da proteína BlaI ao promotor, sugerindo que ambas BlaI/BlaR regulem em conjunto o promotor do gene CC1640. Análise in silico do consenso TTACGNNCGTAA localizado no promotor de CC1640 identificou esta sequência na região promotora de outros genes. A análise da expressão relativa sugere que os genes CC1568, CC1230 e CC2661 são regulados pela proteína BlaI, sugerindo que BlaI regula a expressão de outros genes possivelmente envolvidos na resposta a antibióticos <font face=\"Symbol\">b-lactâmicos. Ensaios de atividade <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase da região intergênica CC2720-CC2721 mostraram que esta não possui atividade promotora, e análise por RT-PCR confirmou que os genes CC2720-CC2721 são co-transcritos e que fazem parte do operon CC2720-CC2725. A expressão do operon mostrou indução significativa na presença de Cd2+, moderada indução na presença de Zn2+ e Co2+, e pouca indução na presença de Ni2+. A expressão do operon CC2388-CC2390 é altamente induzida na presença de níquel e cobalto, não é induzida por cádmio e moderadamente induzida por zinco. A linhagem <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC2724 não é sensível a zinco, cobalto ou níquel. A linhagem <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC2390 é sensível a cobalto, pouco sensível a níquel e não sensível a zinco, e ambas as linhagens foram sensíveis a cádmio. A obtenção do duplo mutante, assim como sua complementação, foram realizadas, e os resultados sugerem que se trata de dois sistemas de efluxo com diferentes respostas a metal. / The aim of this work is to characterize three clusters of genes from the alpha proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus involved in metal and antibiotics response. We analyzed the cluster comprising genes CC1637-CC1640, which contains a BlaR/BlaI signal transduction system, and we performed a comparative analysis with two RND efflux systems consisting on genes CC2720-CC2725 and CC2388-CC2390, which are probably involved in cadmium and zinc response. Mutant strains for one or two of these genes were obtained, and the study of promoter activity was performed by <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase activity assays using lacZ as reporter gene. RT-PCR and <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase activity assays revealed that the CC1638 gene probably does not possess an exclusive promoter, and that the genes CC1637-CC1640 may constitute an operon. The promoter of CC1640 does not respond to H2O2, Cd2+ and Zn2+, but the <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1640 strain presented low viability in the presence of Cd2+. The <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1637 and <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1638 strains showed sensitivity to t-butyl-hydroperoxide. The <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC1640 strain showed sensitivity to the antibiotics CTX and PPT, and <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase activity assays performed both on plates and liquid medium showed induction of the expression by the presence of antibiotics CTX and CFE. We observed auto-regulation of the operon by the protein encoded by the CC1640 gene (BlaI), which was confirmed by EMSA assays. The presence of BlaR inhibits the binding of the BlaI protein to the promoter, suggesting that both BlaI/BlaR regulate the CC1640 gene promoter. In silico analyses for the TTACGNNCGTAA consensus, located on CC1640 promoter, identified this sequence in promoter regions of other genes. Relative expression analyses indicate that the genes CC1568, CC1230 and CC2661 are regulated by the BlaI protein, suggesting that BlaI regulates the expression of other genes, possibly involved in <font face=\"Symbol\">b-lactamic antibiotics response. <font face=\"Symbol\">b-galactosidase activity assays of the intergenic region CC2720-CC2721 showed that it does not possess promoter activity, and a RT-PCR analysis confirmed that the genes CC2720-CC2721 are co-transcribed and belong to the CC2720-CC2725 operon. The expression of the operon showed significant induction in the presence of Cd2+, moderate induction in the presence of Zn2+ and Co2+, and a slight induction in the presence of Ni2+. The expression of the CC2388-CC2390 operon is highly induced in the presence of nickel and cobalt, not induced by cadmium and moderately induced by zinc. The <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC2724 strain is not sensitive to zinc, cobalt or nickel. The <font face=\"Symbol\">DCC2390 strain is sensitive to cobalt, slightly sensitive to nickel and not sensitive to zinc, and both strains are sensitive to cadmium. A double mutant was constructed, as well as a complemented strain, and results suggest that these are two efflux systems with distinct metal responses.

Phospholipase C enzymes are a class of enzymes that catalyse the cleavage of the membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P₂) into the second messengers, inositol trisphosphate (Ins(4,5)P₃) and diacylglycerol (DAG). Six classes of PLC enzymes have been identified based on their structure and mechanism of activation. PLCηs are the most recently identified family and consist of two isozymes, PLCη1 and PLCη2. The aim of this thesis is to further understand the mechanisms of PLCη activation, the role of PLCη2 in relation to neuritogenesis and their roles in certain disease states. Both isoforms were found to be activated by physiological concentrations of intracellular Ca²⁺. Activation of PLCη2 by Gß₁γ₂ was confirmed using a bacterial 2A co-expression system to allow expression of PLCη2, Gß₁ and Gγ₂ with a single plasmid. Localisation studies show a nuclear distribution for PLCη2, but a cytoplasmic distribution for PLCη1 in a neuroblastoma cells line (Neuro2A). PLCη2 has been implicated in brain development and neurite formation. Building on this, a neuronal differentiation model using RA-treated Neuro2A cells stably expressing mutant forms of PLCη2 was utilised, revealing that PLCη2 activity is essential for neuritogenesis but that this process is independent of the enzymes high sensitivity towards Ca²⁺. Furthermore, the direct interaction of PLCη2 and LIMK-1, a previously identified PLCη2 associated protein, is confirmed in the aforementioned neuronal model. Due to the high sensitivity of PLCη enzymes to Ca²⁺ and because of their presence within neurons, they may be involved in Ca²⁺ dysregulation that occurs in certain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The role of PLCη2 was assessed in amyloid-ß (Aß) treated differentiated Neuro2A cells, a cellular model for AD pathogenesis. Also a developmental role for PLCη1 was investigated due to a recently identified PLCη1 polymorphism in patients with holoprosencephaly, an embryonic midline defect.

