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Malaria is one of the most serious human infectious diseases. To date, the collection of studies suggest that the disease is determined by transmission dynamics and host age altogether with host genetics and immunological responses. The precise and direct contribution of parasite components to the activation of such immunological responses has not been fully unravelled. In addition to a role proposed for plasmodial GPI, different lines of evidence suggest that hemozoin (HZ) could also be a potential inflammatory agent. The role of HZ in the modulation of immune responses has remained a polemic subject, making it difficult to describe the contribution of this molecule in pathogenesis of malaria. However, our previous laboratory studies, suggest that HZ has a pro-inflammatory role. For this reason, our study was designed to further define the contribution of HZ to the pro-inflammatory events related to malaria immunopathology, and to identify the intracellular signals underlying the up-regulatory effects of HZ in the macrophage, one of the major sources of inflammatory mediators in malaria. In order to do that, we used a chemically characterized synthetic version of the native PfHZ, rcHZ; and evaluated its effects on macrophage nitric oxide (NO) production. Our first approach was to compare the effects of rcHZ with other morphologically different versions of this molecule (aHZ and scHZ) alone or in combination with IFN-gamma on macrophage NO production. In a second approach, we evaluated if the presence of serum proteins plays a role in the increased IFN-gamma induced-NO production by rcHZ. In the third part of our study, we explored if rcHZ is able to increase NO production by macrophages when incubated in combination with a molecule from another pathogen, such as gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccaride (LPS). The present study is a functional study that uses a synthetic and morphologically identical version of the native PfHZ. Our results suggests that intrinsic physical characteristics, such as shape and size; presence of host serum proteins, and presence of other pathogenic molecules, are important determinants for the macrophage response to HZ in the context of NO production. Besides, it describes part of the signaling pathways that are involved, which may contribute in the future, not only to understand mechanisms of regulation; but also, to find new therapeutic targets against malaria.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from file title page. Dabney W. Dixon, committee chair; Kathryn B. Grant, Jerry Smith, committee members. Electronic text (171 p. ; ill. (some col.)) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 23, 2008. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Marquette University, 2009. / James R. Kincaid, Daniel Sem, Michael D. Ryan, Advisors. Access available to Marquette University only.

NMR studies of paramagnetic hemoproteins have improved significantly our understanding of the structure-function relationship ofhemoproteins in general. Up to date most of the studies focus on low-spin ferric systems which are characterized by relatively narrow resonance peaks and concomitant better resolution. However, characterizing in detail the NMR spectra of high-spin ferric hemoproteins is important since there are several hemoproteins, such as peroxidases, catalases, oxygenases, and some ferricytochromes that contain high-spin iron (III) in their biologically active forms. Yet assigning resonances from heme peripheral protons and/or heme pocket residues in high-spin myoglobins is a daunting undertaking. Only a sparse number of active site residues are assigned in such instances, even for metaquo-myoglobin. The protons from the heme and heme pocket residues in high-spin complexes experience extremely fast relaxation and very broad linewidths, which impede the 2D methods that detect through-space and through-bond connectivities. It is the intention of this study to develop an effective strategy to gain more resonance assignments for fast-relaxing protons in hemoproteins. We have set out to use a combined strategy, using two-dimensional exchange spectroscopy (2D-EXSY) with two dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy I correlation spectroscopy I total correlation spectroscopy (NOESY/COSY/TOCSY). I demonstrate here that 2D EXSY experiments can be used to obtain assignment correlations for the heme protons of methydroxy-, metthiocyano-, metaquo-, and metimidazole-myoglobin forms. All these assignments are unambiguous and straightforward. Moreover, saturation-transfer experiments allow determination of ligand binding kinetics. Thus, the exchange rates between the metaquo- and metimidazole- or methyl substituted imidazole myoglobin complexes are estimated. The differences between the exchange rates reflect the differences in the hydrophobic and steric interactions between the ligands and the protein moiety. Although I only demonstrate the feasibility of2D EXSY for the myoglobin case, this assignment strategy should to be applicable to other hemoprotein systems.

Tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP) is currently under investigation for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. The study of the complex between SnPP and equine myoglobin (EqMb) by ¹H and ¹¹⁹Sn nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) can be viewed as a general model for SnPP interaction with hemoproteins. The complex formed from the equilibrium mixture of SnPP and EqMb, SnPP•EqMb, was found to have essentially the same porphyrin-binding pocket as EqMbCO and SwMbCO, including the same porphyrin orientation in the major form of the two species. ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that the proximal His(93)F8-metal coordination is likely to be intact in SnPP•EqMb. Minor shifts in the side chain positions of some of the residues were observed, possibly reflecting the presence of water in the sixth coordination site. SnPP•EqMb appears to be stable; it persists at room temperature for weeks and exhibits very slow exchange rates (²Hfor ¹H) for a large number of amide protons in the pH range 7-9. Events during the reconstitution of apomyoglobin (apoMb) with SnPP were probed. Thus interactions between tin(IV)protoporphyrin IX (SnPP) and equine apoMb, and between tin(IV) protoporphyrin IX dimers (SnPP)₂ and apoMb were observed by ¹H NMR and optical spectroscopic techniques. The products and intermediates observed in this situation were related to the equilibrium structure of SnPP•EqMb. Reactions of apoEqMb with SnPP and (SnPP)₂ produce different intermediates, although the final product, SnPP•EqMb, is the same for each. An intermediate observed for the reaction of SnPP with apoEqMb at pH 10 is in exchange with free SnPP, with the observed rate constant Koff ~ 1 sˉ¹; meso-proton resonances were assigned for this intermediate by correlation to SnPP resonances via chemical exchange. The intermediate observed for the reaction of (SnPP)₂ with apoEqMb at neutral pH produces another species which may be the alternate porphyrin-insertion isomer arising from a 180° rotation about the α,γ-meso axis of the porphyrin. Although optical absorbance spectroscopy of the Soret region shows evidence for the reaction of SnPP and (SnPP)₂ with apoMb, only in combination with ¹H NMR are the various processes assigned. T his study of the complex SnPP•EqMb facilitated the investigation of the more complex heme binding protein, hemopexin (Hx). Proton NMR spectroscopy is reported for the first time for the hemin complex of hemopexin, a serum protein that binds heme exceptionally tightly. Hx from cow, rat, rabbit, and human was isolated, and data for the protein were reported. Heme-bound Hx has spectral characteristics for being low-spin, paramagnetic. Deuterium isotope labels reveal the positions for the heme 1-, 3-, and 8-methyls; the 5-methyl lies in the -5 to 12 ppm region. Furthermore, two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy was used to locate other heme periphery protons, including those from the 2-vinyl and the 7-propionate. Upfield resonances are identified that are very strongly relaxed, and so are assigned to protons on the axial ligands. The information reported here contributes to the understanding of Hx as an antioxidant at the cellular level.

Cristais de mioglobina tipo A foram dopados por processo de difusão com o marcador 2, 2, 6, 6 - tetrametil-l-oxil (TEMPO). Observa-se a existência de uma espécie de marcador isotrópica e outra anisotrópica, que exibe uma simetria axial com A// = 23,4 G, A&#8869 = 20, 6 G e g = 2,0056. São estimados os tempos de correlação rotacional &#964// = 7,2.10-9s e &#964&#8869 = 4,8.10-9s. Uma análise do grau de hidrofobicidade dos resíduos, situados na parte interna da molécula, sugere como um possível sitio de localização para o TEMPO o bolso formado na região da tirosina 103 - hélice H e 151 - terminal 3HC. Este bolso tem tamanho suficiente para abrigar o radical e posição coerente com a heme, o que não acontece com outros sítios. Observa-se uma mudança conformacional da proteína, induzida pela temperatura na região 20-30&#176. Esta pode ser atribuída a um movimento da hélice H. Este resultado somado ao de outros autores indica uma mudança conformacional de grande extensão na molécula. / Type A myoglobin single crystals were doped with the 2, 2, 6, 6 -tetramethyl - 1 - oxyl (TEMPO) spin label by a diffusion process. We observed one isotropic spin label type, and another anisotropic type which shows an axial symmetry with A// = 23,4 G, A&#8869 = 20, 6 G and g = 2,0056. The rotational correlation times are estimated to be a &#964// = 7,2.10-9s and &#964&#8869 = 4,8.10-9s. A quantitative analysis on the hydrophobic nature of the residues situated inside the molecule suggests, as a possible site for the TEMPO, the pocket formed in the region of tyrosine 103-helix H and tyrpsine 151 - terminal 3HC. This pocket is of sufficient size to contain the radical and is positioned in such fashion as to be a compatible with the heme group, this not holding for other sites. A temperature induced conformational change in the protein is observed in the region 20-30&#176, which may be ascribed to a shift of the H helix. This fact, together with the finds of other authors, seems to indicate a generalized temperature induced conformational alteration in the molecule.

No presente trabalho, realizado com hemoproteínas na forma de pó, o efeito da hidratação foi observado através de espectroscopia fotoacústica. Amostras de carboxi-hemoglobina e carboxi-mioglobina mantidas em diferentes ambientes de umidade relativa (UR), mostraram variações em seus espectros na região da banda de Soret. Para amostras mantidas em baixa hidratação característico do derivado carboxi, em alta hidratação (acima de aproximadamente 90% UR) o espectro era característico do derivado carboxi e na região intermediária o espectro era de uma mistura dos dois derivados. Essa mudança de ligante observada em alta hidratação pode ser explicada supondo que a proteína tem flexibilidade e atinge um estado conformacional que possibilita a entrada e saída do ligante. Em baixa hidratação a estrutura da proteína é rígida e tal que o acesso ao grupo heme está fechado, impossibilitando a troca do ligante. Essa explicação é coerente com vários resultados experimentais que indicam a existência de duas estruturas para essas hemoproteínas em solução / At the present work accomplished with powder of hemoproteins, the hydration effect was observed through photoacoustic spectroscopy. Samples of caroxyhemoglobin and carboxymyglobin kept at different relative humidity (RH) environments, showed variations in their spectra in the Soret bad region. For the samples which were kept at low hydration (Bellow about 33% RH) the spectrum was characteristic of carboxy derivative, whereas at high hydration (above about 93% RH) the spectrum was characteristic of oxy derivative, and in the the intermediate region the spectrum was a mixture of both derivatives. This ligand change observed at high hydration, may be explained assuming that the protein has flexibility, and reach a conformational state which enables the ligand to GO in and out. At low hydrations the protein structure is rigid and such that the access to the heme group is closed becoming impossible the ligand change. This explanation agrees with several experimental results that point to the existence of two structures to these hemoproteins in solution

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Cleveland State University, 2009. / Abstract. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Sept.8, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-104). Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center and also available in print.