La formation et le dépôt de fibres d'α-Synucléine dans le cerveau humain sont à l‟origine de la maladie de Parkinson. Cette thèse documente le rôle de deux chaperons moléculaires dans l‟assemblage en fibres de l'α-Syn : Hsc70 (protéine de choc thermique constitutivement exprimée chez l‟Homme) et Ssa1p (son équivalent chez la levure). Le but était d'élargir le catalogue d'effets connus des chaperons moléculaires sur α-Syn, pour éventuellement ouvrir la voie à des applications thérapeutiques. Nous avons montré que Hsc70 inhibe l'assemblage de l'α-Syn en fibres, en se liant avec une forte affinité à la forme soluble de l'α-Syn. Hsc70 se lie préférentiellement aux fibres de l'α-Syn, et cette liaison a un effet cytoprotecteur puisqu'elle rend les fibres moins toxiques pour les cellules de mammifères en culture. Pareillement à Hsc70, Ssa1p inhibe l'assemblage de l'α-Syn en fibres, et a une plus forte affinité pour les fibres que pour la forme soluble de l'α-Syn. En revanche, la liaison de Ssa1p aux fibres de l'α-Syn n'a pas d'effet cytoprotecteur, sûrement due aux différences entre les séquences du site de liaison aux peptides des deux chaperons moléculaires, qui fait que Ssa1p a une affinité plus faible que Hsc70 pour les fibres d'α-Syn. Nous avons fixé le complexe entre Ssa1p et α-Syn avec des agents pontants, pour ensuite établir une carte du site d'interaction entre les deux protéines en utilisant la spectrométrie de masse. Ceci est indispensable si un « mini » Ssa1p, constitué des éléments nécessaires et suffisants sera utilisé comme agent thérapeutique pour réduire la toxicité des fibres d'α-Syn. / The formation and deposition of α-Synuclein fibrils in the human brain is at the origin of Parkinson’s disease. The objective of my thesis was to document the role of two molecular chaperones on the assembly of α-Syn into fibrils: Hsc70, a constitutively expressed human heat shock protein, and Ssa1p, its yeast equivalent. The aim was to expand the catalogue of known effects of molecular chaperones on the PD implicated protein, which could have therapeutic significance. We showed that Hsc70 inhibits the assembly of α-Syn into fibrils, by binding with high affinity to the soluble form of α-Syn. We documented that Hsc70 binds preferentially to α-Syn fibrils and that this binding has a cytoprotective effect, as it renders the fibrils less toxic to cultured mammalian cells. Similarly to Hsc70, Ssa1p inhibits the assembly of α-Syn into fibrils, and has a higher affinity for fibrils than for the soluble form of α-Syn. On the other hand, binding of Ssa1p to α-Syn fibrils does not have a cytoprotective effect, almost certainly due to differences in the amino acid sequences of the peptide binding sites of the two molecular chaperones, which mean that Ssa1p has a lower affinity than Hsc70 for α-Syn fibrils. We stabilized the complex between Ssa1p and α-Syn using chemical cross-linkers, to then map the interaction site between the two proteins. This is indispensable if a “mini” Ssa1p, comprised of only what is necessary and sufficient of Ssa1p, is to be used as a therapeutic agent to decrease the toxicity of α-Syn fibrils. A therapeutic agent based on exogenous protein Ssa1p is less likely to trigger an autoimmune response than for example the endogenous protein Hsc70.

A leishmaniose tegumentar é uma zoonose que ocorre endemicamente em 88 países, caracterizando-se como um grave problema de saúde pública nos países tropicais e subtropicais. Estima-se que o número de pessoas infectadas por Leishmania seja de cerca de 12 milhões e que ocorram entre 700 mil a 1,2 milhões de novos casos anualmente. O Brasil apresenta a maior prevalência de leishmaniose tegumentar na América, sendo que já foram identificadas seis espécies como causadoras de leishmanise tegumentar: Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni, Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi, Leishmania (Viannia) shawi. Apesar de termos diferentes espécies causadoras de leishmaniose tegumentar no Brasil e com diferentes formas clínicas, a discriminação das espécies de Leishmania responsáveis por determinada lesão ainda é um desafio. Utilizando as técnicas qPCR, HRM e PCR multiplex, com pares de oligonucleotídeos contruídos e direcionados para o gene alvo hsp70, propomos uma alternativa para os ensaios utilizados atualmente para a identificação de Leishmania e diferenciação dos subgêneros Leishmania e Viannia em cultura de promastigota. A identificação do subgênero Leishmania obtida nos nossos resultados em amostras de cepas referência e em amostras de isolados de pacientes com suspeita de leishmaniose tegumentar atendidos no Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, correspondem ao obtido por PCR-RFLP direcionada para o alvo kDNA com a enzima de restrição HaeIII realizada num estudo anterior. No entanto, este estudo permitiu a identificação do subgênero em apenas um passo, o que contribui para a redução do tempo, custo e manuseio de amostras. Diante desses resultados, sugere-se a validação da técnica em DNA de amostras de amastigotas de lesões tegumentares de pacientes diagnosticados com esta doença / The cutaneous leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease that is endemic in 88 countries, characterized as a serious public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. It is estimated that the number of people infected by Leishmania to be about 12 million, occurring between 700 thousand to 1.2 million new cases annually. Brazil has the highest prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in America and six species have been