A diabetes é um distúrbio endócrino do metabolismo dos carboidratos clinicamente caracterizado por hiperglicemia, resultante da incapacidade do organismo em secretar insulina, defeitos na sua ação ou ambos. Recentemente, as conseqüências neurológicas da diabetes no sistema nervoso central têm recebido maior atenção, entretanto os mecanismos pelos quais a hiperglicemia é capaz de danificar o tecido nervoso ainda permanecem pouco esclarecidos. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que a hiperglicemia é capaz de induzir dano oxidativo em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou produzir um modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal em ratos e investigar o papel do estresse oxidativo (EO) na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. Para a indução do modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal foram utilizados ratos Wistar de 5 dias de vida que foram submetidos a administração intraperitoneal de 100 mg/Kg de peso corporal de estreptozotocina (STZ), sendo que 5 dias após a administração de STZ os animais foram sacrificados e a média glicêmica do grupo diabético (222 mg/dL) durante todo tratamento é 82% maior do que a média do grupo controle (121 mg/dL). Os efeitos da hiperglicemia neonatal induzida por STZ foram estudados sobre os seguintes parâmetros de EO em cérebro de ratos: as atividades das enzimas glicose-6-fosfatodesidrogenase (G6PD), 6-fosfogluconato-desidrogenase (6PGD) e NADPH oxidase (Nox); o conteúdo de ânion superóxido (O2 -); as atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GSHPx) e as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA-RS). Os ratos submetidos ao modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal apresentaram alto conteúdo de O2•- através da ativação da NADPH oxidase, possivelmente esta ativação dependa do NADPH derivado das enzimas G6PD e 6PGD. Além disso, o aumento dos níveis de O2 - pode ter promovido um efeito rebote de aumento das atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes (SOD, CAT e GSHPx) e ter induzido a lipoperoxidação em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, esses resultados sugerem que o EO pode representar um mecanismo envolvido nos efeitos da hiperglicemia no sistema nervoso central de ratos neonatos. No entanto, outros estudos parecem ser necessários a fim de melhor caracterizar o papel das espécies reativas na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. / Diabetes is an endocrine disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia and is the result of body’s inability to secret insulin or a defect of insulin action or both. The neurological consequences of diabetes on the central nervous system have most recently been received greater attention, but the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can cause brain damage remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage in rat brain. Therefore, this study aimed to produce a model neonatal hyperglycemia and investigate the role of oxidative stress (OS) in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hyperglycemia. The neonatal hyperglycemia was induced by one intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/ kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ), 5 days after the STZ administration, the animals were killed and the glucose diabetic group mean (222 mg/dL) during all treatment was 82% higher than the control group mean (121 mg/dL). So, the effects of streptozotocin-induced neonatal hyperglycemia were studied on the following oxidative stress parameters from rat brain: the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and NADPH oxidase (Nox), the content of superoxide anion (O2•-), the activities of the main antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Rats subjected to a model of neonatal hyperglycemia presented high content of O2•- through activation of NADPH oxidase and it is possible that this activation was dependent of G6PD- and 6PGD-derived NADPH. Also, increased levels on O2•- may have promoted a rebout effect, through to enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, CAT and GSHPx) and led to lipid peroxidation in the brain. So, these results suggest that OS could represent a mechanism to understand the harmful effect of hyperglycemia on the central nervous system. However, further studies appear to be worthwhile in order to better characterize the role of reactive species in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hiperglycemia.

