Systemic hypoxia frequently occurs in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Maintenance of vascular reactivity and endothelial viability is essential to preserving oxygen delivery in these patients. The role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) in the vascular response to hypoxia were investigated. In the first part of the thesis, the role of MMP-2 in regulating systemic arterial contraction after prolonged hypoxia was investigated. MMP-2 inhibition with cyclic peptide CTTHWGFTLC (CTT) reduced phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction in aortae and mesenteric arteries harvested from rats exposed to hypoxia for 7 d. Responses to PE were reduced in MMP-2-/- mice exposed to hypoxia for 7 d compared to wild-type controls. CTT reduced contraction induced by big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) in aortae harvested from rats exposed to hypoxia. Increased contraction to big ET-1 after hypoxia was observed in wild-type controls, but not MMP-2-/- mice. Rat aortic MMP-2 and MT1-MMP protein levels and MMP activity were increased after 7 d of hypoxia. Rat aortic MMP-2 and MT1-MMP mRNA levels were increased in the deep medial vascular smooth muscle. These results suggest that hypoxic induction of MMP-2 activity potentiates contraction in systemic conduit and resistance arteries through proteolytic activation of big ET-1. The second part of the thesis investigated oxygen regulation of HO-2 protein and whether it plays a role in preserving endothelial cell viability during hypoxia. HO-2, but not HO-1, protein level was maintained during hypoxia in human endothelial cells through enhanced translation of HO-2 transcripts. Inhibition of HO-2 expression increased the production of reactive oxygen species, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhanced apoptotic cell death and activated caspases during hypoxia, but not during normoxia. These data indicate that HO-2 is translationally regulated and important in maintaining endothelial viability and function during hypoxia. In summary, the thesis demonstrates the importance of MMP-2 and HO-2 in preserving vascular function during prolonged systemic hypoxia. These enzymatic pathways may, therefore, represent novel therapeutic targets that may be exploited to ameliorate the effects of hypoxia in patients with cardiopulmonary disease.

Stroke is the third largest cause of death, and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Treatments are sought to reduce mortality, and increase survival time following an ischaemic stroke. Hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) is the combination of cerebral ischaemia and global hypoxia that can lead to neuronal damage, particularly perinatally. The complex neurodegenerative cascade following ischaemic stroke and HI activates many stress pathways, including heme oxygenase (HO). HO metabolises free heme to release iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin, which is subsequently metabolised to bilirubin. This thesis aims to elucidate the role HO plays following HI, and assess any neuroprotective mechanisms using HO modulators. The 26 day old rat model of HI was used to induce the neurodegenerative cascade. All animals were sacrificed 3 days post-insult. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting demonstrated that HO-1 was increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere of both HI (by 1.7 � 0.1 fold: p = 0.016, n = 4) and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) brains (by 1.6 � 0.1 fold: p = 0.037, n = 4), compared to controls. HO-2 was constitutively expressed throughout the control brain, but HI upregulated HO-2 expression (by 1.7 � 0.2 fold: p = 0.027, n = 4) ipsilaterally, whereas MCAO did not alter HO-2 expression. Administration of the HO inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP; 30[mu]mol/kg intraperitoneally) daily, beginning 1 day prior to HI until sacrifice, reduced infarct volume to 50% � 10 of saline-treated animals (p = 0.039, n = 6-8). The HO inducer ferriprotoporphyrin (FePP; 30[mu]mol/kg) had no effect on infarct volume. HO activity and protein expression were not significantly altered following treatment with SnPP. Therefore, the neuroprotective actions of SnPP may be through alternative mechanisms. SnPP treatment increased HI + saline-induced total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity by 1.5 � 0.06 fold (p < 0.001, n = 6-8). Conversely, SnPP inhibited both inducible NOS (50% � 7 of HI + saline; p = 0.045, n = 7-8) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activity (32% � 6 of HI + saline; p = 0.049, n = 4-8). SnPP treatment also increased mitochondrial complex I activity by 1.6 � 0.25 fold (p = 0.04, n = 4-8) and complex V activity by 1.7 � 0.26 fold (p = 0.046, n = 4-8) in the ipsilateral hemisphere. It appears that SnPP is acting on inflammatory and