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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 1998. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (l. 140-148). Also available on the Internet.

Plusieurs maladies entraînent soit une augmentation soit une diminution du taux des acides gras (AG) et de leurs dérivés circulants, notamment les acyl-carnitines (AC). Ce changement a été soupçonné comme étant la cause de importants dérangements électriques. Nous avons montré que les AC à chaine longue (LCAC) du côté extracellulaire modulent le canal hERG de façon spécifique, modulant sa amplitude de courant et sa cinétique. Aucun AC testé n’a eu d’effet en intracellulaire. La CAR et les MCAC n’ont eu aucun effet. Les AC ne modulent pas les courants IKS et IK1. Le canal Cav1.2 est modulé par C16-CAR et le C16 dans la lignée HEK293-ICaL et dans des cardiomyocytes de rat. En condition physiologique il existe donc un lien strict entre le métabolisme énergétique et activité électrique cardiaque qui entraine une modulation permanente du canal hERG par les LCAC. La régulation par les LCAC du canal hERG et peut être celle du canal ICaL, pourraient participer au dérangement électrique à l’origine du déclenchement de troubles du rythme cardiaque retrouvé dans certaines maladies. / Several diseases can cause either an increase or a decrease in the rate of fatty acids (FAs) and their derivatives circulating, including acyl-carnitines (AC). This change is suspected as being the cause of major cardiac electrical perturbations. We have shown that long-chain AC (LCAC) modulate specifically by the extracellular side the hERG channel, regulating its current amplitude and kinetics. All AC tested had no effect when applied intracellularly. Carnitine and medium chain AC had no effect on hERG. LCAC does not modulate IK1 and IKS. Cav1.2 channel is modulated by C16 and C16-CAR in line HEK293-ICaL and rat cardiomyocytes. In physiological conditions there exists a strict link between energy metabolism and cardiac electrical activity which causes a permanent modulation of hERG channel by the LCAC. Regulation by the LCAC of the hERG channel and maybe ICaL, could participate in the electrical disturbance causing the onset of cardiac arrhythmia found in certain diseases.

L'objectif de ce travail de recherche est l'étude du transport des ions et des molécules d'eau à travers de membranes bicouche lipidique et des membranes polymériques. Dans une première partie, ce transport a été réalisé à travers des systèmes synthétiques auto-organisés, dont la sélectivité est en étroite relation avec le type d'architecture supramoléculaire formée grâce à des liaisons faibles. Le but est d'obtenir des systèmes qui peuvent imiter les fonctions de transport des protéines membranaires. Ce mimétisme fonctionnel est obtenu par l'auto-assemblage de molécules organiques contenant le cycle imidazole et la fonction urée, qui peuvent s'auto-assembler et créer des voies sélectives de transport des ions. Pour créer l'équivalent de la membrane cellulaire, nous avons utilisé des vésicules lipidiques unilamellaires. Ensuite, nous avons déterminé une relation entre l'activité des composés et leur structure. Pour ce faire, le transport des ions est étudié à l'aide d'une méthode de spectroscopie de fluorescence, et le transport d'eau par diffusion dynamique de la lumière utilisant la technique de « stopped flow ». Le but de la deuxième partie est la fabrication et la caractérisation des nouvelles membranes composites sous forme de couches minces, qui permettraient un bon compromis entre le flux d'eau et le rejet de sel. Dans ce cadre, la synthèse d'une série d'hydrazides en tant que précurseurs moléculaires a été réalisée, pour remplacer la métaphenylène diamine (MPD) classiquement utilisée. Ici aussi les liaisons hydrogène jouent un rôle important, car le principe de la séparation repose sur la création d'une organisation interne hautement réticulée. Les polymères synthétisés par polymérisation interfaciale ont été caractérisés par des méthodes de spectroscopie infrarouge, analyses thermogravimétriques et diffraction des rayons X. Les membranes composites ont été caractérisées par microscopie électronique à balayage, microscopie à force atomique et mesures d'angle de contact. Les performances membranaires ont été testées en filtration frontale d'eau et de solutions salines. / The aim of this work is the study of ion and water transport either across bilayer membranes or polymeric membranes used for reverse osmosis. In the first part, this transport through self-assembled synthetic systems was studied; the transport selectivity is in strong relation with the supramolecular structure, formed by weak intra and intermolecular bonds. Ion transport is studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and water transport is studied by light scattering using “stopped flow” technique. The objective is to obtain systems that could imitate transport functions of biomolecules as transmembrane proteins. This functional mimicry is achieved through self-assembly of organic molecules containing imidazole cycle and urea function that can self-assembly and form selective pathways for ion transport. To create the equivalent of the cell membrane, we used unilamellar lipid vesicles. Then, we determined a structure - transport activity relationship for a series of synthesized compounds. For the second part of this work we described the fabrication and the characterization of new thin film composite membranes for water desalination that can present a good balance between permeability and salt rejection. A series of hydrazides as molecular precursors was synthesized in order to replace the metaphenylene diamine (MPD), classically used. Again, hydrogen bonds play an important role, because the rejection is due to a high cross-linking. The polymers synthesized by interfacial polymerization were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-Ray diffraction. The membrane films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. Membrane performances were then tested in cross-flow filtration of water and saline solutions.

