A Leishmaniose é uma doença infecciosa causada por protozoários flagelados do gênero Leishmania. Os parasitas como a Leishmania braziliensis, sofrem várias mudanças morfológicas durante seu ciclo de vida, incluindo a troca de organismo hospedeiro. Durante essas mudanças, proteínas de choque térmico ou chaperones moleculares, como, por exemplo, a Hsp70, são expressas em grande quantidade. A função da Hsp70 é auxiliar no processo de enovelamento protéico, no transporte de proteínas entre as membranas e em muitas outras importantes funções celulares. A Hsp70 é auxiliada por várias proteínas denominadas como co-chaperone e a Hep1 (do inglês Hsp70-escort protein 1) é uma delas. Essa co-chaperone tem seu papel descrito principalmente em mitocôndrias como estabilizadoras da Hsp70 capazes de prevenir a sua agregação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi clonar, expressar, purificar e caracterizar as proteínas Hsp70 e Hep1 de L. braziliensis (LbHsp70 e LbHep1). Os ensaios preliminares mostraram que a LbHsp70 foi expressa de forma insolúvel, sendo necessário expressar a proteína em corpos de inclusão para tentativas de reenovelamento, afim de obter a mesma na fração solúvel. Apesar da LbHsp70 se apresentar na fração solúvel após o reenovelamento, a mesma foi purificada como agregado. Ainda na tentativa de obter a LbHsp70 na forma solúvel, a mesma foi co-expressa com a LbHep1 (expressa na forma solúvel), porém a LbHsp70 continuou na fração insolúvel do lisado bacteriano. Como a LbHep1 não apresentou a atividade esperada quando co-expressa com a LbHsp70 citoplasmática, foram feitos ensaios de co-expressão da LbHep1 com a Hsp70 mitocondrial humana, que é heterologamente expressa na forma de agregados, com o intuito de confirmar a atividade estabilizadora das Hep1 sobre as Hsp70 mitocondriais. Este experimento possibilitou a obtenção de ambas proteínas na fração solúvel, de acordo com dados apresentados na literatura para este sistema em outros organismos. Uma vez mostrada à funcionalidade da LbHep1, foi feita a caracterização desta proteína por métodos biofísicos como dicroísmo circular, espectrometria de fluorescência, cromatografia de exclusão molecular analítica e ultracentrifugação analítica. Os experimentos mostraram que a LbHep1 apresenta estrutura secundária composta principalmente de folhas-β pregueadas e que o único triptofano está parcialmente exposto ao solvente. As análises hidrodinâmicas mostraram que a LbHep1 é assimétrica e em equilíbrio entre monômeros e dímeros. Por fim, dados de ultracentrifugação analítica indicam que a LbHep1 está em equilíbrio monômero-dímero. / Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by flagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The parasites such as Leishmania braziliensis undergo various morphological changes during its life cycle, including the exchange of the host organism. During these changes, heat shock proteins or molecular chaperones like Hsp70, for example, are expressed in large amounts. The function of Hsp70 is to assist in the process of protein folding, protein transport between the membranes and many other important cellular functions. The Hsp70 is assisted by several proteins called co-chaperones and the Hsp70-escort protein (Hep1) is one of them. This co-chaperone has been described based on its role as a stabilizer of mitochondrial Hsp70 preventing their aggregation. The objective of this study was to clone, express, purify and characterize the Hsp70 and Hep1 ortologues of Leishmania braziliensis (LbHsp70 and LbHep1). The preliminary tests showed that LbHsp70 was expressed in the insoluble form, being necessary to express the protein in inclusion bodies to attempt its refolding in order to get it in the soluble fraction. Despite LbHsp70 was obtained in the soluble fraction after refolding, it was purified as aggregates. Still trying to get the LbHsp70 in the soluble form, it was co-expressed with LbHep1 (always expressed in the soluble form), but LbHsp70 remained in the insoluble fraction of the bacterial lysate. As LbHep1 showed no expected activity when co-expressed with LbHsp70, which is citoplasmatic, we tested if LbHep1 was able to act on human mitochondrial Hsp70 which is expressed as aggregates in bacterial heterologous systems. Then, we co-expressed LbHep1 with human mitochondrial Hsp70 which allowed obtaining both proteins in the soluble fraction, in according to data presented in the literature. Once the functionality of LbHep1 was showed, we characterize this protein by biophysical methods such as circular dichroism, fluorescence spectrometry, molecular exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation analysis. The experiments showed that the secondary structure features LbHep1 composed mainly of β-sheets and that the only tryptophan is partially exposed to solvent. Hydrodynamic analysis showed that the protein is asymmetric and in equilibrium between monomers and dimers. Finally, analytical ultracentrifugation data indicate that LbHep1 is a system in equilibrium monomer-dimer.