mitochondrial enzymes to produce neuroprotection. In vitro analysis of cultured RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10[mu]g/mL) treated with SnPP (dose range: 10⁻�⁰M - 10⁻⁵M) did not alter nitrite levels or cell viability. However, high dose SnPP (10⁻⁵M) in the absence of LPS increased nitrite levels from control cells by 2.7 � 0.7 fold (p = 0.043, n = 6), complementing the in vivo total NOS data. Other mechanisms such as NMDA receptor activation were not affected by 100[mu]M SnPP or 100[mu]M SnCl₂ in patch clamped cortical pyramidal neurons. Overall, the role that HO plays following HI remains unclear, but this thesis provides definitive evidence that SnPP (an established HO inhibitor) provides neuroprotection. This neuroprotection may be due to its effects on inducible pathways such as NOS and COX. Therefore, further experimentation is required to fully elucidate the role that HO plays following cerebral ischaemia, and additional in vivo evidence will be necessary to establish HO inhibitors as a putative candidate for cerebral ischaemia neuroprotection.

v, 107 leaves, [22] 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 Biochemistry, 1988

Stroke is the third largest cause of death, and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Treatments are sought to reduce mortality, and increase survival time following an ischaemic stroke. Hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) is the combination of cerebral ischaemia and global hypoxia that can lead to neuronal damage, particularly perinatally. The complex neurodegenerative cascade following ischaemic stroke and HI activates many stress pathways, including heme oxygenase (HO). HO metabolises free heme to release iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin, which is subsequently metabolised to bilirubin. This thesis aims to elucidate the role HO plays following HI, and assess any neuroprotective mechanisms using HO modulators. The 26 day old rat model of HI was used to induce the neurodegenerative cascade. All animals were sacrificed 3 days post-insult. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting demonstrated that HO-1 was increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere of both HI (by 1.7 � 0.1 fold: p = 0.016, n = 4) and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) brains (by 1.6 � 0.1 fold: p = 0.037, n = 4), compared to controls. HO-2 was constitutively expressed throughout the control brain, but HI upregulated HO-2 expression (by 1.7 � 0.2 fold: p = 0.027, n = 4) ipsilaterally, whereas MCAO did not alter HO-2 expression. Administration of the HO inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP; 30[mu]mol/kg intraperitoneally) daily, beginning 1 day prior to HI until sacrifice, reduced infarct volume to 50% � 10 of saline-treated animals (p = 0.039, n = 6-8). The HO inducer ferriprotoporphyrin (FePP; 30[mu]mol/kg) had no effect on infarct volume. HO activity and protein expression were not significantly altered following treatment with SnPP. Therefore, the neuroprotective actions of SnPP may be through alternative mechanisms. SnPP treatment increased HI + saline-induced total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity by 1.5 � 0.06 fold (p < 0.001, n = 6-8). Conversely, SnPP inhibited both inducible NOS (50% � 7 of HI + saline; p = 0.045, n = 7-8) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activity (32% � 6 of HI + saline; p = 0.049, n = 4-8). SnPP treatment also increased mitochondrial complex I activity by 1.6 � 0.25 fold (p = 0.04, n = 4-8) and complex V activity by 1.7 � 0.26 fold (p = 0.046, n = 4-8) in the ipsilateral hemisphere. It appears that SnPP is acting on inflammatory and mitochondrial enzymes to produce neuroprotection. In vitro analysis of cultured RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10[mu]g/mL) treated with SnPP (dose range: 10⁻�⁰M - 10⁻⁵M) did not alter nitrite levels or cell viability. However, high dose SnPP (10⁻⁵M) in the absence of LPS increased nitrite levels from control cells by 2.7 � 0.7 fold (p = 0.043, n = 6), complementing the in vivo total NOS data. Other mechanisms such as NMDA receptor activation were not affected by 100[mu]M SnPP or 100[mu]M SnCl₂ in patch clamped cortical pyramidal neurons. Overall, the role that HO plays following HI remains unclear, but this thesis provides definitive evidence that SnPP (an established HO inhibitor) provides neuroprotection. This neuroprotection may be due to its effects on inducible pathways such as NOS and COX. Therefore, further experimentation is required to fully elucidate the role that HO plays following cerebral ischaemia, and additional in vivo evidence will be necessary to establish HO inhibitors as a putative candidate for cerebral ischaemia neuroprotection.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Vita. "August 2007" Includes bibliographical references.