Intricate interactions among constituent components are defining hallmarks of biological systems and sculpt physiology across different scales spanning gene networks to behavioural repertoires. Whereas interactions among channels and receptors define neuronal physiology, interactions among different cells specify the characteristic features of network physiology. From a single-neuron perspective, it is now evident that the somato-dendritic plasma membrane of hippocampus pyramidal neurons is endowed with several voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) with varying biophysical properties and sub cellular expression profiles. Structural and physiological interactions among these channels define generation and propagation of electrical signals, thereby transforming neuronal dendrites to actively excitable membrane endowed with complex computational capabilities. In parallel to this complex network of plasma membrane channels is an elegantly placed continuous intraneuronal membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that runs throughout the neuronal morphology. Akin to the plasma membrane, the ER is also endowed with a variety of channels and receptors, prominent among them being the inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors (InsP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyR), both of which are calcium release channels. Physiological interactions among these receptors transform the ER into a calcium excitable membrane, capable of active propagation of calcium waves and of spatiotemporal integration of neuronal signals. Thus, a neuron is endowed with two continuously parallel excitable membranes that actively participate in the bidirectional flow of intraneuronal information, through interactions among different channels and receptors on either membrane. Although the interactions among sets of channels and receptors present individually on either membrane are very well characterized, our understanding of cross-membrane interactions among channels and receptors across these two membranes has been very limited. Recent literature has emphasized the critical nature of such cross-membrane interactions and the several physiological roles played by such interactions. Such cross-channel interactions include ER depletion-induced signaling involving store-operated calcium channels, generation and propagation of calcium waves through interactions between plasma membrane and ER membrane receptors, and the plasticity of plasma membrane VGICs and receptors induced by ER Ca2+. Such tight interactions between these two membranes have highlighted several roles of the ER in the integration of intraneuronal information, in regulating signalling microdomains and in regulating the downstream signaling pathways that are regulated by these Ca2+ signals. Yet, our understanding about the functional interactions between the ion channels and receptors present on either of these membranes is very limited from the perspective of the combinatorial possibilities that encompass the span of channels and receptors across these two membranes. In this context, the first part of this thesis deals with two specific instances of such cross-membrane functional interactions, presented as two subparts with each probing different direction of impact. Specifically, whereas the first of these subparts deals with the impact of plasma membrane VGICs on the physiology of ER receptors, the second subpart presents an instance of the effect of ER receptor activation on plasma membrane VGIC. In the first subpart of the thesis, we establish a novel role for the A-type potassium current in regulating the release of calcium through inositol triphosphate receptors (InsP3R) that reside on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of hippocampus pyramidal neurons. Specifically, the A-type potassium current has been implicated in the regulation of several physiological processes including the regulation of calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Given the dependence of InsP3R open probability on cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) we asked if this regulation of calcium influx by A-type potassium current could translate into the regulation of release of calcium through InsP3Rs by the A-type potassium current. To answer this, we constructed morphologically realistic, conductance-based neuronal models equipped with kinetic schemes that govern several calcium signalling modules and pathways, and constrained the distributions and properties of constitutive components by experimental measurements from these neurons. Employing these models, we establish a bell-shaped dependence of calcium release through InsP3Rs on the density of A-type potassium current, during the propagation of an intraneuronal calcium wave initiated through established protocols. Exploring the sensitivities of calcium wave initiation and propagation to several underlying parameters, we found that ER calcium release critically depends on dendrite diameter and wave initiation occurred at branch points as a consequence of high surface area to volume ratio of oblique dendrites. Further, analogous to the role of A-type potassium channels in regulating spike latency, we found that an increase