A Leishmaniose é uma doença infecciosa causada por protozoários flagelados do gênero Leishmania. Os parasitas como a Leishmania braziliensis, sofrem várias mudanças morfológicas durante seu ciclo de vida, incluindo a troca de organismo hospedeiro. Durante essas mudanças, proteínas de choque térmico ou chaperones moleculares, como, por exemplo, a Hsp70, são expressas em grande quantidade. A função da Hsp70 é auxiliar no processo de enovelamento protéico, no transporte de proteínas entre as membranas e em muitas outras importantes funções celulares. A Hsp70 é auxiliada por várias proteínas denominadas como co-chaperone e a Hep1 (do inglês Hsp70-escort protein 1) é uma delas. Essa co-chaperone tem seu papel descrito principalmente em mitocôndrias como estabilizadoras da Hsp70 capazes de prevenir a sua agregação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi clonar, expressar, purificar e caracterizar as proteínas Hsp70 e Hep1 de L. braziliensis (LbHsp70 e LbHep1). Os ensaios preliminares mostraram que a LbHsp70 foi expressa de forma insolúvel, sendo necessário expressar a proteína em corpos de inclusão para tentativas de reenovelamento, afim de obter a mesma na fração solúvel. Apesar da LbHsp70 se apresentar na fração solúvel após o reenovelamento, a mesma foi purificada como agregado. Ainda na tentativa de obter a LbHsp70 na forma solúvel, a mesma foi co-expressa com a LbHep1 (expressa na forma solúvel), porém a LbHsp70 continuou na fração insolúvel do lisado bacteriano. Como a LbHep1 não apresentou a atividade esperada quando co-expressa com a LbHsp70 citoplasmática, foram feitos ensaios de co-expressão da LbHep1 com a Hsp70 mitocondrial humana, que é heterologamente expressa na forma de agregados, com o intuito de confirmar a atividade estabilizadora das Hep1 sobre as Hsp70 mitocondriais. Este experimento possibilitou a obtenção de ambas proteínas na fração solúvel, de acordo com dados apresentados na literatura para este sistema em outros organismos. Uma vez mostrada à funcionalidade da LbHep1, foi feita a caracterização desta proteína por métodos biofísicos como dicroísmo circular, espectrometria de fluorescência, cromatografia de exclusão molecular analítica e ultracentrifugação analítica. Os experimentos mostraram que a LbHep1 apresenta estrutura secundária composta principalmente de folhas-β pregueadas e que o único triptofano está parcialmente exposto ao solvente. As análises hidrodinâmicas mostraram que a LbHep1 é assimétrica e em equilíbrio entre monômeros e dímeros. Por fim, dados de ultracentrifugação analítica indicam que a LbHep1 está em equilíbrio monômero-dímero. / Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by flagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The parasites such as Leishmania braziliensis undergo various morphological changes during its life cycle, including the exchange of the host organism. During these changes, heat shock proteins or molecular chaperones like Hsp70, for example, are expressed in large amounts. The function of Hsp70 is to assist in the process of protein folding, protein transport between the membranes and many other important cellular functions. The Hsp70 is assisted by several proteins called co-chaperones and the Hsp70-escort protein (Hep1) is one of them. This co-chaperone has been described based on its role as a stabilizer of mitochondrial Hsp70 preventing their aggregation. The objective of this study was to clone, express, purify and characterize the Hsp70 and Hep1 ortologues of Leishmania braziliensis (LbHsp70 and LbHep1). The preliminary tests showed that LbHsp70 was expressed in the insoluble form, being necessary to express the protein in inclusion bodies to attempt its refolding in order to get it in the soluble fraction. Despite LbHsp70 was obtained in the soluble fraction after refolding, it was purified as aggregates. Still trying to get the LbHsp70 in the soluble form, it was co-expressed with LbHep1 (always expressed in the soluble form), but LbHsp70 remained in the insoluble fraction of the bacterial lysate. As LbHep1 showed no expected activity when co-expressed with LbHsp70, which is citoplasmatic, we tested if LbHep1 was able to act on human mitochondrial Hsp70 which is expressed as aggregates in bacterial heterologous systems. Then, we co-expressed LbHep1 with human mitochondrial Hsp70 which allowed obtaining both proteins in the soluble fraction, in according to data presented in the literature. Once the functionality of LbHep1 was showed, we characterize this protein by biophysical methods such as circular dichroism, fluorescence spectrometry, molecular exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation analysis. The experiments showed that the secondary structure features LbHep1 composed mainly of β-sheets and that the only tryptophan is partially exposed to solvent. Hydrodynamic analysis showed that the protein is asymmetric and in equilibrium between monomers and dimers. Finally, analytical ultracentrifugation data indicate that LbHep1 is a system in equilibrium monomer-dimer.