identified as causes of cutaneous leishmaniasis: Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, Leishmania (V.) guyanensis, Leishmania (V.) lainsoni, Leishmania (V.) naiffi, Leishmania (V.) shawi. Although we have different species that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil and with different clinical forms, discrimination against Leishmania species responsible for certain injury is still a challenge. Using the techniques qPCR, HRM and multiplex PCR with oligonucleotide engineer to the target gene hsp70, propose an alternative to the currently used assays for Leishmania identification and Leishmania and Viannia subgenus differentiation in parasite promastigote culture. The identification of Leishmania subgenus obtained in our results with parasite promastigote culture of reference strains samples and isolates in patients with suspected tegumentary leishmaniasis attended at the Institute of Infectious Diseases Emilio Ribas, corresponded to that obtained by PCR-RFLP directed to the target kDNA with HaeIII restriction enzyme carried out in a previous study. However, this review allowed the identification of the subgenus in just one step, contributing to the reduction of time, cost and handling of samples. Given these results, we suggest the validation of this technique in DNA of amastigote samples from tegumentary lesions of patients diagnosed with this disease

O carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) é a quarta causa mais frequente de morte por câncer em todo o mundo. Este estudo teve dois grandes objetivos, o primeiro foi estabelecer o carcinoma hpatocelular experimental por indução química e o segundo estudar os efeitos da melatonina sobre o estresse oxidativo, estresse de retículo endoplasmático e apoptose durante a hepatocarcinogênese. Foram realizados dois experimentos, ambos utilizaram dietilnitrosamina (DEN) mais acetilaminofluoreno (2-AAF) em ratos Wistar machos pesando 145-150 g. O primeiro estudo testou 3 protocolos de indução do câncer hepático. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos testes: DEN50: que recebeu DEN 50 mg duas vezes por semana até a 6ª semana e uma vez por semana nas semanas 11 a 13. DEN75: recebeu DEN 75mg uma vez por semana nas semanas até a 6ª semana e um reforço nas semanas de 11 a 13. DEN100: recebeu 5 doses de DEN 100mg uma a cada seis semanas por 28 semanas. Todos receberam 2- AAF dose única de 100 mg na 4ª semana. Após a indução foi comprovado por testes bioquímicos, macroscópico e histológico que o protocolo DEN50 desenvolve CHC avançado em 19 semanas, apresentou a fase inflamatória na 5ª semana e cirrose na 12ª semana. O protocolo DEN100 exibe padrão de lesões pré-cancerosas com cirrose em 28 semanas. O protocolo DEN75 foi o mais heterogêneo dos três, pois desenvolveu lesões pré-cancerosas, cancer inicial e CHC avançado. O segundo estudo, repetiu o protocolo DEN50 e administrou melatonina 20mg/L. Os tratamentos começaram nas semanas 5 e 12. Ao final de 19 semanas foi observado que animais do grupo que só recebeu DEN+2-AAF (DEN-CHC) desenvolveram carcinoma avançado, exibiram mais expressão de proteinas pró-inflamatórias (iNOS, COX-2 e NFkB). E animais tratados com Melatonina (DEN+MEL5 e DEN+MEL 12) apresentaram padrão histológico de cirrose e reduzida expressão destas proteinas. Quanto ao comportamento oxidativo foi observado que grupo DEN-CHC apresentou menor lipoperoxidação (LPO) por redução de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados, maior oxidação proteica, menor atividade da SOD e maior índice de danos ao DNA. O tratamento com melatonina ao longo da hepatocarcinogênese se mostrou efetivo para proteger a membrana lipidica, reduziu a oxidação proteica, aumentou a atividade da SOD e atenuou o dano ao DNA. Por fim, referente ao estresse de retículo endoplasmático e apoptose, animais com DEN-CHC não apresentaram ativação das proteinas de estresse de retículo (BiP, ATF6 e CHOP) nem acionaram as rotas apoptóticas. Entretanto, animais tratados com Melatonina tiveram aumento significativo na expressão de proteinas como BiP, ATF6 e CHOP, assim como proteinas pró-apoptóticas. Nossos resultados apontam que a melatonin, durante o processo de hepatocarcinogênese experimental, atuou como anti-inflamatório, antioxidante e pró-apoptótico. E estas ações contribuiram para evitar a progressão do carcinoma hepatocelular. / Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide. This study had two main objectives, the first was to establish the experimental hpatocelular carcinoma by chemical induction and the second study the effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis during hepatocarcinogenesis. Two experiments were conducted, both used Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) + acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in male Wistar rats weighing 145-150 g. The first study tested three induction protocols of liver cancer. The animals were divided into three test groups: DEN50: DEN that received 50 mg twice a week until 6 weeks and once a week during the weeks 11 and 13. DEN75: DEN received 75mg once a week during the weeks to 6 weeks and another reinforcement in weeks 11 to 13 DEN100: DEN received 5 doses of 100mg one every six weeks for 28 weeks. All received 2 AAF single dose of 100 mg at week 4. After induction was confirmed by biochemical, macroscopic and histological tests that DEN50 protocol develops advanced HCC in 19 weeks, presents inflammatory phase in the 5th week and cirrhosis at 12 weeks. The default display protocol DEN100 of precancerous lesions and cirrhosis in 28 weeks. DEN75 