in the density of A-type potassium channels led to increases in the latency and the temporal spread of a propagating calcium wave. Next, we incorporated kinetic models for the metabotropic glutamate receptor (miler) signalling components and a calcium-controlled plasticity rule into our model and demonstrate that the presence of mGluRs induced a leftward shift in a BCM-like synaptic plasticity profile. Finally, we show that the A-type potassium current could regulate the relative contribution of ER calcium to synaptic plasticity induced either through 900 pulses of various stimulus frequencies or through theta burst stimulation. These results establish a novel form of interaction between active dendrites and the ER membrane and suggest that A-type K+ channels are ideally placed for inhibiting the suppression of InsP3Rs in thin-caliber dendrites. Furthermore, they uncover a powerful mechanism that could regulate biophysical/biochemical signal integration and steer the spatiotemporal spread of signalling micro domains through changes in dendritic excitability. In the second subpart, we turned our focus to the role of calcium released through InsP3Rs in regulating the properties of VGICs present on the plasma membrane, thereby altering neuronal intrinsic properties that are dependent on these VGICs. Specifically, the synaptic plasticity literature has focused on establishing necessity and sufficiency as two essential and distinct features in causally relating a signalling molecule to plasticity induction, an approach that has been surprisingly lacking in the intrinsic plasticity literature. Here, we complemented the recently established necessity of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors (InsP3R) in a form of intrinsic plasticity by asking if ER InsP3R activation was sufficient to induce plasticity in intrinsic properties of hippocampus neurons. To do this, we employed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to infuse D-myo-InsP3, the endogenous ligand for InsP3Rs, into hippocampus pyramidal neurons and assessed the impact of InsP3R activation on neuronal intrinsic properties. We found that such activation reduced input resistance, maximal impedance amplitude and temporal summation, but increased resonance frequency, resonance strength, sag ratio, and impedance phase lead of hippocampus pyramidal neurons. Strikingly, the magnitude of plasticity in all these measurements was dependent upon [InsP3], emphasizing the graded dependence of such plasticity on InsP3R activation. Mechanistically, we found that this InsP3-induced plasticity depended on hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide gated (HCN) channels. Moreover, this calcium-dependent form of plasticity was critically reliant on the release of calcium through InsP3Rs, the influx of calcium through N-methyl-D -aspartate receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels, and on the protein kinase A pathway. These results delineate a causal role for InsP3Rs in graded adaptation of neuronal response dynamics through changes in plasma membrane ion channels, thereby revealing novel regulatory roles for the endoplasmic reticulum in neural coding and homeostasis. Whereas the first part of the thesis dealt with bidirectional interactions between ER membrane and plasma membrane channels/receptors within a neuron, second part focuses on cross-cellular interactions, specifically between ER membrane on astrocytes and dendritic plasma membrane of neurons. Specifically, the universality of ER-dependent calcium signalling ensures that its critical influence extends to regulating the physiology of astrocytes, an abundant form of glial cells in the hippocampus. Due to the presence of calcium release channels on ER membrane, astrocytes are calcium excitable, whereby they respond to neuronal activity by increase in their cytosolic calcium levels. Specifically, astrocytes respond to the release of neurotransmitters from neuronal presynaptic terminals through activation of metabotropic receptors expressed on their plasma membrane. Such activation results in the mobilization of cytosolic InsP3 and subsequent release of calcium through InsP3 on the astrocytes ER membrane. These ER-dependent [Ca2+]c elevations in astrocytes then result in the release of gliotransmitters from astrocytes, which bind to corresponding receptors located on neuronal plasma membrane resulting in voltage-deflections and/or activation of signaling pathways in the neuron. Although it is well established that gliotransmission constitutes an important communication channel between astrocytes and neurons, the impact of gliotransmission on neurons have largely been centered at the cell body of the neurons. Consequently, the impact of the activation of astrocytic InsP3R on neuronal dendrites, and the role of dendritic active conductances in regulating this impact have been lacking. This lacuna in mapping the spatial spread of gliotransmission in neurons is especially striking because most afferent synapses impinge on neuronal dendrites, and a significant proportion of information processing in neurons is performed in their dendritic arborization. Additionally, given that active dendritic conductances play a pivotal role in regulating