A diabetes é um distúrbio endócrino do metabolismo dos carboidratos clinicamente caracterizado por hiperglicemia, resultante da incapacidade do organismo em secretar insulina, defeitos na sua ação ou ambos. Recentemente, as conseqüências neurológicas da diabetes no sistema nervoso central têm recebido maior atenção, entretanto os mecanismos pelos quais a hiperglicemia é capaz de danificar o tecido nervoso ainda permanecem pouco esclarecidos. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que a hiperglicemia é capaz de induzir dano oxidativo em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou produzir um modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal em ratos e investigar o papel do estresse oxidativo (EO) na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. Para a indução do modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal foram utilizados ratos Wistar de 5 dias de vida que foram submetidos a administração intraperitoneal de 100 mg/Kg de peso corporal de estreptozotocina (STZ), sendo que 5 dias após a administração de STZ os animais foram sacrificados e a média glicêmica do grupo diabético (222 mg/dL) durante todo tratamento é 82% maior do que a média do grupo controle (121 mg/dL). Os efeitos da hiperglicemia neonatal induzida por STZ foram estudados sobre os seguintes parâmetros de EO em cérebro de ratos: as atividades das enzimas glicose-6-fosfatodesidrogenase (G6PD), 6-fosfogluconato-desidrogenase (6PGD) e NADPH oxidase (Nox); o conteúdo de ânion superóxido (O2 -); as atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GSHPx) e as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA-RS). Os ratos submetidos ao modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal apresentaram alto conteúdo de O2•- através da ativação da NADPH oxidase, possivelmente esta ativação dependa do NADPH derivado das enzimas G6PD e 6PGD. Além disso, o aumento dos níveis de O2 - pode ter promovido um efeito rebote de aumento das atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes (SOD, CAT e GSHPx) e ter induzido a lipoperoxidação em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, esses resultados sugerem que o EO pode representar um mecanismo envolvido nos efeitos da hiperglicemia no sistema nervoso central de ratos neonatos. No entanto, outros estudos parecem ser necessários a fim de melhor caracterizar o papel das espécies reativas na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. / Diabetes is an endocrine disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia and is the result of body’s inability to secret insulin or a defect of insulin action or both. The neurological consequences of diabetes on the central nervous system have most recently been received greater attention, but the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can cause brain damage remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage in rat brain. Therefore, this study aimed to produce a model neonatal hyperglycemia and investigate the role of oxidative stress (OS) in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hyperglycemia. The neonatal hyperglycemia was induced by one intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/ kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ), 5 days after the STZ administration, the animals were killed and the glucose diabetic group mean (222 mg/dL) during all treatment was 82% higher than the control group mean (121 mg/dL). So, the effects of streptozotocin-induced neonatal hyperglycemia were studied on the following oxidative stress parameters from rat brain: the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and NADPH oxidase (Nox), the content of superoxide anion (O2•-), the activities of the main antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Rats subjected to a model of neonatal hyperglycemia presented high content of O2•- through activation of NADPH oxidase and it is possible that this activation was dependent of G6PD- and 6PGD-derived NADPH. Also, increased levels on O2•- may have promoted a rebout effect, through to enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, CAT and GSHPx) and led to lipid peroxidation in the brain. So, these results suggest that OS could represent a mechanism to understand the harmful effect of hyperglycemia on the central nervous system. However, further studies appear to be worthwhile in order to better characterize the role of reactive species in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hiperglycemia.

