Hyperosmotic stress represents a major threat to cellular integrity and may lead to cell death via apoptosis. Accordingly, each cell reacts to hyperosmolarity with a set of functional and structural compensatory responses. Recently it has been shown that the mitochondria remodel during hyperosmotic stress. Although changes in mitochondrial dynamics could be crucial for both adaptation and apoptosis, hyperosmolarity-induced mitochondrial remodeling has not been characterized. We found that hyperosmotic stress translocates dynamin like protein 1 (DLP-1) to the mitochondria and induces DLP-1 mediated, F-actin-modulated, Rac-dependent fragmentation of these organelles in LLC-PK1 cells. Downregulation of DLP-1 mitigates the activation of the osmotic response element and increases the susceptibility of tubular cells to hyperosmotically-induced apoptosis, suggesting that DLP-1 (or mitochondrial fragmentation) may have a protective role during osmotic stress. The hyperosmolarity-triggered remodeling of the mitochondrion represents a hitherto unrecognized response to osmotic shock, which may have significant impact on adaptation and apoptosis.

Hyperosmotic stress represents a major threat to cellular integrity and may lead to cell death via apoptosis. Accordingly, each cell reacts to hyperosmolarity with a set of functional and structural compensatory responses. Recently it has been shown that the mitochondria remodel during hyperosmotic stress. Although changes in mitochondrial dynamics could be crucial for both adaptation and apoptosis, hyperosmolarity-induced mitochondrial remodeling has not been characterized. We found that hyperosmotic stress translocates dynamin like protein 1 (DLP-1) to the mitochondria and induces DLP-1 mediated, F-actin-modulated, Rac-dependent fragmentation of these organelles in LLC-PK1 cells. Downregulation of DLP-1 mitigates the activation of the osmotic response element and increases the susceptibility of tubular cells to hyperosmotically-induced apoptosis, suggesting that DLP-1 (or mitochondrial fragmentation) may have a protective role during osmotic stress. The hyperosmolarity-triggered remodeling of the mitochondrion represents a hitherto unrecognized response to osmotic shock, which may have significant impact on adaptation and apoptosis.

Turgor regulation is the process by which walled organisms alter their internal osmotic potential to adapt to osmotic changes in the environment. Much of what we know regarding turgor regulation and osmotic adjustment in algae is limited to the green characean and chlorphytan algae. This thesis is an investigation of turgor regulation in two species of the yellow-green xanthophycean alga, Vaucheria. The first part of this study involved the collection and identification of species of Vaucheria from contrasting habitats in New Zealand. Seven species of Vaucheria were identified based on the morphology of their reproductive structures. Two were described as new species (V. aestuarii and V. edaphica) and two others were reported for the first time from New Zealand (V. erythrospora and V. litorea). The genetic variation and phylogenetic position of these species were studied using phylogenetic analyses of rbcL sequences. Two of the species from contrasting habitats were selected for a comparative study on turgor regulation. These were Vaucheria erythrospora, isolated from an estuarine habitat, and Vaucheria repens, isolated from a freshwater habitat. Using a single cell pressure probe to directly measure turgor after hyperosmotic shock, V. erythrospora was found to recover turgor after a larger shock than V. repens. Threshold shock values for this ability were > 0.5 MPa for V. erythrospora and < 0.5 MPa for V. repens. Recovery was more rapid in V. erythrospora than V. repens after comparable shocks. Growth studies showed that V. erythrospora was able to grow and maintain turgor over a wider range of NaCl concentrations. These responses are thought to underlie the ability of V. erythrospora to survive in an estuarine habitat and restrict V. repens to freshwater. xi The final part of this study investigated the mechanisms underlying turgor regulation in V. erythrospora. Different responses were observed depending on whether NaCl or sorbitol was used to elicit the shock. Membrane potential (Em) measurements showed a rapid depolarization of the plasma membrane in response to a NaCl-induced hyperosmotic shock, followed by a slower repolarization, and recovery almost back to the resting Em. MIFE recordings indicate a net K+ efflux, a response that has been reported in other systems. While recordings of Na+ fluxes were not possible due to the high external Na+, these may account for the depolarisation and recovery of turgor as turgor recovery was inhibited by the non-selective cation channels (NSCCs) inhibitor Gd3+ and was dependant on the external Na+ concentration. An equivalent sorbitol-induced hyperosmotic shock hyperpolarized the Em, followed by depolarization and recovery back to the resting Em. Net flux recordings showed that both K+ and Na+ were taken up in response to a sorbitol shock when there was a low external Na+ concentration (1mM). K+ was possibly taken up through inward rectifying K+ channels activated by membrane hyperpolarization. The ability of V. erythrospora to rapidly regulate turgor by taking up ions during hyperosmotic stress is the possible reason for its survival in an estuarine habitat.