L’anémie de Blackfan-Diamond (ABD) est une érythroblastopénie congénitale rare, secondaire à un blocage de la maturation érythroïde entre les stades BFU-e et CFU-e. L’ABD est le plus souvent la conséquence d’une mutation germinale affectant un gène codant pour une protéine ribosomique (RP) de la petite ou de la grande sous-unité du ribosome. Quatorze gènes distincts ont été identifiés. Les gènes les plus fréquemment mutés sont les gènes RPL5, RPL11 et RPS19 (37% des patients). Plus rarement, l’ABD est la conséquence de mutations dans le gène TSR2 ou dans le gène GATA-1. Ce dernier code pour un facteur de transcription majeur de l’érythropoïèse. Chez les patients ABD, les mutations de GATA-1 induisent une perte quasi-totale de la forme longue de GATA-1 qui est nécessaire à la différenciation de la cellule érythroïde. Notre groupe a identifié deux phénotypes de l’ABD in vitro en fonction du gène muté. En cas d’haploinsuffisance RPS19, la prolifération érythroïde est moins réduite qu’en cas d’haploinsuffisance RPL5 ou de RPL11. Une haploinsuffisance RPS19 n’altère pas la différenciation érythroïde et n’induit pas d’apoptose contrairement à l’haploinsuffisance RPL5 ou RPL11 où il existe un retard de différenciation érythroïde et un excès net d’apoptose responsable au moins en partie de la diminution drastique de la prolifération érythroïde dans ces phénotypes.HSP70 est impliquée dans la survie cellulaire et la différenciation érythroïde en protégeant GATA-1 du clivage par la caspase-3, une protéase activée lors de la différenciation érythroïde terminale. Comme la différence entre les deux phénotypes d’ABD in vitro concernait la différenciation érythroïde et la survie cellulaire, nous avons émis l’hypothèse selon laquelle la mutation de certains gènes RP provoque un défaut d’expression d’HSP70 conduisant au blocage de la différenciation érythroïde et à l’excès d’apoptose retrouvés dans les phénotypes sévères d’ABD.Nous avons étudié différents patients atteints d’ABD, porteurs de mutations dans les gènes RPS19, RPL5 ou RPL11 et généré un modèle in vitro d’ABD en exprimant, dans des cellules CD34+ humaines issues de sang de cordon, des ARN interférents ciblant RPL5, RPL11 ou RPS19. Chez les patients comme dans le modèle reproduisant l’ABD, l’haploinsuffisance RPL5 ou RPL11 diminue drastiquement l’expression protéique de HSP70 et de GATA-1 (Western blot, microscopie confocale et en cytométrie couplée à des techniques d’imagerie, (technologie ImageStream) à la différence de 1’haploinsuffisance RPS19. Dans tous les cas, HSP70 est normalement transcrite et traduite. Les inhibiteurs du protéasome (MG132, lactacystine, bortezomib) restaurent l’expression10de HSP70. La diminution d’expression de HSP70 est donc liée à une dégradation protéasomale. L’invalidation de RPL11 induit une polyubiquitinylation importante de HSP70. La transduction lentivirale de l’ADN complémentaire d’HSP70 dans les cellules primitives invalidées pour RPL11 permet de restaurer l’expression de HSP70 et de GATA-1 à un niveau similaire aux contrôles et de rétablir la prolifération cellulaire et la différenciation érythroïde, confirmant le rôle clé de HSP70 dans le phénotype sévère RPL5+/Mut ou RPL11+/Mut. Les formes les plus sévères de l’ABD sont associées à la dégradation de HSP70 par le protéasome. La perte de la protéine chaperone de GATA-1 induit la perte de GATA-1, facteur de transcription majeur de la différenciation érythroïde. Une augmentation de l’expression de HSP70 pourrait ainsi constituer une nouvelle approche thérapeutique dans l’ABD. / Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is the first ribosomopathy identified and is characterized by a moderate to severe, usually macrocytic aregenerative anemia associated with congenital malformations in 50% of the DBA cases. This congenital rare erythroblastopenia is due to a blockade in erythroid differentiation between the BFU-e and CFU-e stages. The link between a haploinsufficiency in a ribosomal protein (RP) gene that now encompass 15 different RP genes and the erythroid defect is still to be fully defined. Recently, mutations in TSR2 and GATA-1 genes have been identified in a few DBA families. The GATA-1 gene encodes for the major transcription factor critical for erythropoiesis and mutation in this gene that lead to loss of expression of the long form of the protein, necessary for the erythroid differentiation accounts for erythroblastopenia of DBA phenotype. Our group and others (Dutt et al., Blood 2011) have shown previously that p53 plays an important role in the DBA erythroblastopenia, inducing cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 and depending on the nature of RP gene mutation, a delayed erythroid differentiation and an increased apoptosis. Indeed, we identified two distinct DBA phenotypes (H. Moniz, M. Gastou, Cell Death Dis, 2012): a haploinsufficiency in RPL5 or RPL11 reduced dramatically the erythroid proliferation, delayed the erythroid differentiation, and markedly increased apoptosis, while RPS19 haploinsufficiency while reduced the extent of erythroid proliferation without inducing significant apoptosis. While p53 pathway has been found to be activated in RP haploinsufficient erythroid cells in DBA patients or shRNA-RPS19, -RPL5, or -RPL11 infected CD34+ erythroid cells, the intensity of the p53 activation pathway (p21, BAX, NOXA) is different depending on the mutated RP gene. Since the differences between the two phenotypes involved the eytrhoid differentiation and the degree of apoptosis we hypothesized that HSP70, a chaperone protein of GATA-1 may play a key role in the erythroid defect of DBA. Indeed, HSP70 protects GATA-1 from the cleavage by the caspase 3, a protease activated during erythroid differentiation. As such reduced levels of HSP70 related to a RP haploinsufficiency could account for