O veneno de Bothops jararaca contém uma série de componentes, entre eles as metaloproteinases hemorrágicas jararagina e bothropasina. Os cDNAs dessas toxinas mostram 97% de identidade. As diferenças, distribuídas ao longo de seus cDNAs, sugerem que estes mRNas não resultam de splicing alternativo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os genes codificadores da jararagina e bothropasina pela identificação de exons e introns no DNA genômico. DNA foi extraído do sangue de um exemplar de B. jararaca; os primers para PCR foram baseados nos cDNAs publicados. Os produtos de amplificação foram clonados e seqüenciados revelando a sequência dos genes TOX1 com 12535 pb e TOX2 com 12268 pb. Quatorze exons e treze introns foram identificados em ambos os genes. Comparação entre as sequências mostrou pontos de mutação, inserções e deleções nos exons, e principalmente nos introns dos dois genes. Este constitui o primeiro relato na literatura sobre a identificação de exons e introns nos genes codificadores de jararagina e bothropasina. / The Bothops jararaca venom contains a number of components, including hemorrhagic metalloproteinases as jararhagin and bothropasin. The cDNA of these toxins show 97% identity. The differences distributed along the cDNAs length suggest that these mRNAs do not result from alternative splicing. This study aimed to characterize the genes that encode for jararhagin and bothropasin through the identification of exons and introns in genomic DNA. DNA was extracted from the blood of a B. jararaca specimen; PCR primers were based on published cDNA sequences. Amplification products were cloned and sequenced revealing the TOX1 gene is about 12,535 bp long, and TOX2 is 12,268 bp. Fourteen exons and thirteen introns were identified in both genes. Comparison of the sequences showed point mutations, insertions and deletions in exons, and particularly in introns. This is the first report in the literature on the identification of exons and introns in genes encoding for jararhagin and bothropasin.

Addendum inserted at back Includes bibliographical references (leaves 266-287). 1. Introduction -- 2. Materials and general methods -- 3. Characterisation and partial purification of the lysosomal sulphate transporter -- 4. Identification of proteins involved in lysosomal sulphate transport -- 5. The relationship between a sulphate anion transporter family and the lysosomal sulphate transporter -- 6. Investigation of sulphate transport in human skin fibroblasts -- 7. Concluding remarks

Addendum inserted at back / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 266-287). / xxiv, 289 leaves, [2] leaves of plates : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Paediatrics, 2001

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Zoology / Master / Master of Philosophy

The biochemical basis for the regulation of sucrose accumulation is not fully understood. The present study was thus aimed at investigating aspects of 'coarse' (enzyme activity) and 'fine' (metabolite) control of glycolytic enzyme activity in relation to carbon partitioning in the developing stalk (internodes 3 to 10), and between varieties with significant differences in sucrose content. Particular emphasis was placed on studying pyrophosphate: D-fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (PFP, EC 2.7.1.90), since this enzyme has been implicated in sucrose metabolism in other plant species. Within the developing stalk, internodal maturation was associated with a redirection carbon from the insoluble matter and total respiration (C02 production and biosynthesis) to sucrose storage. Between varieties, with significant variation in sucrose content, there was an inverse relationship between hexose monophosphate partitioning into respiration and sucrose. The reduction in carbon flux to respiration was not associated with a decline in the extractable specific activity of PK, PFK and PFP. There was also no alteration in the regulation of PK, PFK and FBPase by change in the mass action ratios. Hexose monophosphate concentration declined approximately two to three-fold from internodes 3 to 9 and Fru-6-P concentration was within the lower Km or 80.5 range (Fru-6-P) of PFP and PFK, respectively (as reported from the literature) . Within the developing stalk, substrate limitation might have contributed to the decline in carbon partitioning to respiration. In sugarcane, the levels of PFP activity were controlled in part by PFP protein expression. 8ugarcane PFP polypeptide(s) are resolved as a single protein with a molecular mass of approximately 72 kO. PFP catalysed a reaction close to equilibrium in all intemodes investigated, and the concentration of Fru-2,6-P2 was shown to be in excess of the requirement to stimulate PFP activity. Carbon flux from the triose-P to hexose monophosphate pool was apparent in sugarcane, suggesting that PFP activity was functional in vivo. The developmental profile of specific PFP activity was not positively correlated to the increasing rate of sucrose accumulation in the top ten internodes of the developing stalk. Between different sugarcane varieties, specific PFP activity was shown to be inversely correlated to sucrose content. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Paediatrics, 1991. / Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. Includes bibliographical references.