A diabetes é um distúrbio endócrino do metabolismo dos carboidratos clinicamente caracterizado por hiperglicemia, resultante da incapacidade do organismo em secretar insulina, defeitos na sua ação ou ambos. Recentemente, as conseqüências neurológicas da diabetes no sistema nervoso central têm recebido maior atenção, entretanto os mecanismos pelos quais a hiperglicemia é capaz de danificar o tecido nervoso ainda permanecem pouco esclarecidos. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que a hiperglicemia é capaz de induzir dano oxidativo em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou produzir um modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal em ratos e investigar o papel do estresse oxidativo (EO) na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. Para a indução do modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal foram utilizados ratos Wistar de 5 dias de vida que foram submetidos a administração intraperitoneal de 100 mg/Kg de peso corporal de estreptozotocina (STZ), sendo que 5 dias após a administração de STZ os animais foram sacrificados e a média glicêmica do grupo diabético (222 mg/dL) durante todo tratamento é 82% maior do que a média do grupo controle (121 mg/dL). Os efeitos da hiperglicemia neonatal induzida por STZ foram estudados sobre os seguintes parâmetros de EO em cérebro de ratos: as atividades das enzimas glicose-6-fosfatodesidrogenase (G6PD), 6-fosfogluconato-desidrogenase (6PGD) e NADPH oxidase (Nox); o conteúdo de ânion superóxido (O2 -); as atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GSHPx) e as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA-RS). Os ratos submetidos ao modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal apresentaram alto conteúdo de O2•- através da ativação da NADPH oxidase, possivelmente esta ativação dependa do NADPH derivado das enzimas G6PD e 6PGD. Além disso, o aumento dos níveis de O2 - pode ter promovido um efeito rebote de aumento das atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes (SOD, CAT e GSHPx) e ter induzido a lipoperoxidação em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, esses resultados sugerem que o EO pode representar um mecanismo envolvido nos efeitos da hiperglicemia no sistema nervoso central de ratos neonatos. No entanto, outros estudos parecem ser necessários a fim de melhor caracterizar o papel das espécies reativas na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. / Diabetes is an endocrine disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia and is the result of body’s inability to secret insulin or a defect of insulin action or both. The neurological consequences of diabetes on the central nervous system have most recently been received greater attention, but the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can cause brain damage remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage in rat brain. Therefore, this study aimed to produce a model neonatal hyperglycemia and investigate the role of oxidative stress (OS) in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hyperglycemia. The neonatal hyperglycemia was induced by one intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/ kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ), 5 days after the STZ administration, the animals were killed and the glucose diabetic group mean (222 mg/dL) during all treatment was 82% higher than the control group mean (121 mg/dL). So, the effects of streptozotocin-induced neonatal hyperglycemia were studied on the following oxidative stress parameters from rat brain: the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and NADPH oxidase (Nox), the content of superoxide anion (O2•-), the activities of the main antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Rats subjected to a model of neonatal hyperglycemia presented high content of O2•- through activation of NADPH oxidase and it is possible that this activation was dependent of G6PD- and 6PGD-derived NADPH. Also, increased levels on O2•- may have promoted a rebout effect, through to enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, CAT and GSHPx) and led to lipid peroxidation in the brain. So, these results suggest that OS could represent a mechanism to understand the harmful effect of hyperglycemia on the central nervous system. However, further studies appear to be worthwhile in order to better characterize the role of reactive species in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hiperglycemia.

Hydrogen production from abundant renewable biomass would decrease reliance on crude oils, achieve nearly zero net greenhouse gas emissions, create more jobs, and enhance national energy security. Cell-free synthetic pathway biotransformation (SyPaB) is the implementation of complicated chemical reaction by the in vitro assembly of numerous enzymes and coenzymes that microbes cannot do. One of the largest challenges is the high cost and instability of enzymes and cofactors. To overcome this obstacle, strong motivations have driven intensive efforts in discovering, engineering, and producing thermostable enzymes. In this project, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (RpiB), one of the most important enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway, was cloned from a thermophile Thermotoga maritima, and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. High-purity RpiB was obtained by heat pretreatment through its optimization in buffer choice, buffer pH, as well as temperature and duration of pretreatment. This enzyme had the maximum activity at 80°C and pH 6.5-8.0. It had a half lifetime of 71 h at 60°C, resulting in its turn-over number of more than 2 x108 mol of product per mol of enzyme. Another two thermostable enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and diaphorase (DI) and their fusion proteins G6PDH-DI and DI-G6PDH were cloned from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, heterologouely expressed in E. coli and purified through its His-tag. The individual proteins G6PDH and DI have good thermostability and reactivity. However, the presence of DI in fusion proteins drastically decreased G6DPH activity. However, a mixture of G6PDH and a fusion protein G6PDH-DI not only restored G6PDH activity through the formation of heteromultimeric network but also facilitated substrate channeling between DI and G6PDH, especially at low enzyme concentrations. My researches would provide important building blocks for the on-going projects: high-yield hydrogen production through cell-free enzymatic pathways and electrical energy production through enzymatic fuel cells. / Master of Science