increased apoptosis and delayed erythroid differentiation of erythroid cells in DBA. Indeed, a defect in RPL5 or RPL11 decreased dramatically the expression level of HSP70 and GATA-1 in primary human erythroid cells from DBA patients and following in vitro knockdown of the proteins in CD34+ cells by RPL5 or RPL11 shRNA. Importantly, RPS19 haploinsufficiency did not exhibit this effect in conjunction with normal levels of HSP70 expression. Furthermore, we found that the decreased expression level of12HSP70 was independent on the p53 activation. Strikingly, HSP70 was noted to be degraded by the proteasome since the bortezomib, the MG132, or the lactacystin were able to restore both the HSP70 expression level and intracellular localization in the cell. The lentiviral infection of depleted RPL11 cord blood CD34+ cells with a wild type HSP70 cDNA restored both the erythroid proliferation and differentiation, and reduced apoptosis, confirming a critical role for HSP70 in the erythroid defect in the RPL11+/Mut DBA phenotypes. The loss of HSP70 may explain the loss of GATA-1 in DBA and also the erythroid tropism of the DBA disease. Restoration of the HSP70 expression level may be a viable and novel therapeutic option for management of this debilitating and difficult to manage erythroid disorder.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are sex differences in induced heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression in human skeletal muscle under basal conditions and in response to intense intermittent isometric exercise. Furthermore, this study examined potential sex differences in muscle fatigability and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function for up to 9 days following the bout of exercise. In total, 6 male (20 ± 0.5 years of age, 70.88 ± 10.25 kg, mean ± SE) and 6 female participants (19 ± 0.25 years of age, 58.02 ± 5.82 kg, mean ± SE) were recruited for this study to do one legged intermittent isometric exercise with a 50% duty cycle (5 sec contraction: 5 sec relaxation) at 60% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 30 minutes. Muscle biopsies, blood samples and muscle stimulation measurements were taken prior to starting exercise for assessment of baseline values. These same measures were taken immediately POST exercise and at 24(R1), 72(R3), 144(R6) and 216(R9) hours following the exercise. Muscle samples were analyzed for exercise and recovery response of Hsp70, sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase (SERCA)1 and SERCA2 protein content, as well as measurements of maximal Ca2+ ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake. Blood samples were also analyzed for serum estrogen and creatine kinase concentrations. The results from this study show that there are no differences in basal Hsp70 protein content between males and females, and that females have a blunted (no increase up to 9 days post exercise) Hsp70 response following a bout of intense exercise in comparison to males who had a robust response. Immediately following exercise females had smaller decrements in MVC and electrically stimulated force (10 and 100Hz). It was also found that at low frequencies of stimulation (10Hz), females were able to recover at a quicker rate than males. There was no evidence that the decrements in force or the differences in recovery time between males and females were due to alterations in SERCA protein content or function. This thesis is the first study in humans to show that there is sexual dimorphism in the exercise induced Hsp70 response to exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are sex differences in induced heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression in human skeletal muscle under basal conditions and in response to intense intermittent isometric exercise. Furthermore, this study examined potential sex differences in muscle fatigability and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function for up to 9 days following the bout of exercise. In total, 6 male (20 ± 0.5 years of age, 70.88 ± 10.25 kg, mean ± SE) and 6 female participants (19 ± 0.25 years of age, 58.02 ± 5.82 kg, mean ± SE) were recruited for this study to do one legged intermittent isometric exercise with a 50% duty cycle (5 sec contraction: 5 sec relaxation) at 60% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 30 minutes. Muscle biopsies, blood samples and muscle stimulation measurements were taken prior to starting exercise for assessment of baseline values. These same measures were taken immediately POST exercise and at 24(R1), 72(R3), 144(R6) and 216(R9) hours following the exercise. Muscle samples were analyzed for exercise and recovery response of Hsp70, sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase (SERCA)1 and SERCA2 protein content, as well as measurements of maximal Ca2+ ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake. Blood samples were also analyzed for serum estrogen and creatine kinase concentrations. The results from this study show that there are no differences in basal Hsp70 protein content between males and females, and that females have a blunted (no increase up to 9 days post exercise) Hsp70 response following a bout of intense exercise in comparison to males who had a robust response. Immediately following exercise females had smaller decrements in MVC and electrically stimulated force (10 and 100Hz). It was also found that at low frequencies of stimulation (10Hz), females were able to recover at a quicker rate than males. There was no evidence that the decrements in force or the differences in recovery time between males and females were due to alterations in SERCA protein content or function. This thesis is the first study in humans to show that there is sexual dimorphism in the exercise induced Hsp70 response to exercise.

