Student Number : 9605361W - PhD thesis - School of Pathology - Faculty of Science / Malaria is one of the most debilitating parasitic infections to have afflicted humanity and remains an expanding health risk for many countries. This is attributed largely to the complexity of the parasite’s life cycle and refined ability to evade host immunity. During development within the erythrocyte, Plasmodium falciparum induces a wide array of changes to the ultrastructure, function and antigenic properties of the host membrane. Numerous proteins encoded by the parasite associate with the erythrocyte skeleton and appear to be essential for P. falciparum survival. The elucidation of new protein-protein interactions has therefore formed a key area of malaria research. To circumvent the difficulties provided by conventional protein techniques, a novel application of phage display technology was used in this research. P. falciparum phage display libraries were created and biopanned against human erythrocyte skeletal protein 4.1 (4.1R). DNA sequencing and bioinformatic investigations uncovered a number of parasite proteins with binding specificity toward 4.1R. They included five hypothetical proteins, two invasion proteins, namely erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (EBA-175) and EBA-181, two predicted protein kinases and a putative aminopeptidase. A common binding motif displaying homology to muscle myosin and neurofilament sequences was also identified in four of the ten proteins. The interaction between EBA-181 and 4.1R was characterised further by mapping the domain in 4.1R responsible for binding to the parasite protein. Recombinant proteins were used in blot-overlay and pull-down experiments, which revealed specific interaction between the highly conserved 10kDa domain and the 4.1R binding region in EBA-181. Binding was concentration dependent, as well as saturable and was abolished by heat denaturation of 4.1R. Functions of the 4.1R-specific parasite proteins remain to be determined, however, they are potentially involved in parasite growth and survival during intra-erythrocytic development. Furthermore, these proteins may also participate in the entry and/or exit of parasites from the human erythrocyte. The interaction of EBA-181 with the 10kDa domain of 4.1R provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms utilised by P. falciparum during erythrocyte entry. It also highlights the multifunctional role of malaria invasion proteins, which may contribute to the success of the pathogenic stage of the parasite’s life cycle.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / "May 2002." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-245).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-245).

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / A anemia falciforme à uma doenÃa genÃtica frequente, decorrente de uma modificaÃÃo pontual na posiÃÃo seis do gene da hemoglobina, que resulta em alelos diferentes, que quando transcrito, codifica a hemoglobina S, que leva a formaÃÃo das hemÃcias falcÃmicas. As hemÃcias contendo hemoglobina S adquirem, em condiÃÃes de hipÃxia, a forma de foice, causando crise vaso oclusiva nos portadores. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo isolar proteÃnas da membrana eritrocitÃria de pacientes com anemia falciforme (nas fases sintomÃtica e assintomÃtica) e correlacionar alteraÃÃes identificadas nestes perÃodos, utilizando Cromatografia LÃquida de Alta PressÃo (HPLC)-Troca iÃnica, SDS-PAGE 1D e 2D e Espectrometria de Massa (MS). Foi realizada anÃlise proteÃmica em proteÃnas de membrana eritrocitÃria obtidas de amostras de sangue perifÃrico de trÃs pacientes, colhidas ao longo de dois anos, e separadas de acordo com a presenÃa (PC) ou ausÃncia de crise vaso oclusiva (PSC) no momento da coleta. O grupo controle foi formado por dois indivÃduos sem diagnÃstico de hemoglobinopatia. Foi identificada a presenÃa de maior concentraÃÃo de proteÃnas na membrana de eritrÃcitos falcÃmicos, em especial nos pacientes PSC e evidenciou-se que durante as crises a quantidade de proteÃna presente na membrana do eritrÃcito dos pacientes sofre reduÃÃo (20,7% - PC1; 34,2% - PC3 e 45,2% - PC2). Dentre as 159 proteÃnas extraÃdas da membrana de eritrÃcitos falcÃmicos, 148 foram identificadas, e 11 nÃo foram identificadas, usando-se como parÃmetro a base de dados TagIdent ExPASy. Dentre as proteÃnas nÃo identificadas, seis foram extraÃdas da membrana eritrocitÃria de pacientes PC e cinco de pacientes PSC. A identificaÃÃo da proteÃna PRDX2 (uma peroxirredoxina com massa molecular aparente de 41 kDa) com massa molecular aparente inferior a 30 kDa sugere a alteraÃÃo estrutural desta proteÃna. A nÃo identificaÃÃo de 11 proteÃnas extraÃdas da membrana de eritrÃcitos falcÃmicos sugere alteraÃÃo quantitativa na expressÃo proteica destes pacientes. Nossos resultados sugerem ainda que as crises vaso-oclusivas podem estar relacionadas a uma reduÃÃo na concentraÃÃo total de proteÃnas da membrana eritrocitÃria nos pacientes. / Sickle cell anemia is a common genetic disorder resulting from a specific change in position six of the hemoglobin gene, which results in different alleles, which when transcribed, codes for hemoglobin S which leads to the formation of sickle erythrocytes. Red blood cells containing hemoglobin S acquire in hypoxic conditions, the sickle-shaped, causing vaso-occlusive crisis in patients. This study aimed to isolate erythrocyte membrane proteins of patients with sickle cell anemia (in symptomatic and asymptomatic stages) and to correlate changes identified in these periods, using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC - ion exchange), SDS-PAGE (1D and 2D) and Mass Spectrometry (MS-ESI)). Was performed proteomic analysis in erythrocyte membrane proteins obtained from peripheral blood samples from three patients, collected over two years, and separated according to the presence (PC) or absence of vaso-occlusive crisis (PSC) at the time of collection. The control group consisted of two individuals with no diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies. We identified the presence of a higher concentration of membrane proteins in sickle cell erythrocytes, particularly in CSP patients and showed that during attacks the amount of protein present in the erythrocyte membrane of patients undergoes reduction (20.7% -PC1; 34 2% - PC3 and 45.2% - PC2). Among the 159 membrane proteins extracted from sickle cell erythrocytes, 148 were identified and 11 were not identified, using as parameter the database ExPASy TagIdent. Among the proteins not identified, six were extracted from the plasma membrane of PC patients and five PSC patients. The identification of PRDX2 protein (peroxiredoxin with an apparent molecular mass of 41 kDa) with an apparent molecular weight below 30 kDa, suggesting the structural change of this protein. Failure to identify 11 proteins extracted membrane of sickle cell erythrocytes suggests quantitative changes in protein expression of these patients. Our results also suggest that the vaso-occlusive crises may be related to a reduction in total protein concentration of the erythrocyte membrane in patients.