the impact of fast synaptic neurotransmission on neurons, we hypothesized that such active-dendritic regulation should extend to the impact of slower extrasynaptic gliotransmission on neurons. The second part of the thesis is devoted to testing this hypothesis using dendritic and paired astrocyte-neuron electrophysiological recordings, where we also investigate the specific roles of active dendritic conductances in regulating the impact of gliotransmission initiated through activation of astrocytic InsP3Rs. In testing this hypothesis, in the second part of the thesis, we first demonstrate a significantly large increase in the amplitude of astrocytically originating spontaneous slow excitatory potentials (SEP) in distal dendrites compared to their perisomatic counterparts. Employing specific neuronal infusion of pharmacological agents, we show that blocking HCN channels increased the frequency, rise-time and width of dendritically-recorded spontaneous SEPs, whereas blockade of A-type potassium channels enhanced their amplitude. Next, through paired neuron-astrocytes recordings, we show that our conclusions on the differential roles of HCN and A-type potassium channels in modulating spontaneous SEPs also extended to SEPs induced through infusion of InsP3 in a nearby astrocyte. Additionally, employing subtype-specific receptor blockers during paired neuron-astrocyte recordings, we provide evidence that GluN2B-and GluN2D-containing NMDARs predominantly mediate perisomatic and dendritic SEPs, respectively. Finally, using morphologically realistic conductance-based computational models, we quantitatively demonstrate that dendritic conductances play an active role in mediating compartmentalization of the neuronal impact of gliotransmission. These results unveil an important role for active dendrites in regulating the impact of gliotransmission on neurons, and suggest astrocytes as a source of dendritic plateau potentials that have been implicated in localized plasticity and place cell formation. This thesis is organized into six chapters as follows: Chapter 1 lays the motivations for the questions addressed in the thesis apart from providing the highlights of the results presented here. Chapter 2 provides the background literature for the thesis, introducing facts and concepts that forms the foundation on which the rest of the chapters are built upon. In chapter 3, we present quantitative analyses of the physiological interactions between A-type potassium conductances and InsP3Rs in CA1 pyramidal neurons. In chapter 4, using electrophysiological recordings, we investigate the role of calcium released through InsP3Rs in induction of plasticity of intrinsic response dynamics, and demonstrate that this form of plasticity is consequent to changes in neuronal HCN channels. In chapter 5, we systematically map the spatial dynamics of the impact of gliotransmission on neurons across the somato-apical trunk, also unveiling the role of neuronal HCN and A-type potassium channels in compartmentalizing such impact. Finally, chapter 6 concludes the thesis highlighting its major contributions and discussing directions of future research.

Les Récepteurs Couplés à un Canal Ionique (ICCRs) sont des canaux ioniques artificielscréés par fusion d'un Récepteur Couplé aux Protéines G (RCPG) au canal ionique Kir6.2. Dansce concept, le canal agit comme un rapporteur direct des changements conformationnels desRCPGs permettant de détecter par simple mesure de courant, la fixation d'agonistes etd'antagonistes proportionnellement à leur concentration.Le signal induit étant directement corrélé à l'activité du récepteur, indépendamment desvoies de signalisation des protéines G, nous avons exploité cet avantage pour étendre le champd'applications des ICCRs au cours de cette thèse. Nous avons développé quatre applications quisont: 1) la caractérisation fonctionnelle des RCPG optimisés pour la cristallisation par insertionde domaine du lysozyme du phage T4 dans la boucle ICL3; 2) la détection de la dépendance desRCPGs au cholestérol; 3) la détection de ligands dits "biaisés" pour faciliter leur criblage; et 4) lacartographie fonctionnelle des portes du canal Kir6.2 régulées par des protéines membranairesinteragissant par le domaine N-terminal. / Ion Channel-Coupled Receptors (ICCRs) are artificial ion channels created by the fusion of a Gprotein-coupled receptor to a Kir6.2 channel. In this concept, the channel acts a direct reporter ofthe conformational changes of the GPCRs, allowing the detection by simple current recordingsof agonists and antagonists binding in concentration-dependent manner.The signal being directly correlated to the receptor activity, independently of G protein signallingpathways, we exploited this advantage to extend the field of applications of ICCRs during thisthesis. We developed 4 applications: 1) the functional characterization of the optimized GPCRsfor crystallization by insertion of the T4 phage lysozyme domain in the ICL3 loop; 2) thedetection of a cholesterol-dependence of the GPCRs; 3) the detection of the so-called "biasedligands" to simplify their screening; and 4) the functional mapping of the Kir6.2 channel gatesunder control of membrane proteins interaction with the N-terminus domain.