As chaperonas moleculares são ativas em muitos processos celulares envolvendo o enovelamento e a homeostase de proteínas. Essas características fazem das chaperonas alvos potenciais para o tratamento de diversas doenças. As Hsp70 e as Hsp90, em especial, são proteínas ubíquas altamente conservadas biologicamente que atuam no enovelamento de proteínas nascentes, prevenção da agregação proteica, recuperação de proteínas de agregados, sinalização e crescimento celular, dentre outros. Contudo, para que essas proteínas cumpram eficientemente suas funções, elas devem ser moduladas por co-chaperonas moleculares. A SGT é uma co-chaperona que pode ser dividida em três regiões: domínio N-terminal, domínio TPR e domínio C-terminal, sendo que a região do domínio TPR é a responsável pela interação com o motivo EEVD no C-terminal das Hsp90 e Hsp70 citoplasmáticas. A SGT é encontrada em vários organismos, dentre eles os protozoários do gênero Leishmania spp.. Estes organismos são responsáveis pela leishmaniose, uma doença negligenciada que afeta milhares de pessoas todos os anos, principalmente em países subdesenvolvidos. Evidências indicam que a SGT em protozoários é essencial para o crescimento e viabilidade da forma promastigota. Diante disso, nesse trabalho foi feito o estudo estrutural e funcional da co-chaperona SGT de Leishmania braziliensis (LbSGT). A LbSGT recombinante foi produzida e purificada. A caracterização estrutural indica que a LbSGT é uma proteína rica em estrutura secundária do tipo hélice α que se comporta como um dímero alongado em solução. Dados de estabilidade térmica e química indicam que a LbSGT é uma proteína formada por domínios com diferentes estabilidades. A LbSGT foi identificada in vivo e o western blotting indicou sua presença cognata nas formas promastigotas do protozoário. Os ensaios de interação indicam que as interações entre a LbSGT e a Hsp90 de L. braziliensis (LbHsp90) e a LbSGT e Hsp70-1A humana (usada como proteína modelo) são diferentes da interação da LbSGT com o peptídeo MEEVD. Sendo assim, esses dados sugerem que a interação da LbSGT com a Hsp70-1A e LbHsp90 envolvem mais regiões das proteínas do que somente o motivo de interação da Hsp70-1A e da LbHsp90 com o domínio TPR da LbSGT. Em conjunto, as propriedades estruturais e funcionais da LbSGT observadas estão de acordo com a possível função da SGT como proteína adaptadora entre os sistemas Hsp70 e Hsp90 no foldossoma. / The molecular chaperones are active in many cellular processes involving protein folding and homeostasis. These characteristics make the chaperones potential targets to the treatment of many diseases. Hsp70 and Hsp90, in special, are highly conserved ubiquitous proteins that act in the folding of nascent proteins, protein aggregation prevention, aggregate recovering, signaling and cellular growth, among others. However, for these proteins to effectively fulfill their function, they must be modulated by molecular co-chaperones. SGT is a co-chaperone that can be divided into three domains: a N-terminal domain, a TPR domain and a C-terminal domain, being the TPR domain responsible for the interaction with the EEVD motif at the C-terminus of cytoplasmic Hsp90 and Hsp70. SGT is found in various organisms; among they are the protozoans of Leishmania spp.. These organisms are responsible for leishmaniasis, a neglected disease that affects thousands people every year, mainly at underdeveloped countries. Evidences indicate that SGT in protozoans are essential to the growth and viability of promastigote form. Therefore, the structural and functional study of the Leishmania braziliensis SGT (LbSGT) is presented. Recombinant LbSGT was produced and purified. The structural characterization points that LbSGT is rich in α-helix secondary structure and behaves as an elongated dimer in solution. Chemical and thermal stability data suggest that LbSGT is formed by domains of different stabilities. LbSGT was identified in vivo and the western blotting indicates its cognate presence in the protozoan promastigote forms. The interaction assays show that the interaction between LbSGT and Hsp90 of L. braziliensis (LbHsp90) or human Hsp70-1A (used as model protein) were different from the interaction between LbSGT with MEEVD peptide. Moreover, these data suggests that the interaction between LbSGT and Hsp70-1A and LbHsp90 involves additional protein regions besides the Hsp70-1A and LbHsp90 interaction motif. Altogether, the observed functional and structural proprieties of LbSGT accord to the SGT possible function as an adapter protein between the Hsp70 and Hsp90 systems in the foldossome.