Orientador: Giselle Zenker Justo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T14:42:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_RodrigoAugustoda_D.pdf: 6436030 bytes, checksum: 9f8fa7c9b01f00bc5d2d2396d4099a1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A epiderme é constantemente confrontada por inúmeros agentes estressores. Variações na umidade ou exposição à radiação ultravioleta afetam o balanço osmótico e o estado redox celular alterando, assim, as características fisiológicas da pele. Em resposta aos diferentes estímulos os queratinócitos ativam vias distintas de sinalização. Portanto, o balanço entre as vias de sobrevivência e morte determina o destino celular. A fim de se determinar possíveis alvos moleculares associados a morte e sobrevivência de queratinócitos, vias de sinalização celular disparadas pela exposição ao choque hiperosmótico e estresse oxidativo foram investigadas em células HaCaT tratadas com sorbitol e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstraram que, em ambos os modelos, a redução da viabilidade celular dependeu da dose e do tempo de exposição ao agente extressor, apresentando valores de IC50 de aproximadamente 1 mol/L de sorbitol e 2 mmol/L de H2O2 após 2 e 4 h de exposição respectivamente. Os danos causados foram irreversíveis e estão associados à ativação da via intrínseca de morte celular apoptótica, acompanhada de perda da integridade da membrana lisossomal, extravasamento de catepsina B para o citosol e alterações morfológicas atípicas no citoesqueleto, principalmente no arranjo dos filamentos de actina. A investigação do status de funcionamento de proteínas quinases ativadas por mitógenos (MAPKs) e do estado redox celular indicou que esses eventos foram mediados por espécies reativas de oxigênio e pela ação da quinase c-Jun N-terminal (JNK). Adicionalmente, a exposição dos queratinócitos aos diferentes estímulos estressores foi acompanhada de ativação da proteína tirosina fosfatase de baixa massa molecular (LMWPTP), cuja relevância nos estudos de biologia celular aumentou nos últimos anos. A LMWPTP atua em importantes vias de sinalização que estão associadas à sobrevivência e morte celular. Cientificamente, este estudo é pioneiro ao demonstrar alterações no citoesqueleto e ação de proteínas quinases e fosfatases nos mecanismos que determinam o destino de queratinócitos expostos ao choque hiperosmótico e ao estresse oxidativo. De fato, o melhor conhecimento da relação entre as vias de sobrevivência e morte celular em queratinócitos é fundamental para promover o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias terapêuticas aplicadas às doenças dermatológicas. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho apresenta resultados inéditos, contribuindo no conhecimento da biologia dos queratinócitos e com sua aplicação no desenvolvimento da terapia dermatológica / Abstract: The epidermis is constantly confronted with multiple environmental stressors. Changes in humidity or exposition to UV radiation affect the redox state and osmotic balance, modifying the physiological characteristics of the skin. In response to different stresses, epidermal keratinocytes can activate distinct signaling pathways and the balance between death and life signals will determine the cell fate, leading to programmed cell death or cell survival. In order to determine the possible molecular targets associated to death and survival of keratinocytes, the signaling pathways activated by the exposition of HaCaT cells to sorbitol (hyperosmotic shock) and H2O2 (oxidative stress) were investigated. The results showed that in both models the reduction in cellular viability was time and dose-dependent, displaying IC50 values of 1 mol/L for sorbitol and 2 mmol/L for H2O2 after 2 and 4 h of exposition to the stressors, respectively. The damages caused by the stressors were irreversible and associated to the induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, accompanied by the loss of lisosomal membrane integrity, release of cathepsin B to cytosol and atypical morphological alterations in cytoskeleton, particularly in the arrangement of actin filaments. Analysis of the functional status of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the cellular redox state showed that such events were mediated by reactive oxygen species and occurred through c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Additionally, exposure of keratinocytes to the different stress inducers was followed by low molecular weight tyrosine protein phosphatase (LMWPTP) activation, which is responsible for the regulation of important signaling pathways associated to cell survival and death. It is important to highlight the novelty of these results showing alterations in the cytoskeleton and the action of protein kinases and phosphatases during exposure of keratinocytes to hyperosmotic and oxidative stresses. In fact, the development of more efficacious therapies against skin diseases depends on the establishment of the relationships between the survival and death signaling pathways in keratinocytes. In this direction, this work contributes to a better understanding of the keratinocyte biology and the improvement of traditional dermatological therapies / Doutorado / Bioquimica / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