The protocol was the most heterogeneous of the three, as developed precancerous lesions, early cancer and advanced HCC. The second study, repeated the DEN50 protocol and administered melatonin 20mg / L. The treatments began on week 5 and 12. At the end of 19 weeks was observed that animals in the group that received only DEN (DEN-CHC) developed advanced carcinoma exhibited over expression of proinflammatory proteins (iNOS, COX-2 and NFkB). And animals treated with melatonin (DEN+ MEL5W and DEN+MEL 12W) showed histological pattern of cirrhosis and reduced expression of these proteins. As for the oxidative behavior was observed that DEN-HCC group had lower lipid peroxidation (LPO) by reducing polyunsaturated fatty acids, higher protein oxidation, lower activity of SOD and higher rate of DNA damage. Treatment with melatonin throughout hepatocarcinogenesis was effective to protect the lipid membrane, protein oxidation decreased, increased SOD activity and attenuated DNA damage. Finally, referring to the endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, animal DEN-CHC did not show activation of reticulum stress protein (BiP, ATF6 and CHOP) or triggered apoptotic routes. However, melatonin treated animals had a significant increase in the expression of proteins and BiP, CHOP and ATF6, as well as pro-apoptotic proteins. Our results indicate that melatonin, during the process of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis, acted as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pro-apoptotic. And these actions contributed to prevent progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A leishmaniose tegumentar é uma zoonose que ocorre endemicamente em 88 países, caracterizando-se como um grave problema de saúde pública nos países tropicais e subtropicais. Estima-se que o número de pessoas infectadas por Leishmania seja de cerca de 12 milhões e que ocorram entre 700 mil a 1,2 milhões de novos casos anualmente. O Brasil apresenta a maior prevalência de leishmaniose tegumentar na América, sendo que já foram identificadas seis espécies como causadoras de leishmanise tegumentar: Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni, Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi, Leishmania (Viannia) shawi. Apesar de termos diferentes espécies causadoras de leishmaniose tegumentar no Brasil e com diferentes formas clínicas, a discriminação das espécies de Leishmania responsáveis por determinada lesão ainda é um desafio. Utilizando as técnicas qPCR, HRM e PCR multiplex, com pares de oligonucleotídeos contruídos e direcionados para o gene alvo hsp70, propomos uma alternativa para os ensaios utilizados atualmente para a identificação de Leishmania e diferenciação dos subgêneros Leishmania e Viannia em cultura de promastigota. A identificação do subgênero Leishmania obtida nos nossos resultados em amostras de cepas referência e em amostras de isolados de pacientes com suspeita de leishmaniose tegumentar atendidos no Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, correspondem ao obtido por PCR-RFLP direcionada para o alvo kDNA com a enzima de restrição HaeIII realizada num estudo anterior. No entanto, este estudo permitiu a identificação do subgênero em apenas um passo, o que contribui para a redução do tempo, custo e manuseio de amostras. Diante desses resultados, sugere-se a validação da técnica em DNA de amostras de amastigotas de lesões tegumentares de pacientes diagnosticados com esta doença / The cutaneous leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease that is endemic in 88 countries, characterized as a serious public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. It is estimated that the number of people infected by Leishmania to be about 12 million, occurring between 700 thousand to 1.2 million new cases annually. Brazil has the highest prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in America and six species have been identified as causes of cutaneous leishmaniasis: Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, Leishmania (V.) guyanensis, Leishmania (V.) lainsoni, Leishmania (V.) naiffi, Leishmania (V.) shawi. Although we have different species that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil and with different clinical forms, discrimination against Leishmania species responsible for certain injury is still a challenge. Using the techniques qPCR, HRM and multiplex PCR with oligonucleotide engineer to the target gene hsp70, propose an alternative to the currently used assays for Leishmania identification and Leishmania and Viannia subgenus differentiation in parasite promastigote culture. The identification of Leishmania subgenus obtained in our results with parasite promastigote culture of reference strains samples and isolates in patients with suspected tegumentary leishmaniasis attended at the Institute of Infectious Diseases Emilio Ribas, corresponded to that obtained by PCR-RFLP directed to the target kDNA with HaeIII restriction enzyme carried out in a previous study. However, this review allowed the identification of the subgenus in just one step, contributing to the reduction of time, cost and handling of samples. Given these results, we suggest the validation of this technique in DNA of amastigote samples from tegumentary lesions of patients diagnosed with this disease