A Hsp70 mitocondrial humana (mtHsp70 ou mortalina) está envolvida em diversos processos celulares: na matriz mitocondrial atua na importação de proteínas produzidas no citoplasma; no citoplasma, pode atuar sequestrando a p53, estando assim envolvida na proliferação de alguns tipos de câncer. A literatura ainda aponta que a mortalina participa na manutenção de várias doenças causadas pelo envelhecimento, como mal de Parkinson e de Alzheimer. Desse modo, o estudo estrutural e a investigação das principais funções da mortalina in vivo e in vitro, além de sua interação com outras chaperonas e co-chaperonas é de grande relevância científica, podendo proporcionar um maior entendimento de seu papel celular e da maquinaria bioquímica nas doenças onde ela está inserida. Apesar de ser conhecida há bastante tempo, as tentativas de expressão heteróloga da mortalina recombinante resultam na sua produção na forma insolúvel, inviabilizando estudos estruturais e funcionas in vitro. Assim, as informações estruturais e funcionais desta proteína permaneceram limitadas até então. Em 2005, foi descrita uma co-chaperona da mortalina que atua auxiliando o seu enovelamento correto e em sua manutenção na fração solúvel, esta proteína mitocondrial foi denominada de hHep1 (Hsp70-escort protein 1) e por meio de sua co-expressão com a mortalina foi possível obter esta última na sua forma monomérica, solúvel e estável. Isso possibilitou realizar ensaios de caracterização estrutural e funcional da mortalina, sendo o foco principal deste trabalho de doutorado. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a mortalina se apresenta como um monômero ligeiramente alongado em solução, sendo formada por 2 domínios com estabilidades distintas. Os ensaios funcionais revelaram uma constante de dissociação (KD) para interação com nucleotídeos adenosina da ordem de 1 µM. A mortalina apresenta atividade ATPásica com valores de Vmáx e KM da ordem de 0,21 pmol de ATP por min e 190 ± 20 µM, respectivamente. Este trabalho é pioneiro na caracterização estruturale funcional da mortalina humana e espera-se que estudos posteriores, elucidem mais detalhedamente os mecanismos de interação da mortalina com proteínas clientes nos diversos compartimentos celulares onde ela atua. / The human mitochondrial Hsp70 (mtHsp70 or mortalina) is involved in many cellular processes: in the mitochondrion matrix, mortalin acts in the process of protein importation from cytoplasm; in the cytoplasm may act by sequestering p53, protein involved in the proliferation of some kinds of cancer. The literature also shows that mortalin participates in the maintenance of various diseases caused by aging, such as Parkinson\'s and Alzheimer\'s. Thus, the structural study and research of the main functions of mortalin in vivo and in vitro, and its interaction with other chaperones and co-chaperones is of great scientific importance and may provide a greater understanding of their role and cellular biochemical machinery in diseases where it is inserted. Despite being known for a long time, the expression of heterologous mortalin resulted in an insoluble form of the protein, which precludes its in vitro structural and functional studies. Thus, structural and functional information of this protein, along with its interaction with chaperones, co-chaperones and client proteins, remained unknown. By 2005, it was described co-chaperone that acts on mortalin helping its correct folding and its maintenance in the soluble fraction, this mitochondrial protein was called hHep1 (Hsp70-escort protein 1) and through its co-expression with mortalin it was possible to obtain the recombinant mortalin in its monomeric, soluble and stable. With this protein, it was possible to perform tests of structural and functional characterization of recombinant mortalin, the main focus of this doctoral work. The results suggest that mortalin behaves as a slightly elongated monomer in solution, formed by two domains with different stabilities. Functional assays showed that the dissociation constant for interaction with adenosine nucleotide of the order of 1 µM. Mortalin has ATPase activity with Vmax and KM values of 0.21 pmol ATP per min and 190 ± 20 µM, respectively. It is expected that these results provide information for further studies, such as for elucidating the mechanisms that mortalin interacts with client proteins in various cellular compartments in which it operates.