Submitted by Nelci Antunes de Moura (nelcimoura@gmail.com) on 2016-05-20T00:29:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese Nelci final.pdf: 3449766 bytes, checksum: 82850e9746cb84286bf3b3204344f1e9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-05-23T19:39:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 moura_na_dr_bot.pdf: 3449766 bytes, checksum: 82850e9746cb84286bf3b3204344f1e9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-23T19:39:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 moura_na_dr_bot.pdf: 3449766 bytes, checksum: 82850e9746cb84286bf3b3204344f1e9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-18 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O ferro heme presente na carne vermelha está associado ao aumento da incidência do câncer colorretal (CCR). O heme pode catalisar a formação de compostos nitrosos e a peroxidação lipídica no lúmen intestinal. No entanto, os efeitos pró-carcinogênicos do heme podem ser inibidos por alguns compostos como os sais de cálcio, clorofila entre outros. Sabe-se que o indol-3-carbinol (I3C), presente nas plantas da família das Brassicas e os simbióticos são compostos promissores na prevenção do câncer de cólon, atuando em via de proliferação, apoptose e modulação da microbiota intestinal. Dessa forma, o objetivo desse estudo foi o de avaliar os efeitos da ingestão de simbiótico (prebiótico inulina associado ao probiótico Bifidobacterium lactis bb-12) e de I3C, isolados ou em associação sobre o processo de carcinogênese de cólon induzido pela 1,2-dimetilhidrazina (DMH) em ratos Wistar alimentados ou não com dieta suplementada com heme. Os animais foram alocados em 9 grupos, os grupos 1 a 8 (n=12) receberam quatro doses de DMH (40 mg/Kg) nas duas semanas iniciais do experimento. Os grupos 1 e 9 (n=12 e 5) receberam ração basal até o final do experimento e os grupos 2 a 8 receberam ração basal suplementada com heme, heme+I3C, heme+simbiótico, heme+I3C+simbiótico, I3C, simbiótico e I3C+simbiótico, respectivamente. A eutanásia ocorreu ao final da 25ª semana. Neste momento foi realizada a coleta do cólon com os respectivos tumores e amostras de fezes do ceco. Em seguida, procedeu-se a medida dos tumores e coleta de amostras para biologia molecular. Após a fixação em formalina tamponada e a retirada dos tumores, realizou-se a contagem de focos de criptas aberrantes (FCA) pela coloração de azul de metileno. Realizou-se a análise histológica dos tumores e a análise da expressão de 95 genes relacionados a via da carcinogênese colônica, pela técnica Taqman Low Density Array, e a expressão proteica da E-caderina, TGFB1 (Transforming growth factor beta 1) e RAF1 (Serine/threonine-protein kinase) por Western Blotting. Foram analisados os índices de proliferação celular e apoptose pelo PCNA (Proliferating cell nuclear antigen) e caspase 3-clivada, respectivamente, tanto nos cólons como em tumores, e a expressão de β-catenina e E-caderina nos tumores, por imunoistoquímica. Células da linhagem Caco-2 foram incubadas com água fecal extraída das fezes do ceco e submetidas a testes de citotoxicidade e genotoxidade pelos testes do MTT (mitochondrial tetrazolium test) e Cometa, respectivamente. Os dados foram comparados utilizando-se o software Sigma Stat 3.5 e Expression Suíte para expressão gênica. Foi observado aumento significativo no número de criptas aberrantes (CA) no grupo que recebeu heme (G2) quando comparado ao grupo que recebeu apenas ração basal (G1). Redução significativa no número de CA foi observada no grupo que recebeu heme+I3C (G3) e heme+simbiótico (G4) quando comparado ao grupo que recebeu heme (G2). O número de FCA totais com ≥ 9 criptas aberrantes foi significativamente menor no grupo que recebeu heme+simbiótico (G4) quando comparado ao grupo que recebeu heme (G2). Entretanto, aumento significativo no número de tumores com mais de 60 mm3 foi observado no grupo suplementado com heme+I3C+simbiótico (G5), quando comparado ao grupo que recebeu heme (G2). Além disso, foi observado aumento significativo na incidência de tumores invasivos no grupo que recebeu heme+I3C+simbiótico (G5) quando comparado ao grupo que recebeu heme (G2). Os tumores do grupo suplementado com heme+I3C+simbiótico (G5) apresentaram baixa expressão dos genes Cdh1, Tgfb1, Appl1 e alta expressão do Raf1, já os tumores do grupo suplementado com heme +I3C (G3) apresentaram baixa expressão do Cdh1. A água fecal do grupo que recebeu heme (G2) apresentou significativamente maior citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade quando comparado ao grupo que recebeu ração basal (G1). Com relação aos tratamentos, a água fecal do grupo que recebeu heme+I3C (G3) e heme e simbiótico (G4) apresentaram água fecal significativamente com menor potencial genotóxico quando comparada ao grupo que recebeu heme (G2). No entanto, o grupo que recebeu heme+I3C+simbiótico (G5) apresentou aumento significativo na genotoxicidade da água fecal. Dessa forma, concluímos que o heme associado a uma dieta com níveis normais de cálcio não é um potente indutor de FCA, mas aumenta a citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade da água fecal. No entanto, tanto o I3C como o simbiótico reduzem os efeitos citotóxicos/genotóxicos da ingestão de heme. Contudo, a associação do heme+I3C+simbiótico apresentou efeito promotor da carcinogênese de cólon. / Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide. Hemin iron, which is found in red meat, catalyzes the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds and lipid peroxidation end-products in the colon lumen. The procarcinogenic effect of hemin is known to be inhibited by molecules, such as calcium, chlorophyll and others. However, the preventive effect of indole 3-carbinol and synbiotics on colon carcinogenesis remains uninvestigated. The aim of this study was to assess the modifying effects of a synbiotic (inulin+ Bifidobacterium lactis) and/or I3C against dimethylhidrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in hemin-fed male Wistar rats. Nine groups of animals were evaluated. Groups 1–8 received a total of four s.c. DMH injections (40 mg/kg b.w.) over 2 weeks, whereas group 9 was given EDTA solution (vehicle). Two weeks after DMH-initiation, G1 and G9 were fed a basal diet while groups G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7 and G8 received a basal diet containing hemin, hemin+I3C, hemin+synbiotic, hemin+I3C+synbiotic, I3C, synbiotic and I3C+synbiotic, respectively, during 23 weeks. At 25 week, all animals were killed and their colons were removed. Cecal contents were collected to determine fecal water cytotoxicity and genotoxicity (DNA damage) in Caco-2 cells. Colon tumors were measured and samples were collected and stored at -800C. The colons were fixed flat in 10% buffered formalin for 24 h and stained with 1.0% methylene blue for classical ACF analysis and quantification. Tumor incidence and multiplicity were assessed after histopathological analysis. Gene and protein expression were determined in tumor samples alone. The total number of aberrant crypts (AC) was significantly higher (p= 0.03) in the hemin group (G2) than in the group fed basal diet (G1). AC number in both hemin+I3C (G3) and hemin+synbiotic (G4) groups was also significantly lower than in the group fed hemin (G2). Tumor volume was higher in the hemin+I3C+ synbiotic (G5) group and invasive adenocarcinoma was more frequent in the hemin+I3C+synbiotic group (G5) than in the group fed hemin (G2). Colon tumor expression analysis showed that in comparison with the group fed hemin (G2), Cdh1, Tgfb1 and Appl1 were downregulated while Raf1 was upregulated in the group hemin+I3C+synbiotic (G5), and Cdh1 was down-regulated in the group hemin+I3C (G3). Fecal water cytotoxicity in the hemin group (G2) was higher than in groups fed basal diet (G1) and hemin+I3C (G3). Fecal water genotoxicity was