As bioconversões executadas com enzimas, que requerem NADP ou NADPH, são limitadas pela eficiência com que esta substância é mantida na forma particular requerida pelo catalisador ao longo de toda a reação, assim como pela sua recuperação no final do processo. Neste trabalho, foram caracterizadas as enzimas Glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PDH) e Glutamato desidrogenase (GLUDH), além do estudo do reciclo NADP/NADPH em sistema constituído por essas enzimas. Determinou-se a temperatura (30ºC) e pH ótimo da G6PDH (pH 7,5), assim como a temperatura (40ºC) e o pH ótimo (pH 8,0) da GLUDH, além dos volumes e concentrações dos substratos utilizados na hidrólise enzimática. No caso da reação acoplada descontínua, a duração foi de 90min, às temperaturas de 30ºC e 40ºC, utilizando-se o cofator solúvel ou imobilizado. Em ambas as condições, mais de 85% das concentrações iniciais de G6P e NH4+, respectivamente, substratos da G6PDH e GLUDH, foram convertidas, sendo o reciclo NADP/NADPH mantido durante toda a reação. No caso da reação bienzimática em reator contínuo, não foi possível chegar ao estado estacionário da reação e a conversão dos subsratos G6P e NH4+ variaram de acordo com o período do teste. / The Bioconversion performed with enzymes that require NADPH or NADP are limited by the efficiency with which this substance is maintained in the particular form required by the enzyme throughout the reaction, as well as for his recovery at the end of the process. The main aim of this work was to study the NADP/NADPH recycling through a bienzyme coupled reaction constituted by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUDH). The reaction was carried out in the discontinuous or continuous mode. The discontinuous process, which was carried out with soluble or immobilized NADP at 30°C or 40°C, had a total duration of 90min. Independently on the temperature used, around 85% of the initial concentration of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) and ammonia were consumed, being the recycle of NADP/NADPH maintained throughout the reaction. In the continuous process, the addition of G6P and ammonia into the membrane reactor was made by turns of 2h. During the 15h-process the NADP/NADPH recycling was attained and the mean consumption yield of ammonia and G6P neared 30% and 60%, respectively.

As bioconversões executadas com enzimas, que requerem NADP ou NADPH, são limitadas pela eficiência com que esta substância é mantida na forma particular requerida pelo catalisador ao longo de toda a reação, assim como pela sua recuperação no final do processo. Neste trabalho, foram caracterizadas as enzimas Glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PDH) e Glutamato desidrogenase (GLUDH), além do estudo do reciclo NADP/NADPH em sistema constituído por essas enzimas. Determinou-se a temperatura (30ºC) e pH ótimo da G6PDH (pH 7,5), assim como a temperatura (40ºC) e o pH ótimo (pH 8,0) da GLUDH, além dos volumes e concentrações dos substratos utilizados na hidrólise enzimática. No caso da reação acoplada descontínua, a duração foi de 90min, às temperaturas de 30ºC e 40ºC, utilizando-se o cofator solúvel ou imobilizado. Em ambas as condições, mais de 85% das concentrações iniciais de G6P e NH4+, respectivamente, substratos da G6PDH e GLUDH, foram convertidas, sendo o reciclo NADP/NADPH mantido durante toda a reação. No caso da reação bienzimática em reator contínuo, não foi possível chegar ao estado estacionário da reação e a conversão dos subsratos G6P e NH4+ variaram de acordo com o período do teste. / The Bioconversion performed with enzymes that require NADPH or NADP are limited by the efficiency with which this substance is maintained in the particular form required by the enzyme throughout the reaction, as well as for his recovery at the end of the process. The main aim of this work was to study the NADP/NADPH recycling through a bienzyme coupled reaction constituted by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUDH). The reaction was carried out in the discontinuous or continuous mode. The discontinuous process, which was carried out with soluble or immobilized NADP at 30°C or 40°C, had a total duration of 90min. Independently on the temperature used, around 85% of the initial concentration of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) and ammonia were consumed, being the recycle of NADP/NADPH maintained throughout the reaction. In the continuous process, the addition of G6P and ammonia into the membrane reactor was made by turns of 2h. During the 15h-process the NADP/NADPH recycling was attained and the mean consumption yield of ammonia and G6P neared 30% and 60%, respectively.