As chaperonas moleculares são ativas em muitos processos celulares envolvendo o enovelamento e a homeostase de proteínas. Essas características fazem das chaperonas alvos potenciais para o tratamento de diversas doenças. As Hsp70 e as Hsp90, em especial, são proteínas ubíquas altamente conservadas biologicamente que atuam no enovelamento de proteínas nascentes, prevenção da agregação proteica, recuperação de proteínas de agregados, sinalização e crescimento celular, dentre outros. Contudo, para que essas proteínas cumpram eficientemente suas funções, elas devem ser moduladas por co-chaperonas moleculares. A SGT é uma co-chaperona que pode ser dividida em três regiões: domínio N-terminal, domínio TPR e domínio C-terminal, sendo que a região do domínio TPR é a responsável pela interação com o motivo EEVD no C-terminal das Hsp90 e Hsp70 citoplasmáticas. A SGT é encontrada em vários organismos, dentre eles os protozoários do gênero Leishmania spp.. Estes organismos são responsáveis pela leishmaniose, uma doença negligenciada que afeta milhares de pessoas todos os anos, principalmente em países subdesenvolvidos. Evidências indicam que a SGT em protozoários é essencial para o crescimento e viabilidade da forma promastigota. Diante disso, nesse trabalho foi feito o estudo estrutural e funcional da co-chaperona SGT de Leishmania braziliensis (LbSGT). A LbSGT recombinante foi produzida e purificada. A caracterização estrutural indica que a LbSGT é uma proteína rica em estrutura secundária do tipo hélice α que se comporta como um dímero alongado em solução. Dados de estabilidade térmica e química indicam que a LbSGT é uma proteína formada por domínios com diferentes estabilidades. A LbSGT foi identificada in vivo e o western blotting indicou sua presença cognata nas formas promastigotas do protozoário. Os ensaios de interação indicam que as interações entre a LbSGT e a Hsp90 de L. braziliensis (LbHsp90) e a LbSGT e Hsp70-1A humana (usada como proteína modelo) são diferentes da interação da LbSGT com o peptídeo MEEVD. Sendo assim, esses dados sugerem que a interação da LbSGT com a Hsp70-1A e LbHsp90 envolvem mais regiões das proteínas do que somente o motivo de interação da Hsp70-1A e da LbHsp90 com o domínio TPR da LbSGT. Em conjunto, as propriedades estruturais e funcionais da LbSGT observadas estão de acordo com a possível função da SGT como proteína adaptadora entre os sistemas Hsp70 e Hsp90 no foldossoma. / The molecular chaperones are active in many cellular processes involving protein folding and homeostasis. These characteristics make the chaperones potential targets to the treatment of many diseases. Hsp70 and Hsp90, in special, are highly conserved ubiquitous proteins that act in the folding of nascent proteins, protein aggregation prevention, aggregate recovering, signaling and cellular growth, among others. However, for these proteins to effectively fulfill their function, they must be modulated by molecular co-chaperones. SGT is a co-chaperone that can be divided into three domains: a N-terminal domain, a TPR domain and a C-terminal domain, being the TPR domain responsible for the interaction with the EEVD motif at the C-terminus of cytoplasmic Hsp90 and Hsp70. SGT is found in various organisms; among they are the protozoans of Leishmania spp.. These organisms are responsible for leishmaniasis, a neglected disease that affects thousands people every year, mainly at underdeveloped countries. Evidences indicate that SGT in protozoans are essential to the growth and viability of promastigote form. Therefore, the structural and functional study of the Leishmania braziliensis SGT (LbSGT) is presented. Recombinant LbSGT was produced and purified. The structural characterization points that LbSGT is rich in α-helix secondary structure and behaves as an elongated dimer in solution. Chemical and thermal stability data suggest that LbSGT is formed by domains of different stabilities. LbSGT was identified in vivo and the western blotting indicates its cognate presence in the protozoan promastigote forms. The interaction assays show that the interaction between LbSGT and Hsp90 of L. braziliensis (LbHsp90) or human Hsp70-1A (used as model protein) were different from the interaction between LbSGT with MEEVD peptide. Moreover, these data suggests that the interaction between LbSGT and Hsp70-1A and LbHsp90 involves additional protein regions besides the Hsp70-1A and LbHsp90 interaction motif. Altogether, the observed functional and structural proprieties of LbSGT accord to the SGT possible function as an adapter protein between the Hsp70 and Hsp90 systems in the foldossome.

A Hsp70 mitocondrial humana (mtHsp70 ou mortalina) está envolvida em diversos processos celulares: na matriz mitocondrial atua na importação de proteínas produzidas no citoplasma; no citoplasma, pode atuar sequestrando a p53, estando assim envolvida na proliferação de alguns tipos de câncer. A literatura ainda aponta que a mortalina participa na manutenção de várias doenças causadas pelo envelhecimento, como mal de Parkinson e de Alzheimer. Desse modo, o estudo estrutural e a investigação das principais funções da mortalina in vivo e in vitro, além de sua interação com outras chaperonas e co-chaperonas é de grande relevância científica, podendo proporcionar um maior entendimento de seu papel celular e da maquinaria bioquímica nas doenças onde ela está inserida. Apesar de ser conhecida há bastante tempo, as tentativas de expressão heteróloga da mortalina recombinante resultam na sua produção na forma insolúvel, inviabilizando estudos estruturais e funcionas in vitro. Assim, as informações estruturais e funcionais desta proteína permaneceram limitadas até então. Em 2005, foi descrita uma co-chaperona da mortalina que atua auxiliando o seu enovelamento correto e em sua manutenção na fração solúvel, esta proteína mitocondrial foi denominada de hHep1 (Hsp70-escort protein 1) e por meio de sua co-expressão com a mortalina foi possível obter esta última na sua forma monomérica, solúvel e estável. Isso possibilitou realizar ensaios de caracterização estrutural e funcional da mortalina, sendo o foco principal deste trabalho de doutorado. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a mortalina se apresenta como um monômero ligeiramente alongado em solução, sendo formada por 2 domínios com estabilidades distintas. Os ensaios funcionais revelaram uma constante de dissociação (KD) para interação com nucleotídeos adenosina da ordem de 1 µM. A mortalina apresenta atividade ATPásica com valores de Vmáx e KM da ordem de 0,21 pmol de ATP por min e 190 ± 20 µM, respectivamente. Este trabalho é pioneiro na caracterização estruturale funcional da mortalina humana e espera-se que estudos posteriores, elucidem mais detalhedamente os mecanismos de interação da mortalina com proteínas clientes nos diversos compartimentos celulares onde ela atua. / The human mitochondrial Hsp70 (mtHsp70 or mortalina) is involved in many cellular processes: in the mitochondrion matrix, mortalin acts in the process of protein importation from cytoplasm; in the cytoplasm may act by sequestering p53, protein involved in the proliferation of some kinds of cancer. The literature also shows that mortalin participates in the maintenance of various diseases caused by aging, such as Parkinson\'s and Alzheimer\'s. Thus, the structural study and research of the main functions of mortalin in vivo and in vitro, and its interaction with other chaperones and co-chaperones is of great scientific importance and may provide a greater understanding of their role and cellular biochemical machinery in diseases where it is inserted. Despite being known for a long time, the expression of heterologous mortalin resulted in an insoluble form of the protein, which precludes its in vitro structural and functional studies. Thus, structural and functional information of this protein, along with its interaction with chaperones, co-chaperones and client proteins, remained unknown. By 2005, it was described co-chaperone that acts on mortalin helping its correct folding and its maintenance in the soluble fraction, this mitochondrial protein was called hHep1 (Hsp70-escort protein 1) and through its co-expression with mortalin it was possible to obtain the recombinant mortalin in its monomeric, soluble and stable. With this protein, it was possible to perform tests of structural and functional characterization of recombinant mortalin, the main focus of this doctoral work. The results suggest that mortalin behaves as a slightly elongated monomer in solution, formed by two domains with different stabilities. Functional assays showed that the dissociation constant for interaction with adenosine nucleotide of the order of 1 µM. Mortalin has ATPase activity with Vmax and KM values of 0.21 pmol ATP per min and 190 ± 20 µM, respectively. It is expected that these results provide information for further studies, such as for elucidating the mechanisms that mortalin interacts with client proteins in various cellular compartments in which it operates.

Neste trabalho foi avaliado como caranguejos Ucides cordatus, provenientes de ambientes preservados e impactados pela ação antrópica, respondem a exposição ao cádmio através da regulação da expressão da HSP70 (Heat Shock Proteins). O caranguejo de manguezal Ucides cordatus é uma espécie típica de ambiente estuarino, amplamente utilizado como recurso pesqueiro pelas comunidades locais. Vários estudos já foram desenvolvidos, tratando a maioria deles da sua dinâmica populacional ou aspectos de manejo. Por isso, a avaliação do seu estado fisiológico se faz importante para a complementação destes estudos ecológicos bem como na identificação dos impactos causados à sobrevivência desses organismos pela ação antrópica. Para avaliar a influência dos poluentes foram escolhidas duas áreas para coleta no litoral de São Paulo. Uma área impactada, Cubatão, e outra bem preservada, Juréia. Os animais foram expostos a 5mg/L de cloreto de cádmio, diluído na água dos aquários por até 24 horas, em intervalos de tempo de 30 minutos, 1, 2, 6 e 12 horas. A expressão de HSP70 foi medida no hepatopâncreas e brânquias através de imunoensaios utilizando o método ELISA. Foi observado que a sobrevivência dos organismos é influenciada pela manutenção em laboratório durante aclimatização bem como pela exposição ao cádmio, entretanto, os organismos provenientes de áreas preservadas se mostram mais responsivos ao estresse. A regulação de HSP70 foi pouco alterada em ambos os grupos e nos diferentes órgãos, não sendo considerada como um bom biomarcador para este tipo de estresse no organismo modelo utilizado / This study evaluated how the crab Ucides cordatus from impacted and preserved environments responds to cadmium exposure through the expression of HSP70 (Heat Shock Proteins). The mangrove crab Ucides cordatus is an estuarine specimen, tipically used as fishing resource by local communities. Several studies have been developed, most of them dealing with population dynamics and management aspects. Therefore, it is important to comprehend their physiological status to complement these ecological studies and to understand the impact caused by human action in the survival of these organisms. The species was collected in two different areas of São Paulo coast, polluted and conserved areas, Cubatão and Juréia, respectively. These two sites were chosen to evaluate the influence of pollutants in the organism physiology. At the laboratory the animals were exposed to 5mg/L of cadmium chloride, diluted directly in the water. After an interval of 30 minutes, 1, 2, 6 and 12 hours, HSP70 expression was measured in the hepatopancreas and gills using immunoassays through ELISA method. It was observed that the survival of the organisms was influenced by laboratory management as well as by exposure to cadmium, however, the organism from preserved areas were more responsive to stress. The regulation of HSP70 was little changed in both groups and in different organs, so maybe it should not be considered as a good biomarker for this type of stress