Submitted by Clebson Anjos (clebson.leandro54@gmail.com) on 2016-03-30T17:14:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2235188 bytes, checksum: a2603a546030491976e0045d622aff17 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-30T17:14:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2235188 bytes, checksum: a2603a546030491976e0045d622aff17 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-11 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke (Fabaceae) is a typical tree of Caatinga, popularly known as “jurema-branca”, “jurema-malícia-da-serra”, “carcará” and “calumbi” and is popularly used as heling agent and antiinflamatory. From its aerial parts was isolated the flavonoid 4’,5,7-triidroxi-3,6-dimetoxiflavona (FGAL) that, in previous studies, inhibited both CCh- and histamine-induced phasic contractions on guinea pig ileum. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize its relaxant mechanism of action. Isotonic and isometric contractions were recorded to determine and compare the relative efficacy and potency. The myocites viability was measured by the MTT assay, and the cytosolic Ca2+ levels by the analysis of fluorescence of fluo-4. The flavonoid relaxed the ileum pre-contracted with KCl 40 mM (EC50 = 2.6 ± 0.5 x 10-6 M) or CCh 10-5 M (EC50 = 1.8 ± 0.4 x 10-6 M), being more potent when the ileum was pre-contracted with histamine 10-6 M (EC50 = 1.9 ± 0.4 x 10-7 M). In addition, the flavonoid righward shifted the cumulative concentration-response curves of histamine in a non-parallel manner, with maximum effect (Emax) reduction, presenting a profile of non-competitive pseudoirreversible antagonism. To verify if FGAL would inhibit the Ca2+ influx through the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (CaV), cumulative concentration-response curves of CaCl2 in depolarizing medium (70 mM KCl) nominally without Ca2+ were obtained in both the absence (control) and presence of different concentrations of FGAL. The flavonoid righward shifted the CaCl2 contraction curves in a non-parallel manner, with Emax reduction. Moreover, FGAL relaxed the pre-contracted ileum with S-(-)-Bay K8644 (3 x 10-7 M), a CaV1 agonist, but with lower potency than with KCl or histamine, indicating an indirect blockade of these channels. Then, in order to verify whether FGAL would be positivelly modulating the K+ channels to, indirectally, block the CaV1, it was employed CsCl, a non-selective K+ channels blocker. The relaxant potency of FGAL was attenauted in the presence of CsCl (EC50 = 1.1 ± 0.3 x 10-6 M) suggesting the involvement of these channels on this relaxant effect. In contrast, the relaxant potency of FGAL was not modified in the presence of apamin, SKCa blocker (EC50 = 1.6 ± 0.3 x 10-7 M), or TEA+ 1 mM, BKCa blocker (EC50 = 2.0 ± 1.0 x 10-7 M), discarding the participation of these subtypes of K+ channels. However, in the presence of 4-AP, KV blocker (EC50 = 1.8 ± 0.2 x 10-6 M), and glibenclamide, KATP blocker (EC50 = 1.5 ± 0.5 x 10-6 M), the relaxant potency of FGAL was attenuated about 10 and 8 times, respectively, confirming that FGAL positivelly modulates these subtypes of K+ channels to relax the guinea pig ileum. In the cellular experiments, the viability of intestinal myocytes was not altered in the presence of FGAL (10-4 M). Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity emmited by fluo-4 of myocytes stimulated with histamine was attenuated by FGAL as a result of [Ca2+]c reduction. Therefore, the relaxant mechanism of action of FGAL on guinea pig ileum involves the positive modulation of KV and KATP, which, indirectly, reduces the Ca2+ influx through CaV1, leading to the reduction of the cytosolic levels of this ion. / Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke (Fabaceae) é uma árvore típica da Caatinga, conhecida popularmente como “jurema-branca”, “jurema-malícia-da-serra”, “carcará” e “calumbi” e é popularmente utilizada como cicatrizante e anti-inflamatório. De suas partes aéreas foi isolado o flavonoide 4’,5,7-triidroxi-3,6-dimetoxiflavona (FGAL) que, em estudos anteriores, inibiu as contrações fásicas induzidas por carbacol (CCh) ou por histamina em íleo de cobaia. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar seu mecanismo de ação relaxante. As contrações isotônicas e isométricas foram monitoradas para determinar e comparar a eficácia e a potência relativas. A viabilidade dos miócitos do íleo foi medida utilizando o ensaio de MTT, e os níveis de Ca2+ citosólicos por meio da análise de fluorescência do fluo-4. FGAL relaxou o íleo pré-contraído com 40 mM de KCl (CE50 = 2,6 ± 0,5 x 10-6 M) ou com 10-5 M de CCh (CE50 = 1,8 ± 0,4 x 10-6 M), sendo mais potente quando o íleo foi pré-contraído com 10-6 M de histamina (CE50 = 1,9 ± 0,4 x 10-7 M). Além disso, o flavonoide deslocou para a direita as curvas concentração-resposta da histamina, de maneira não paralela com redução do efeito máximo (Emax), apresentando um perfil de antagonismo não competitivo pseudoirreversível. Para verificar se FGAL inibiria o influxo de Ca2+ pelos canais de cálcio dependentes de voltagem (CaV), foram obtidas curvas concentração-resposta cumulativas ao CaCl2 em meio despolarizante (KCl 70 mM) nominalmente sem Ca2+ na ausência (controle) e na presença de diferentes concentrações de FGAL. O flavonoide deslocou as curvas de contração do CaCl2 para a direita de maneira não paralela com redução do seu Emax. Além disso, FGAL relaxou o íleo pré-contraído com 3 x 10-7 M de S-(-)-Bay K8644, agonista dos CaV1, porém com menor potência do que com KCl ou histamina, indicando um bloqueio indireto desses canais. Assim, para verificar se FGAL modularia positivamente os canais de K+ para, indiretamente, bloquear os CaV1, utilizou-se o CsCl, bloqueador não seletivo dos canais de K+. FGAL teve sua potência relaxante atenuada na presença desse bloqueador (CE50 = 1,1 ± 0,3 x 10-6 M), sugerindo a participação desses canais no seu efeito relaxante. Diferentemente, a potência relaxante de FGAL não foi alterada na presença de apamina, bloqueador dos SKCa (CE50 = 1,6 ± 0,3 x 10-7 M), ou de TEA+ 1 mM, bloqueador dos BKCa (CE50 = 2,0 ± 1,0 x 10-7 M), descartando-se a participação desses subtipos de canais de K+. No entanto, na presença de 4-AP, bloqueador dos KV (CE50 = 1,8 ± 0,2 x 10-6 M), e de glibenclamida, bloqueador dos KATP (CE50 = 1,5 ± 0,5 x 10-6 M), a potência relaxante de FGAL foi atenuada cerca de 10 e 8 vezes, respectivamente, confirmando que FGAL modula positivamente esses subtipos de canais de K+ para relaxar o íleo de cobaia. Nos experimentos celulares, a viabilidade dos miócitos intestinais não foi alterada na presença de FGAL (10-4 M). Além disso, a intensidade de fluorescência emitida pelo fluo-4 complexado ao Ca2+ dos miócitos estimulados com histamina foi atenuada por FGAL, indicando que o flavonoide reduz a [Ca2+]c. Assim, o mecanismo de ação relaxante de FGAL em íleo de cobaia envolve a modulação positiva dos KV e dos KATP, o que, indiretamente, reduz o influxo de Ca2+ pelos CaV1, levando à redução dos níveis citosólicos desse íon.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The geraniol (C10H18O) is an acyclic monoterpene alcohol, present in the essential oil of some medicinal plants, herbs and citrus fruits, especially species of the genus Cymbopogon. Were described biochemical and pharmacological properties such as anticonvulsant action, analgesic, antinflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. In this study we sought to characterize the effects produced by geraniol on contractility, electrical activity and its possible antiarrhythmic potential in mammalian heart. For this, we used guinea-pig (Cavia porcellus) and mice (Mus musculus) of C57Bl/6J strain. The contractile studies were performed in the left atria drawn 1GF and stimulated with pulses of suprathreshold current, maintained in Cuba for isolated organ submerged in modified Tyrode solution (8 mL) and aerated with carbogenic mixture (95% O2 and 5% CO2). The force of atrial contraction was recorded by an isometric transducer. Electrocardiographic recordings were performed on isolated heart under constant aortic perfusion flow (8 mL/min) in a Langendorff system. To study the effects of geraniol on current membrane, experiments were performed using the technique of patch-clamp in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes setup whole-cell. In the atrium, geraniol reduced the force of contraction (~ 98%, EC50 = 1510 ± 160 M) whereas nifedipine, used as positive control, showed a EC50 of 0.90 ± 0.66 