Sepsis is the most frequent cause of mortality in most intensive care units. Cardiovascular dysfunction is a major complication associated with sepsis, with high mortality rates up to 70%. Currently, there is no effective treatment approach for sepsis. The integrity of the endothelium is fundamental for the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Sepsis induces endothelial cell injury which is the key factor for multiple organ failure. The increased expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines in endothelial cell promotes leukocytes infiltration into the tissue. The loss of tight junction proteins and increased permeability of the endothelial cells will provoke tissue hypoxia and subsequent organ failure. Therefore, preservation of endothelial function is a critical approach for improving sepsis-induced outcome. Here, we showed that endothelial specific protein HSPA12B plays a critical role in the preservation of cardiovascular function in polymicrobial sepsis. HSPA12B is the newest member of HSP70 family which predominantly expresses in endothelial cells. We observed that HSPA12B deficiency (HSPA12B-/-) exaggerated polymicrobial sepsis-induced endothelial dysfunction, leading to worse cardiac dysfunction. HSPA12B-/- significantly increases the expression of adhesion molecules, decreases tight junction protein levels and enhances vascular permeability. HSPA12B-/- alsomarkedly promotes the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the myocardium and inflammatory cytokine production. We investigated the cardioprotective mechanisms of HSPA12B in sepsis induced cardiovascular dysfunction. Exosomes play a critical role in intercellular communication. Exosome is a natural vehicle of microRNAs. We found that exosomes isolated from HSPA12B-/- septic mice induced more expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and inflammation in macrophages. Interestingly, the levels of miR-126 in serum exosomes isolated from HSPA12B-/- septic mice were significantly lowers than in WT septic mice. Importantly, delivery of miR-126 carried exosomes significantly improved cardiac function, suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules, reduced immune cell infiltration in the myocardium, and improved vascular permeability in HSPA12B-/- septic mice. The data suggests that HSPA12B is essential for endothelial function in sepsis and that miR-126 containing exosomes plays a critical role in cardiovascular-protective mechanisms of endothelial HSPA12B in polymicrobial sepsis.

Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Plasmodia. Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the fatal form of human malaria. Spread of drug resistant parasites warrants for sound biological understanding of the parasite at both cellular and biochemical level. Heat shock proteins are highly conserved group of proteins required for correct folding, transport, and degradation of substrate proteins in vivo. Hsp60 is found in eubacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts, where in cooperation with Hsp10, it participates in protein folding. Keeping in mind the central importance of chaperones in biological processes, our lab has been interested in examining roles of heat shock proteins in malarial parasite during its asexual growth in human erythrocytes. During its life cycle, the parasite continually shuttles between a cold-blooded insect vector with the body temperature of 27°C and a warm-blooded human host with the body temperature of 37°C and parasite experiences episodes of heat shock periodically. Therefore malaria parasite serves as good model to study heat shock protein functions. Like all biological systems, the malaria parasite expresses several chaperones including proteins of the Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90 and Hsp100 families. Towards this we have systematically characterized different families of stress proteins Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90 as well as Hsp100. In addition to cloning their genes we have studied their expression, localization, abundance, complexes and their biological roles. Earlier studies from our lab showed PfHsp90 is essential for parasite growth and survival in human erythrocytes. Our present study attempts to study heat shock protein 60 of the malarial parasite (PfHsp60). In this connection we have been successful to clone and express PfHsp60 gene from Plasmodium falciparum in E. coli and to raise antibodies specific to PfHsp60. We have examined its expression and import in the mitochondrion of malarial parasite during its asexual growth in human erythrocytes. Analysis of the total parasite lysates resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by western blotting using specific antibodies showed PfHsp60 exhibits an isoelectric point corresponding to its signal uncleaved precursor (pI - 6.2). Mass spectrometric analysis of the spot corresponding to precursor PfHsp60 confirmed the presence of signal peptide region. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis of total parasite lysates with antibodies specific to PfHsp60 showed precursor PfHsp60 to be associated with PfHsp70 and PfHsp90. Co-immunoprecipitation from the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic fraction confirmed the position of mature PfHsp60. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis also showed presence of a pool of PfHsp60 in the cytoplasm of the parasite, in addition to its expected localization in the mitochondrion. Treatment of parasite infected erythrocytes with an inhibitor of Hsp90 disrupted its association with cytoplasmic chaperones and targeted precursor Pfhsp60 for intracellular degradation. On the other hand treatment with the mitochondrial import inhibitor further inhibited the import of precursor PfHsp60 into the mitochondrion and stabilized its interaction with cytosolic chaperones. Previous reports have shown that there are four fold accumulations of PfHsp60 transcripts in heat shocked parasites. However, the expression of PfHsp60 was not induced upon heat shock in the blood stages of P.falciparum. Biochemical data indicate that the mitochondrion is not the source of ATP in the parasite. Furthermore the genome does not seem to encode the critical subunits of Fo-F1 ATP synthase. Yet, the active mitochondrial electron transport chain serves for regeneration of ubiquinone required for pyrimidine biosynthesis. The active electron transport chain is critical for parasite survival. Recent study with the lab-grown 3D7 strain of malaria parasite concluded that mitochondria are not required for energy conversion. Transcriptome analysis of the parasite derived directly from blood samples of infected patients showed that genes encoding the proteins of mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, respiration and highlighted the mean expression level for PfHsp60 is dramatically up regulated in parasites. Gene up regulation doesn’t always translate to increase in protein function or metabolic up regulation. When we analyzed the total parasite lysates of field isolates resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis also showed presence of the precursor form of Pfhsp60 in the cytoplasm of the parasite. Overall, our observations indicated accumulation of precursor PfHsp60 in the parasite cytoplasm suggesting an inefficient mitochondrial protein import in the malarial parasite. The defect in mitochondrial protein import is possibly reflective of the compromised energy state of the parasite mitochondrion. This fits with the model that has been reported in mutant strains of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking functional F o-F1-ATPase. These strains were found to grow very poorly under anaerobic conditions and are known to accumulate Hsp60 protein in the cytoplasm mainly its precursor form. Under optimal growth conditions most eukaryotes maintain close co-ordination between gene expression, translation and translocation efficiently. As a result, mitochondrial precursor proteins are usually not found to accumulate in the cytoplasm. To our knowledge this the first report suggesting an inefficient co-ordination in the synthesis and translocation of precursor PfHsp60 and possibly other proteins during asexual growth of malarial parasite in human erythrocytes under optimal growth conditions. Finally, expression of the PfHsp60 gene in E.coli resulted in its association with bacterial GroEL subunits co-fractionating with a size of 920 kDa, corresponding to the tetra decameric form. The observation indicated possible existence of a hybrid chaperonin complex consisting of subunits from ectopically expressed PfHsp60 and endogenous GroEL.

The major evolutionary transition from single-celled to multicellular life is believed to have occurred independently of the main metazoan lineages in the cellular slime moulds, of which Dictyostelium discoideum is the best-studied species. Unusually, in this case multicellular development is a facultative trait and part of an asexual life cycle. It is triggered by starvation and involves aggregation of hitherto independent and possibly unrelated free-living cells. The consequences of multicellularity in D.discoideum are strongly influenced by the environment and meaningful external perturbations are easily carried out. This makes the organism ideally suited to a study of epigenetic factors that regulate development. In an attempt to understand how conserved epigenetic pathways are integrated within the developmental framework, two likely players were chosen for investigation - heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Hsp90 has been implicated in diverse biological processes such as protein folding, cell cycle control, signal transduction, and morphological evolution. The role of Hsp90 in D.discoideum life cycle was studied using a specific inhibitor, geldanamycin. Inhibition of Hsp90 function in D.discoideum caused a delay in aggregation and an arrest of development at the ‘mound’ stage. A reduction in Hsp90activity in starving cells of D.discoideum resulted in the generation of a range of phenotypes. The study suggests that Hsp90 is required for a specific developmental transition of the social amoeba and is important in generating a reliable outcome of the developmental process. Histone acetylation regulates gene expression and leads to the establishment and maintenance of cellular phenotypes during development of plants and animals. To study the roles of HDACs in D.discoideum, biochemical, pharmacological and genetic approaches were employed. The inhibition of HDAC activity by trichostatin A resulted in histone hyperacetylation and a delay in cell aggregation and differentiation. Cyclic AMP oscillations were normal in starved amoebae treated with trichostatin A but the expression of a subset of cAMP-regulated genes was delayed. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that there are four genes encoding putative HDACs in D.discoideum. One of these four genes, hdaB, was found to be dispensable for growth and development under laboratory conditions; but formed spores with lower efficiency than the wild type in chimeras. The work shows that HDAC activity is important for regulating two aspects of multicellular development: (a) heterochrony, namely the relative timing of developmental events, and (b) modulating the behaviour of single cells in a manner that is sensitive to their social environment.