For the development of a G6PD-deficient mouse model, we introduced the mutant Gpdxa-m1Neu allele (a severe ENU-induced mutation that results in 13-15% G6PD activities of wild type littermates) into the C57L/J background (a strain that constitutively exhibits low G6PD activity) through a breeding program. Of significance is that 78% of the F2 generation had G6PD activities <2 U/g Hb, levels similar to those of severe G6PD deficiency in human. The efficacy of this model was preliminary verified by the known haemolytic agent, naphthalene, as demonstrated by the decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio by 24.6% (P=0.032) and increase of methaemoglobin by 4.5 fold (P=0.8) when compared with the respective control without treatment. / Genetic analysis of 14 mutation hotpots was performed on 98 hemi-/homozygous and 17 heterozygous G6PD-deficient human subjects. We developed a novel Multiplex Primer Extension Reaction (MPER) assay and detected seven specific mutations in 97 subjects: c.1376G>T (33.7%), c.1388G>A (29.6%), c.871G>A + c.1311C>T (12.3%), c.95A>G (9.2%), c.392G>T (7.1%), c.1024C>T (6.2%) and c.1360C>T (1.0%). For the genotyping of 15 heterozygous female, all mutations were identified as follows: c.1376G>T/Normal (33.3%), c.1388G>A/Normal (26.7%), c.871G>A/Normal + c.1311C>T/Normal (20.0%), c.95A>G/Normal (13.3%) and c.392G>T./Normal (6.7%). The c.871G>A and 'silent' mutation c.1311 C>T was newly found to coexist in a high proportion of genotype in our population. / Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient subjects are vulnerable to chemical-induced haemolysis if exposed to oxidative agents. Little is known, however, of the haemolytic effects of Chinese herbal medicine on G6PD-deficient subjects. Only one case study has reported that a G6PD-deficient newborn developed severe haemolysis after ingestion of Rhizoma Coptidis. Besides, recent studies reported that green tea and its constituents exerted pro-oxidative effects on cellular systems in culture. / Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a genetic disorder inherited in the X-linked manner. The condition is prevalent in the Mediterranean region, Africa and Southeast Asia. In Hong Kong, the frequency of G6PD deficiency is around 4.5% in males and 0.3% in females. Over 140 specific mutations of the X-linked gene for G6PD have been characterized in various geographic regions. However, the local mutation pattern has not been clearly determined. / In conclusion, some Chinese herbal medicine, tea and tea polyphenols significantly altered the oxidative status of G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in vitro. Their in vivo effects on G6PD-deficient individuals would be further investigated by the novel G6PD-dificient mouse model. / In this study, we aim (1) to investigate effects of (a) a panel of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM), (b) tea and its constituents, on the oxidative status of human G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in vitro ; (2) to characterize the genotype of G6PD-deficiency in the Chinese population and their specific response to oxidative stress; (3) to develop a novel strain of mice as a model for study of chemicals agents on G6PD-deficient red cell in vivo. / Our results showed that six of eighteen CHM significantly reduced GSH levels in the G6PD-deficient erythrocytes (p<0.05, n=10). After exposure to 1 mg/mL of Rhizoma Coptidis, GSH levels in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes was decreased by 48.9 +/- 5.4% (P<0.001, n=10). At 5 mg/mL of Cortex Moutan, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Bupleuri, Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati and Flos Chimonanthi, GSH levels were decreased significantly (P=0.001 to 0.004) by 51.8 +/- 7.6%, 25.9 +/- 6.7%, 21.0 +/- 6.9%, 17.5 $ 6.7% and 8.7 +/- 6.8% respectively. There were noticeable increases in levels of methaemoglobin by 2.8 fold (5 mg/mL, P=0.012) and 3.4 fold (10 mg/mL, P=0.016) in the presence of Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Moutan, respectively, in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes. / We also investigated the pro-oxidative effect of tea and its polyphenolic components on G6PD erythrocytes from G6PD-deficient (n=8) and normal adult (n=8) subjects. The tea extracts significantly reduced GSH and increased GSSG levels in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner (0.5-10 mg/mL), but not in normal erythrocytes. Similar dose-dependent responses to (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-Epigallocatechin-3gallate (EGCG), but not to the other polyphenols, were observed. In G6PD-deficient cells, GSH was reduced by 43.3% (EGC at 0.05 mg/mL) and 33.3% (EGCG at 0.5 mg/mL), compared with pre-challenged levels. The concentration of methaemoglobin was increased significantly when these cells were challenged with tea extracts, and EGC. Plasma haemoglobin levels were higher in G6PD-deficient samples after exposure to tea extracts, EGCG, EGC and gallic acid, compared with those in normal blood. / Ko Chun Kay. / "August 2006." / Advisers: Tai Fai Fok; Kwai Har Karen Li. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1577. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. xxii-xliii). / 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. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 126 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-115).