The Rho family small GTPases are key regulators of the cytoskeleton, through which they impact and control many vital cellular functions, including growth, vesicle trafficking, intercellular junctions, transepithelial transport, migration, and gene transcription. Activation of Rho GTPases is induced by Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs). We have previously shown that Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF), plasma membrane depolarization, and immunosuppressive drugs activate RhoA through a specific exchange factor, GEF-H1. However, the question of whether other stimuli, such as hyperosmolarity, that activate RhoA, act through GEF-H1 and whether GEF-H1 activates other RhoGTPases was not known. The overall objective of this research project has been to gain insights into the complex mechanism through which the Rho GTPases, Rac and RhoA, are regulated in tubular cells. Specifically, we wished to explore the role and pathway-specific regulation of GEF-H1 in hyperosmotic stress- and TNF-induced signalling in tubular cells. In order to accomplish our goals, we optimized and used affinity precipitation assays to detect GEF-H1 activation (RhoA(G17A) and Rac(G15A)). We found that 1) GEF-H1 is activated by hyperosmotic stress and mediates the hyperosmolarity-induced RhoA activation, as well as nuclear translocation of the Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor (MRTF); 2) TNF induces activation of both Rac and RhoA through GEF-H1, but via different mechanisms. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)- and Extracellular signal Regulated Kinase (ERK)-dependent phosphorylation at the Thr678 site of GEF-H1 is a prerequisite for RhoA activation only, while both Rac and RhoA activation require GEF-H1 phosphorylation on Ser885. Interestingly, Rac is required for TNF-induced RhoA activation. Together these findings highlight a role for GEF-H1 as an osmosensitive molecule that regulates cellular reprogramming through MRTF. Importantly, we have also uncovered a novel mechanism explaining hierarchical activation of Rac and RhoA by TNF. Such a mechanism could be key in coordinating GEF function and fine-tuning Rac and RhoA activation.

The aim of the master thesis was to study the effect of the accumulation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) for bacterial resistance to selected stress factors. In the theoretical part the selected stress factors, polyhydroxyalkanoates and the involvement of polyhydroxyalkanoates into stress response of bacteria were reviewed. In the experimental part we used bacteria Cupriavidus necator H16 and its mutant strain Cupriavidus necator H16/PHB-4 unable of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation. The resistance of above-mentioned bacterial strains against thermal and osmotic stress was tested. According to the results of the experiment, when the bacteria were exposed to three different concentrations of NaCl (50, 100 and 200 g/l) PHB accumulating strain showed a higer resistance to hyperosmotic stress than the strain unable of PHB accumulation. There was demonstrated with Raman spectroscopy that in the hyperosmotic environment induced crystallization of the intracellular PHB granules. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that strain Cupriavidus necator H16/PHB-4 is subject to plasmolysis during hyperosmotic stress. As a consequence the hyperosmomotic stress occurs to the aggregation intracellular PHB granules in strain Cupriavidus necator H16 but there is no plasmolysis or is much less intensive.

No description available.