M. Geraniol, at 3 mM, decreased the positive inotropism of both CaCl2 and BAY K8644. In ventricular cardiomyocytes, the ICa,L was reduced by 50.7% (n = 5, p < 0.0001) after perfusion with 300 M of geraniol. Furthermore, geraniol prolonged the action potential duration (APD) measured at 50% of repolarization (49.7%, n = 5, p < 0.05), without changing the resting potential. The increase in APD can be attributed to blockade of K+ channel transient outward (Ito) (59.7%, n = 4, p < 0.001), the K+ current non-inactivated (Iss) (39.2 %, n = 4, p < 0.05) and K+ current to inward rectifier (Ik1) (33.7%, n = 4, p < 0.0001). In isolated heart, geraniol increased PRi and QTi without affecting the QRS (n = 6) complex, and reduced both left ventricular pressure (83%) and heart rate (16.5%). Furthermore, geraniol delayed time for the start of ouabain-induced arrhythmias in 128%, preventing in 30% the increase of diastolic tension, however, without affect the positive inotropic effect induced by ouabain (n = 6). Geraniol exerts negative inotropic and chronotropic responses in the mammalian heart by decreasing the L-type Ca2+ current and prolongs the duration of ventricular action potential by reducing potassium currents voltage-dependent. Such effects may be responsible for the antiarrhythmic effect of geraniol front the arrhythmias induced by ouabain in vitro. / O geraniol (C10H18O) é um monoterpeno alcoólico acíclico, presente no óleo essencial de algumas plantas medicinais, frutas cítricas e ervas aromáticas, principalmente espécies do gênero Cymbopogon. São descritas propriedades bioquímicas e farmacológicas, tais como ação anticonvulsivante, analgésica, anti-inflamatória, antioxidante, anticancerígena e antimicrobiana. Neste trabalho buscou-se caracterizar os efeitos produzidos pelo geraniol sobre a contratilidade, atividade elétrica e seu possível potencial antiarrítmico em coração de mamífero. Para tanto, foram utilizados cobaia (Cavia porcellus) e camundongos (Mus musculus) da linhagem C57Bl/6J. Os estudos contráteis foram realizados em átrio esquerdo estirado a 1gf e estimulados com pulsos de corrente supralimiares, mantido em cuba para órgão isolado, submerso em solução de Tyrode modificada (8 mL) e aerado com mistura carbogênica (95 % O2 e 5 % CO2). A força de contração atrial foi captada por um transdutor isométrico. Os registros eletrocardiográficos foram realizados em coração isolado, sob perfusão aórtica de fluxo constante (8 mL/min), em sistema de Langendorff. Para estudar os efeitos do geraniol sobre as correntes de membrana, foram executados experimentos através da técnica de patch-clamp , na configuração whole-cell , em cardiomiócitos ventriculares de camundongo. No átrio, o geraniol reduziu a força de contração (~ 98%, EC50 = 1510 ± 160 M) enquanto que a nifedipina, usada como controle positivo, apresentou uma EC50 de 0,90 ± 0,66 M. O geraniol, na concentração de 3 mM, diminuiu o inotropismo positivo de ambos CaCl2 e BAY K8644. Em cardiomiócito ventricular, a ICa,L foi reduzida em 50,7% (n = 5, p < 0,0001), após a perfusão com 300 μM de geraniol. Além disso, o geraniol prolongou a duração do potencial de ação (DPA), medida a 50 % da repolarização (49,7%, n = 5, p < 0,05), sem alterar o potencial de repouso. O aumento da DPA pode ser atribuído ao bloqueio dos canais para K+ transient-outward (Ito) (59,7 %, n = 4, p < 0,001), canal de K+ não-inativado (Iss) (39,2 %, n = 4, p < 0,05) e do canal para K+ inward rectifier (IK1) (33,7% , n = 4, p < 0,0001). Em coração isolado (n = 6), o geraniol aumentou o PRi e QTi sem afetar a duração do complexo QRS, reduzindo a pressão ventricular esquerda (83%) e a frequência cardíaca (16,5%). Além disso, o geraniol retardou o tempo para o início das arritmias induzidas por ouabaína em 128%, evitando em 30% o aumento da tensão diastólica sem, contudo, afetar o efeito inotrópico positivo da ouabaína (n = 6). O geraniol exerce respostas inotrópicas e cronotrópicas negativas no coração de mamífero, por meio da diminuição das correntes para Ca2+ tipo-L e, prolonga a duração do potencial de ação ventricular por reduzir as correntes para K+ dependentes de voltagem. Tais efeitos podem ser responsáveis pelo efeito antiarrítmico do geraniol frente às arritmias induzidas por ouabaína in vitro .