O ψευδάργυρος -Zn ελέγχει τον μεταβολισμό των λιπιδίων και γλυκόζης μέσω Ζn-μεταγραφικών παραγόντων. Δίαιτες υψηλών λιπαρών οδηγούν στην ενδοκυτταρική συσσώρευση ελευθέρων ριζών, μειώνουν την μεταγραφική έκφραση των εκκαθαριστών τους και την ενεργότητα αντιοξειδωτικών ενζύμων και οδηγούν σε μεταβολικό σύνδρομο. Οι πρωτεϊνες του θερμικού shock (Heat shock proteins-HSP) παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην αντίσταση στο κυτταρικό stress ως προσαρμογή ,μετά από έκθεση, σε διάφορα ερεθίσματα. ΣΚΟΠΟΣ : Μελέτη της επίδρασης του διατροφικού Ζn και των Hsp70,στην μεταβονομική των λιπιδίων αίματος και ήπατος ποντικών ΥΛΙΚΟ-ΜΕΘΟΔΟΙ :Ενήλικα αρσενικά ποντίκια: 1. Wild type (Wt) Hybrid (F1/F1) C57Bl/6 x CBA και 2. Transgenic (Tg) human HSP70 overexpressing mice, από ηλικίας ενός μηνός εντάχθηκαν στις παρακάτω διατροφές ,επί 10 εβδομάδες. Διατροφή Αριθμός Wt Αριθμός Tg Chow Diet (30 Zn) 6 10 High Fat Diet (3 Zn) 13 12 High Fat Diet (30 Zn) 9 8 High Fat Diet (300 Zn) 12 12 Σύνθεση των τριών διαιτών υψηλών λιπαρών -HFD: 3mg, 30mg, 300mg Zn /kg τροφής (mucedoola s.r.l Ιtaly-55% Cal από λιπαρά στοιχεία), Chow : δίαιτα ελέγχου Βιοχημικές αναλύσεις: Cholesterol ,Triglycerides ,HDL-cholesterol, Glucose ,Insulin Μετρήσεις μετάλλων και αντιοξειδωτικών παραγόντων: SOD (ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια ) TAC (ορός αίματος) Zn , Cu (ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια και ιστός ήπατος) Μεταβονομική ανάλυση και αξιολόγηση λιπιδίων :Εκχύλιση ορού αίματος και ηπατικού ιστού για λήψη Φάσματος 1H-NMR ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑΤΑ 1. Η HF δίαιτα αύξησε σημαντικά ,το τελικό βάρος και τον ρυθμό αύξησης βάρους ,τη χοληστερόλη -CL και την λιποπρωτεϊνη υψηλής πυκνότητας-ΗDL ,την ινσουλίνη –Ins, στα WT & Tg και μείωσε την ολική αντιοξειδωτική ικανότητα-TAC στο πλάσμα και την δραστηριότητα της σουπεροξείδιο-δισμουτάσης-SOD στα ερυθροκύταρα των WΤ και Tg 2. Ο επαρκής διατροφικός Zn (30mg/kgτροφής) φαίνεται να αποτελεί κρίσιμο παράγοντα διαμόρφωσης προστατευτικού ηπατολιπιδαιμικού προφίλ, ποντικών σε υπερλιπιδική δίαιτα. Η αύξηση ή μείωση του Zn σε HFDς φαίνεται να μειώνει την TAC του πλάσματος σε WΤ και Tg ενώ η δραστικότητα της SOD φαίνεται ανάλογη των επιπέδων του Zn Η ανεπάρκεια ή περίσσεια Zn αυξάνει τα αθηρογόνα SFA και μειώνει τα αντι-αθηρογόνα λιπίδια, PC, DU, LA DIAL ,UFA στις HDL, nonHDL και το ήπαρ, στα WΤHFD και στα ΤgHFD 3. Οι HSP70 : Τα διαγονιδιακά ζώα που φέρουν το γονίδιο hHsp70, φαίνεται ότι είτε σε έλλειψη είτε σε περίσσεια Ζn, που συνήθως συνοδεύoνται από μεταβολικό σύνδρομο, κατορθώνουν να διατηρούν καλλίτερους δείκτες λιπιδικού προφίλ σε σχέση με τα WT ζώα. Τα Τg εμφάνισαν σημαντικά χαμηλότερη CL ,TG , HDL σε σύγκριση με τα WT ενώ η HSP70 αύξησε σημαντικά την ενεργότητα της ολικής SOD στα ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια. Η HSP70 μείωσε τα αθηρογόνα SFA και αύξησε τα αντιαθηρογόνα λιπίδια DIAL, DU, LA, UFA, SM στις HDL, nonHDL , και στο ήπαρ ποντικών που εκτέθηκαν σε HFD και σε όλες τις συγκεντρώσεις Zn. / Zinc –Zn controls lipid and glucose metabolism via Zn-transcription factors. High fat diets –HFDs lead to intracellular free radicals accumulation, decrease the transcriptional expression of their scavengers and anti-oxidative enzymes’ activity leading finally to metabolic syndrome. Heat shock proteins-HSPs play a significant role in cellular resistance response , as an adaptation mechanism, after exposure to various stimuli. SCOPE: To study the effects of nutritional Zn and HSP70s on the metabonomics of serum and liver lipids in mice MATERIALS-METHODS: Male mice: 1. Wild type (Wt) Hybrid (F1/F1) C57Bl/6 x CBA και 2. Transgenic (Tg) human HSP70 overexpressing mice, one month old, were subjected for 10 weeks to the following diets : Diet Number of Wt Number of Tg Chow Diet (30 Zn) 6 10 High Fat Diet (3 Zn) 13 12 High Fat Diet (30 Zn) 9 8 High Fat Diet (300 Zn) 12 12 Composition of the three HF Diets: 3mg, 30mg, 300mg Zn /kg τροφής (mucedoola s.r.l Ιtaly-55% Cal from greasy ingredients),Chow :control diet Biochemical analyses: Cholesterol ,Triglycerides ,HDL-cholesterol, Glucose ,Insulin Metals and antioxidative factors levels: SOD (red blood cells )TAC (blood serum) Zn , Cu (red blood cells and liver tissue) Lipids metabonomics : Blood serum and liver tissue extracts for 1H-NMR spectrum analysis and evaluation CONCLUSIONS 1. HFDiet significantly increased the rate of mice body weight gaining, as well as, cholesterol-CL, high density lipoproteins-HDL, insulin, in WT and Tg mice and decreased plasma total antioxidant capacity-TAC and red blood cell super oxide dismutase –SOD activity , in WT and Tg mice 2.Suficient nutritional Zn (30 mg/kg food) prevails as a crucial modulator of a protective hepato-lipidaemic profil of mice in high fat diet. Zinc