Hepatocyte transmembrane potential (Vm) behaves as an osmometer and varies with changes in extracellular osmotic pressure created by altering the NaCl concentration in the external medium (Howard, L.D. and Wondergem, R. (1987) J. Membr. Biol. 100, 53). We now have demonstrated similar effects on Vm by increasing external osmolality with added sucrose and not altering ionic strength. We also have demonstrated that hyperosmotic stress-induced depolarization of Vm results from changes in membrane K+ conductance, gK, rather than from changes in the K+ equilibrium potential. Vm and aki of hepatocytes in liver slices were measured by conventional and ion-sensitive microelectrodes, respectively. Cell water vols. were estimated by differences in wet and dry weights of liver slices after 10-min incubations. Effect of hyperosmotic medium on membrane transference number for K+, tk, was measured by effects on Vm of step-changes in external [K+]. Hepatocyte Vm decreased 34, 52 and 54% when tissue was superfused with medium made hyperosmotic with added sucrose (50, 100 and 150 mM). Correspondingly, aKi increased 10, 18 and 29% with this hyperosmotic stress of added sucrose. Tissue water of 2.92 ± 0.10 kg H2O/kg dry weight in control solution decreased to 2.60 ± 0.05, 2.25 ± 0.06 and 2.22 ± 0.05 kg H2O/kg dry weight with additions to medium of 50, 100 and 150 mM sucrose, respectively. Adding 50 mM sucrose to medium decreased tK from 0.20 ± 0.01 to 0.05 ± 0.01. Depolarization by 50% with hyperosmotic stress (100 mM sucrose) also occurred in Cl-free medium where Cl- was substituted with gluconate. We conclude that hepatocytes shrink during hyperosmotic stress, and the aKi increases. The accompanying decrease in Vm is opposite to that expected by an increase in aKi, and at least in part results from a concomitant decrease in gK. Changes in membrane Cl- conductance most likely do not contribute to osmotic stress-induced depolarization, since equivalent decreases in Vm occurred with added sucrose in cells depleted of Cl- by superfusing tissue with Cl-free medium.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-08-10T17:18:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Leandro Nascimento da Silva Rodrigues - 2014.pdf: 2636013 bytes, checksum: 332020037e85516d843bbcbfc5e4da75 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-15T13:41:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Leandro Nascimento da Silva Rodrigues - 2014.pdf: 2636013 bytes, checksum: 332020037e85516d843bbcbfc5e4da75 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-15T13:41:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Leandro Nascimento da Silva Rodrigues - 2014.pdf: 2636013 bytes, checksum: 332020037e85516d843bbcbfc5e4da75 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-11-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides is the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis with high relevance for the public health in Brazil and other Latin American countries such as Colombia and Venezuela. Generally, microorganisms require responses to stress conditions to survive in response to environmental changes and pathogenic organisms, particularly, require an effective response even higher to react against host defences. Osmotic stress has been used as a model to study signal transduction and seems to cause many cellular adaptations, which include signal transduction pathways modification, protein expression alteration and cellular volume and size regulation. In this work we have evaluated the proteomic profile of yeast cells of Paracoccidioides sp. (Pb01) obtained in osmotic stress condition. Data describe an osmoadaptative response of this fungus when subjected to this treatment. Proteins involved in the synthesis of the cell wall components were modulated, evidencing a remodelling of the cell wall. In addition, it was also observed alterations on the energy metabolism, given that proteins of the pentose phosphate pathway were abundant while proteins of the glycolysis were less abundant under osmotic stress condition. In addition changes in amino acid metabolism were also observed; more clearly the degradation of amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine and valine was induced during osmotic stress. Hereupon, our study suggests that Paracoccidioides sp. (Pb01) present a vast osmoadaptative repertoire; comprising different proteins which act complementarily and that this response could be able to minimize the effects caused by osmotic stress. / O fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioides é o agente etiológico da paracoccidioidomicose, uma micose sistêmica com grande relevância na saúde pública no Brasil e em outros países da América Latina, como Colômbia e Venezuela. Microrganismos, em geral, requerem respostas às condições de estresse para sobreviver às mudanças ambientais e patógenos, em particular, necessitam de uma resposta efetiva ainda maior para reagir às defesas do hospedeiro. O estresse osmótico é usado como um modelo para estudos de transdução de sinais e parece causar muitas adaptações celulares, as quais incluem alterações nas vias de transdução de sinais, expressão de proteínas e regulação do volume e tamanho celulares. Neste trabalho foi avaliado o perfil proteômico das células leveduriformes de Paracoccidioides sp. (Pb01) obtidas sob condições de estresse osmótico. Os dados evidenciam uma resposta osmoadaptativa deste fungo, quando submetido a este tipo de estresse. Proteínas envolvidas na biossíntese de componentes de parede celular foram moduladas, evidenciando um remodelamento de parede. Também foram observadas prováveis alterações no metabolismo de energia, tendo em vista que proteínas da via das pentoses fosfato mostraram-se abundantes, enquanto proteínas da via glicolítica mostraram-se em menor abundância frente às condições de estresse osmótico. Adicionalmente alterações no metabolismo de aminoácidos também foram observadas; de forma mais evidente a degradação de aminoácidos como leucina, valina e isoleucina foi induzida durante o estresse osmótico. Neste sentido, nosso estudo sugere que Paracoccidioides sp. (Pb01) possui um amplo repertório osmoadaptativo, composto por diferentes proteínas que atuam de maneira complementar e que devem atuar promovendo a minimização dos efeitos causados pelo estresse osmótico.