Fresh isolated erythrocyte ghost membranes and erythrocyte suspensions were incubated with an organic hydroperoxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, to establish the in vitro oxidative stress models. Circulating erythrocytes from normal individuals were fractionated into subpopulations of different ages by ultracentrifugation and used as an in vivo model. In these models, membrane iPF2alpha-III content accumulation was proportional to oxidative stress and correlated with decreased membrane fluidity. In circulating erythrocytes, membrane iPF2alpha-III increased with age and inversely correlated with membrane fluidity only in the core region. / Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of a wide variety of human diseases. Isoprostanes, a family of prostaglandin derivatives, are mainly derived from free radical peroxidation of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Measurement of F2-isoprostanes (F2-iPs) or one specific biologically active isomer (iPF2alpha-III) is considered to be a reliable lipid peroxidation marker in human diseases. However, the association observed between increased plasma/urine F2-iPs and diseases does not necessarily reflect tissue oxidative damages. Circulating erythrocytes, a tissue with limited biosynthetic capacity and poor repair mechanism, would offer a number of advantages for assessment of in vivo oxidative damages. In this thesis, human erythrocyte membrane iPF2alpha-III content was investigated as a new marker for in vivo oxidative stress assessment. Membrane fluidity was used as an indirect marker of cellular function. / To use membrane iPF2alpha-III in a human disease with known oxidative stress burden, 49 Chinese patients on long-term haemodialysis and 31 healthy Chinese subjects were recruited. Both plasma and membrane iPF 2alpha-III showed that haemodialysis patients had increased oxidative stress. Only membrane iPF2alpha-III, but not the conventional used plasma iPF2alpha-III, correlated with membrane fluidity. Furthermore, the significant inverse correlation between membrane iPF 2alpha-III and the core region of membrane fluidity was observed for this group of patients too. Since membrane iPF2alpha-III was shown to provide a link between oxidative stress and erythrocyte function, it would be considered as a new marker of in vivo erythrocyte oxidative stress assessment. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Yu Xiongwen. / "July 2005." / Advisers: Wai Kei Christopher Lam; Chung Shun Ho. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 3724. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 198-223). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Introdução: O envelhecimento é um processo multifatorial complexo associado a inúmeros processos neurodegenerativos e alterações no comportamento de membranas biológicas. A estabilidade de membrana de eritrócitos é definida como a capacidade da membrana em manter sua estrutura diante de situações adversas. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as associações entre estabilidade de membrana de eritrócitos, função cognitiva e depressão em idosos institucionalizados. Métodos: Uma população de 69 idosos institucionalizados foi investigada quanto à estabilidade osmótica de membrana de eritrócitos, eritrograma, lipidograma, cognição e depressão. Resultados: Os valores encontrados das variáveis hematológicas e bioquímicas estão dentro de suas faixas de referência. A existência de escores de GDS-15 sugestivos de depressão foi superior no gênero feminino (83.7%) que no masculino (53.6%), o que representa uma tendência comum na epidemiologia da depressão entre idosos. Os escores de GDS foram associados a aumento na estabilidade de membrana de eritrócitos, na contagem de plaquetas e nos níveis de níveis de colesterol total e LDL-colesterol. A estabilidade de membrana de eritrócitos também apresentou uma relação direta com os níveis de LDL-colesterol e não se relacionou com a função cognitiva. Conclusão: A depressão na população idosa considerada neste estudo foi associada a aumento na estabilidade de membrana de eritrócitos e nas contagens de plaquetas, possivelmente em função de elevação nos níveis de colesterol sanguíneo. Além disso, o estado cognitivo não teve correlação significante com a estabilidade de membrana de eritrócitos. / Introduction: Aging is a complex multifactorial process associated with numerous degenerative changes in structure and behavior of biological membranes. The erythrocyte membrane stability is defined as the membrane's ability to maintain its structure in adverse situations. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between erythrocytes membrane stability, cognitive function and depression in institutionalized elderly. Methods: A population of 69 institutionalized elderly was investigated with regard to the osmotic stability of their erythrocyte membrane, erythrogram, lipid profile, cognition and depression. Results: Values of the hematological and biochemical variables are within their respective reference ranges. The existence of scores of GDS-15 suggestive of depression was much higher in females (83.7%) than in males (53.6%), which is a common trend in the epidemiology of depression among the elderly. The GDS scores were associated with increased erythrocyte membrane stability, platelet count and levels of total and LDL-cholesterol. The erythrocyte membrane stability also presented a positive relationship with the LDL-cholesterol levels and was not related to cognitive function. Conclusion: Depression in the elderly population of this study was associated with increases in the erythrocytes membrane stability and platelets counts, possibly because of the elevation in blood cholesterol levels. Moreover, the cognitive status was not significantly correlated with erythrocyte membrane stability. / Dissertação (Mestrado)