deficiency or excessiveness , in HFDiets , decreases plasma TAC in WT and Tg mice, while SOD activity shows proportional to Zn levels. Zinc deficiency or excessiveness increases the atherogenic SFA and decreases the anti –atherogenic lipids : PC, DU, LA DIAL ,UFA, in HDL, nonHDL and liver, in WΤ-HFD and Τg-HFD mice 3. HSP70s : Transgenic mice over-expressing hHsp70 gene and exposed either to Zn deficiency or Zn excessiveness , both driving usually to metabolic syndrome , reveal significantly better lipid profile indicators, comparing to WT mice. Tg mice revealed significantly lower CL , TG , HDL levels compared to WT, while HSP70 in Τg mice significantly increased total SOD activity in red blood cells. HSP70 also decreased the atherogenic SFAs and increased the anti-atherogenic lipids DIAL, DU, LA, UFA, SM in HDL, nonHDL and in the liver of mice exposed to HFDiets and all Zn concentrations

Aquesta tesi es centra en la caracterització funcional d'una proteïna de xoc de calor de baix pes molecular (Small Heat Shock Protein - sHSP) de classe I de surera pel que fa a la seva capacitat per protegir les cèl·lules de l'estrès i per estabilitzar les membranes. Les sHsps són proteïnes que s'expressen en condicions d'estrès cel·lular. Encara que certs aspectes funcionals de les sHsps són ben coneguts, el nostre treball aporta informacions noves sobre el paper de les diferents regions de la proteïna, especialment de la regió N-terminal.L'objectiu concret d'aquest treball és determinar la funció termoprotectora de QsHsp17.4-CI, una sHsp de classe I oobtinguda a partir de les cèl·lules de fel·lema d'alzina surera, en un model bacterià i analitzar la importància de les diferents regions de la proteïna en aquesta funció. Amb aquesta finalitat s'han dissenyat dues proteïnes parcials derivades de QsHsp17.4-CI: una a la que li falta la regió N-terminal (C105) i una altra amb pràcticament tot el domini -cristal·lí deleccionat (N61), i una tercera, derivada de QsHs10-CI, a la que li falta la meitat del domini -cristal·lí (Hsp10). També s'estudia la possible capacitat estabilitzadora de membranes i la capacitat de modificar l'expressió d'altres Hsps quan s'expressa de forma heteròloga.Els nostres resultats demostren que l'expressió de QsHsp17.4-CI protegeix a les cèl·lules d'E.coli de l'estrès tèrmic alhora que la regió N-terminal i la regió consens II del domini -cristal·lí són imprescindibles per aquesta funció de protecció. En relació a un possible paper en les membranes, els estudis de localització subcel·lular mostren que QsHsp17.4-CI colocalitza amb la fracció membranes i que la regió N-terminal de la proteïna és responsable d'aquesta colocalització. No s'ha pogut demostrar, però, que la localització amb la membrana estigui associada a un efecte protector d'aquesta: en cap cas la sobrexpressió de les proteïnes modifica la composició d'àcids grassos i només N61, que no té acció termoprotectora, altera l'estat fisico-químic de la membrana. En estudis d'expressió de novo en E.coli s'ha observat que, a diferència de les altres proteïnes heteròlogues, N61 activa l'expressió de la majoria de Hsps d'E.coli fent pensar en una possible relació entre l'estat físic de la membrana i l'activació de la resposta a l'estrès.En resum, en aquest treball hem provat la capacitat protectora de QsHsp17.4 i aportem noves dades sobre la importància de la regió N-terminal i la regió consens II del domini -cristal·lí en aquesta funció. Per altra banda, es suggereix que QsHsp17.4 podria interaccionar amb la membrana d'E.coli i que la regió N-terminal seria imprescindible per aquesta interacció. Finalment hem determinat que les proteïnes que provoquen variacions en l'estat de fluïdesa de la membrana poden activar la resposta al xoc de calor per part de la cèl·lula bacteriana. / This thesis is focused in the functional studies of a Small Heat Shock Protein (sHsp). sHsps are expressed under stress conditions. Although some functional aspects of these proteins are known, our work aport new data about the role of the different protein regions, especially the N-terminal region. The aim of this work is to demonstrate a thermotolerance effect of QsHsp17.4-CI in bacterial cells and to analyze the importance of the protein regions in this function. To achieve this objective two deletion mutants derived from QsHsp17.4-CI were designed: a protein lacking the N-terminal region (C105) and a protein where the entire -cristallin domain is missing (N61) and a third mutant, derived from QsHsp10-CI, that bears half of the -cristallin domain (Hsp10). To better understand the functional mechanism of sHsps we study the membrane stabilizing capacity of QsHsp17.4-CI as well as its capacity to modify other Hsps expression.Our results demonstrate that the expression of QsHsp17.4-CI protects E.coli cells