Les thiorédoxines (TRX) sont des protéines ubiquistes à activité d’oxydoréductase de ponts disulfure de protéines dites « cibles ». Le génome d’Arabidopsis thaliana code une vingtaine de TRX canoniques dont 10 (divisées en 5 types : f, m, x, y et z) sont localisées dans les plastes. Les TRX f sont connues depuis plus de trente ans pour être des régulateurs centraux du métabolisme photosynthétique, mais les approches expérimentales récentes (protéomique, génétique inverse.) indiquent que ces protéines interviennent dans des métabolismes non photosynthétiques variés, notamment le cycle oxydatif des pentoses phosphate (COPP). Ce travail a consisté à analyser in vitro la capacité des TRX plastidiales à réguler les déshydrogénases du COPP qui assurent la majorité de la production de pouvoir réducteur (sous forme de NADPH) dans des conditions non-photosynthétiques. Les résultats obtenus ont été validés dans un système ferrédoxine/TRX reconstitué et ont permis de proposer un modèle de régulation stricte par certaines TRX de la glucose-6-phosphate déshydrogénase chloroplastique G6PDH1 où la TRX f assure la coordination des cycles réductif (cycle de Calvin) et oxydatif des pentoses phosphate. Des approches biochimiques et biophysiques ont permis de mettre en évidence plusieurs modifications de propriétés catalytiques et structurales faisant suite à la régulation redox de G6PDH1 et d’aborder les déterminants des spécificités de régulations. Ce travail in vitro a été complété par une caractérisation in vivo (basée sur l’utilisation de mutants perte de fonction) de l’importance des TRX y dans le contrôle de l’activité G6PDH racinaire, et les processus de germination. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que, dans les graines, ce type de TRX interviendrait dans les processus de levée de dormance et de vieillissement via son interconnexion avec les mécanismes de détoxication des formes actives de l’oxygène. / Thioredoxins are ubiquitous thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases on target proteins. In Arabidopsis, many TRX isoforms are found, especially in plastids where 10 isoforms are found and subdivided into five types (f, m, x, y and z type).The f-type TRX is known for decades as a regulator of photosynthetic metabolism, but proteomics and genetics indicate that these proteins might regulate many non photosynthetic metabolic pathways, such as the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP).In this work, I have examined in vitro the redox regulation of OPPP dehydrogenases by plastidial TRX, the OPPP being a major source of reducing power (as NADPH) in non-photosynthesizing conditions. Biochemical studies were reproduced in a reconstituted ferredoxin / TRX system, allowing to propose a new function for f-type TRX isoforms co-ordinating both reductive (Calvin cycle) and oxidative pentose phosphate pathways. Biochemical and biophysical approaches revealed several modifications of catalytic and structural properties accompanying the redox regulation of G6PDH1, the first dehydrogenase of the OPPP.In vivo studies, using reverse genetics were developed, to analyse the possible role of y-type TRX in the control of root G6PDH activity and germination physiology. Seeds of y-type TRX mutants display an altered behaviour in dormancy and aging. The possible role of y-type TRX in the control of seed germination through their antioxidant function is discussed.