also significantly higher in the group fed hemin alone (G2) than in the basal diet group (G1), as well as, in groups fed hemin+I3C (G3) and hemin+synbiotics (G4). However, when compared to hemin alone (G2), fecal water from group hemin+I3C+ synbiotics (G5) presented the highest DNA damage levels. Our results suggest that although hemin in a regular-calcium diet was not a powerful ACF promoter, it increased fecal water citotoxicity and genotoxicity. On the other hand, hemin associated with either I3C or synbiotics prevented ACF promotion. Nonetheless, a synergistic interaction among hemin, I3C and synbiotic did promote DMH-induced tumorigenesis. / FAPESP: 2011/23699-4

ABCB10, or ATP binding cassette sub-family B member 10, is a protein localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane. It belongs to the ABC transporter family whose members are proteins that facilitate substrate transport across various biological membranes. It has been found that ABCB10 is required for normal heme biosynthesis during erythroid differentiation and also plays a role in protection against the damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This protective effect exists both in the erythrocyte development and in the heart recovery after the ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, as an ABC transporter, its transported substrates are not known, neither is the mechanism by which ABCB10 plays a role in protection against ROS damage. In this dissertation an 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system is established to study the ATP binding and hydrolysis properties of ABCB10. Using this approach, it is found that the conserved amino acid residues Gly497 and Lys498 in the Walker A motif of the nucleotide binding domain of ABCB10 are required for ATP binding. On the other hand, Gly602 in the C-loop motif and Glu624 in the end of the Walker B motif are necessary for ATP hydrolysis. In addition, most ABC transporters increase ATP hydrolysis in the presence of their substrates. Therefore, the 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system can be utilized to test potential substrates of ABCB10. Substances related to the heme biosynthesis such as &#948;-aminolevulinic acid (dALA) and the mitochondrial redox state such as oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and reduced glutathione (GSH) are tested for this purpose. The 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system shows that GSSG stimulates ATP hydrolysis without affecting ATP binding, whereas GSH decreases ATP binding. Further study shows that the nucleotide binding domain of ABCB10 is glutathionylated at the cysteine residue on the position 547 (Cys547), suggesting that GSH may modulate ABCB10 activity via the glutathionylation-regulated ATP binding. This is a first insight into the molecular mechanism by which the mitochondrial redox state, through the regulation by GSH and GSSG, can modulate ABCB10 activity. / 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z

No description available.

This thesis focuses on iron sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis by the ISC machinery in the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei. Most of proteins in the pathway show conserved functions, while some features are distinct from their counterparts in other organisms. We also show here the essentiality of the ISC machinery in bloodstream stage despite the fact that the parasites contain the rudimentary mitochondrion in this stage. The key player for the ISC export machinery, which is indispensable in the maturation of extra-mitochondrial Fe-S proteins, shows some extraordinary phenomena which may imply the moonlighting function of the protein. I also show preliminary data of an ongoing project concerning a putative heme transporter. The results indicate role in heme uptake of the protein, but further study is required to confirm the function of the protein.