from a heat shock and that the N-terminal region and the consensus region II of the -cristallin domain are necessary for this protective function. Related to a possible role in membranes, location studies suggest that QsHsp17.4-CI colocalizes with cell membrane fraction and that N-terminal region is important for this location. However, no relation between membrane localization and a protective effect has been demonstrated: Protein overexpression does not modify membrane fatty acid composition and only N61, which has no thermoprotection, changes membrane physical state. Studies of E.coli de novo synthesis show that, unlike the other recombinant proteins, the overexpression of N61 activates the expression of almost all E.coli Hsps suggesting a possible relation between membrane physical state and the activation of the heat shock response.As summary, in this work we have demonstrated the thermoprotective capacity of QsHsp17.4-CI and we contribute with new data about the importance of N-terminal region and consensus region II of -cristallin domain for this function. On the other hand, we suggest the possibility that QsHsp17.4-CI interacts with membrane and that N-terminal region is important for this interaction. Lastly, we have observed how changes in membranes fluidity state can activate heat shock response in bacterial cells.

Visando contribuir para o conhecimento da dinâmica do estresse celular por agentes químicos e físicos e suas possíveis implicações sobre a mobilização de elementos transponíveis presentes em Drosophila, foram realizadas diferentes abordagens experimentais utilizando a espécie cosmopolita Drosophila melanogaster, e as espécies neotropicais do subgrupo willistoni, D. willistoni (três linhagens) D. equinoxialis, D. paulistorum, D. insularis e D. tropicalis. Foi verificado o efeito tóxico de disseleneto de difenila ((PhSe)2) durante diferentes estágios do ciclo de vida da Drosophila melanogaster e das espécies do subgrupo willistoni. Em D. melanogaster, as moscas adultas foram mais resistentes a intoxicação por (PhSe)2 do que larvas e pupas. De uma maneira geral as espécies do subgrupo willistoni são mais sensíveis à intoxicação por selênio do que a D. melanogaster, possivelmente explicado e de acordo com a recentemente demonstrada ausência de homologia de genes para selenoproteínas no genoma de D. willistoni com todas as onze outras espécies sequenciadas. O potencial do selênio para promover estresse celular em D. melanogaster foi evidenciado através da transcrição do gene hsp83 por Northern blot. Nas espécies do subgrupo willistoni a expressão deste gene e do hsp70 foi abordada através de Real Time PCR em resposta ao selênio e ao paraquat, que igualmente foi mais tóxico nos estágios iniciais de desenvolvimento. Os resultados da expressão dos genes de estresse, entretanto, não foram conclusivos, bem como a procura da transposase do elemento P em resposta aos tratamentos. Apesar disso foram estabelecidas às condições experimentais para a realização de experimentos futuros. / Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of the dynamics of cell stress caused by chemical and physical agents and the likely implications thereof in the mobilization of transposable elements present in Drosophila, different experimental approaches were adopted using the cosmopolitan species Drosophila melanogaster and the Neotropical species of the willistoni subgroup, D. willistoni (three strains), D. equinoxialis, D. willistoni, D. paulistorum, D. insularis and D. tropicalis. The toxic effect of diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)2] was observed in the different life cycles of Drosophila melanogaster and of the species of the willistoni subgroup. D. melanogaster adult flies were more resistant to intoxication by (PhSe)2 as compared to larvae and pupae. Generally speaking the species belonging to the willistoni subgroup are more sensitive to intoxication by selenium as compared to D. melanogaster, which is possibly explained and in accordance to the recently demonstrated absence of gene homology of selenoproteins in the D. willistoni genome with all that of the other eleven species sequenced. The evidence of the potential exhibited by selenium to promote cell stress in D. melanogaster is shown by the hsp83 gene transcription analyzed by Northern blot. In the species of the willistoni subgroup, the expression of the hsp83 and of the hsp70 genes was analyzed by Real Time PCR in response to selenium and paraquat, which was equally more toxic in the early development stages. Nevertheless, the results of the stress gene expression were inconclusive, as well as the search for P element transposase in response to treatments. In spite of that, the experimental conditions required for future research have been established.