Objetivos: A deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PD) está associada a um maior risco de encefalopatia bilirrubínica e de crise hemolítica aguda grave desencadeada por drogas como a primaquina e a dapsona. Conhecer a prevalência dessa deficiência enzimática em área onde a malária e a hanseníase ainda estão presentes e conhecer a prevalência das principais mutações traz subsídios para planejamento de estratégias com vistas à redução de riscos associados a esta deficiência enzimática. Métodos: Estudo descritivo transversal conduzido em uma região do centro-oeste do Brasil. Exame de triagem para deficiência de G6PD foi realizado em 3573 recémnascidos. Exame confirmatório foi necessário em 188 crianças triadas como possíveis portadores de deficiência. Nas crianças em que foi confirmada a deficiência de G6PD foi feita pesquisa das mutações G202A (G6PD A-) e C563T (G6PD Mediterrâneo) por PCR. Resultados: A deficiência de G6PD foi confirmada em 63 crianças, sendo 60 meninos (95,2%) e três meninas (4,8%). O percentual de exames falso-positivos na fase de triagem foi de 66,5%, estando o percentual de falso-positivos associado à temperatura e tempo de transporte das amostras. Entre as crianças que confirmaram deficiência de G6PD, foi mais frequente a história de anemia em familiares e de icterícia neonatal. Houve associação entre hematócrito baixo e deficiência enzimática, mas não com hemoglobina, contagem de reticulócitos ou neutrófilos. A prevalência da deficiência de G6PD (IC95%) foi de 1,76% (1,37; 2,24) entre os recém-nascidos triados e de 3,34% entre os meninos (2,58; 4,25). A mutação C563T não foi identificada em nenhuma criança, mas a mutação G202A estava presente em 58 crianças - 92,06% (IC95%: 83,29 - 97,03): 56/60 meninos e em 2/3 meninas homozigotas. Foi identificado um menino com Kernicterus portador da mutação G202A em hemizigose. Conclusão: O elevado percentual de falso-positivos na etapa de triagem, o tempo necessário entre coleta e confirmação da presença de deficiência enzimática, associado ao alto custo da triagem universal, não apoiam a inclusão da triagem de deficiência de G6PD no programa de triagem neonatal brasileiro. Na região avaliada, a prevalência observada em meninos indica que a triagem de deficiência de G6PD deva ser realizada antes do uso de drogas como a primaquina e a dapsona somente em meninos. Foi elevada a prevalência da mutação G202A, de classe III, sendo esta mutação associada a uma menor morbidade. A identificação de um menino com Kernicterus com deficiência de G6PD indica que há necessidade de se planejar estratégias para minimizar o risco dessa morbidade associada à deficiência enzimática / Objective: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is associated with an increased risk of bilirubin encephalopathy in neonates and acute hemolytic crisis triggered by drugs such as primaquine and dapsone. In an area where malaria and Hansen\'s disease are still present, knowing the prevalence of this enzyme defect and determining the prevalence of major mutations is important for planning strategies for reducing the risks associated with this enzyme deficiency. Methods: Sectional study was conducted in a Midwestern region of Brazil. Screening for G6PD deficiency was performed in 3,573 neonates. Confirmatory tests were necessary for 188 positively screened children. After confirmation, PCR investigation was utilized to identify the mutations. Results: G6PD deficiency was confirmed in 63 children: 60 boys (95.2%) and 3 girls (4.8%). The percentage of false-positive cases in the screening phase, 66.5% and was associated with the temperature and transportation time of the samples. Family history of anemia and jaundice was more frequent among the children with confirmed G6PD deficiency. An association between a low hematocrit and enzyme deficiency was observed. However, there was no association with hemoglobin reticulocyte or neutrophils counts. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency (CI95%) was 1.76% (1.37; 2.24) among all screened neonates and 3.34% (2.58; 4.25) among male children. The C563T mutation was not identified in any child. The G202A mutation was present in 58 children - 92.06% (CI95%: 83.29 - 97.03), 56/60 boys and 2/3 homozygous girls. One boy with a hemizygous G202A mutation was identified as having Kernicterus. Conclusion: The high percentage of false-positive results when first screening for G6PD deficiency; the long delay time between the test and result; along with the high cost of the this screening test, are all factors that do not support adding this test to the already established Brazilian neonatal screening programs. The prevalence observed among boys does indicate that screening for G6PD deficiency should be performed in this region before the use of drugs such as primaquine and dapsone only in boys. This study found a high prevalence of the G202A mutation, a Class III variant associated with lower morbidity. The identification of a G6PD deficient boy with Kernicterus reinforces the necessity for strategies to abolish the morbidity associated with this enzyme deficiency