Os escorpiões são um dos grupos de animais mais antigos da Terra. Eles são artrópodes e pertecem a classe Arachinida e Ordem Scorpionida. A família Buthidae compreende as espécies responsáveis pelos acidentes graves em humanos, incluindo a espécie Tityus serrulatus, o maior responsável por esses acidentes no Brasil. A peçonha do T. serrulatus contém diversas neurotoxinas que agem especificamente em canais para sódio, potássio e cálcio da membrana plasmática de células excitáveis, causando massiva liberação de neurotransmissores.As toxinas escorpiônicas podem ser usadas como ferramentas nos estudos de estrutura e função desses canais iônicos sensíveis a voltagem e também no estudo de liberação e captação de neurotransmissores. As toxinas escôrpionicas específicas para canais para sódio sensíveis a voltagem são as principais responsáveis pelos efeitos do envenenamento por estes artrópodes e podem ser classificadas em duas classes: toxinas e . As -toxinas retardam a inativação desses canais induzindo assim um prolongamento na fase de repolarização do potencial de ação. As - toxinas alteram a dependência de voltagem de ativação dos canais para sódio para potenciais mais negativos provocando potenciais de ação espontâneos e repetitivos. As toxinas específicas para canais para potássio (KTx) são geralmente peptídeos pequenos e de caráter básico, formados por 23-43 aminoácidos estabilizados por 3-4 pontes dissulfeto. As KTx são classificadas em 4 subfamílias:, , , . Neste trabalho, uma nova neurotoxina do escorpião T. serrulatus foi isolada e caracterizada bioquímica e funcionalmente. A toxina foi testada em ampla variedade de canais incluindo 5 subtipos de canais para sódio (Nav1.4; Nav1.5; Nav1.6; Nav1.8 e DmNav1) e 12 diferentes tipos de canais para potássio (Kv1.1 a Kv1.6; Kv2.1; Kv3.1; Kv4.2; Kv4.3; Shaker IR e hERG). A peçonha bruta solúvel foi fracionada em cromatografia de troca iônica em coluna CM-Celulose-52 (2,5 cm x 63 cm), previamente equilibrada e eluída com tampão NH4HCO3 (pH 7,8). Essa primeira etapa cromatográfica permitiu a separação de 13 frações nomeadas de I XIII. A fração X foi submetida à cromatografia de fase reversa em sistema de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em que a toxina pura Ts15 pode ser obtida. Seu sequenciamento amino-terminal demonstrou que esse peptídeo possui 36 resíduos de aminoácidos estabilizados por 3 pontes dissulfeto. A massa molecular obtida por espectrometria de massa foi de 3956 e o pI predito pelo programa ProtParam foi de 8,86, no entanto, o pI determinado por focalização isolelétrica foi maior que 9,3. Os experimentos de eletrofisiologia utilizando as técnicas patch clamp e two microelectrode voltage clamp mostraram que a toxina Ts15 bloqueia preferencialmente os subtipos de canais para potássio Kv1.2 e Kv1.3 com IC50 de 196 ± 25 nM e 508± 67 nM respectivamente. Os ensaios de captação de neurotransmissores em sinaptosomas de cérebro de rato foram realizados adicionando 3H-GABA e 3H-Glu na presença e ausência de diferentes concentrações da toxina Ts15. Não foram observados efeitos nos canais para sódio em todas as concentrações testadas assim como na captação do GABA. Porém, foi observado aumento significante na captação do glutamato em todas as concentrações testadas, provavelmente como resultado de efeito secundário da ação da Ts15 em canais para potássio sensível a voltagem. Em conclusão, a Ts15 pode ser considerada um autêntico novo tipo de toxina escorpiônica, com afinidade para canais para potássio Kv1.2 e Kv1.3 e capaz de aumentar a captação de glutamato. Essa toxina é o único membro da nova subfamília -Ktx21 e portanto nomeada -Ktx21.1 / Scorpions are one of the most ancient groups of animals on earth. They are arthropods and belong to the class Arachinida and Order Scorpionida. The Buthidae family comprises the species that are really dangerous for human, including Tityus serrulatus that is responsible for most severe accidents in Brazil. T. serrulatus venom contains several neurotoxins that specifically act on sodium, potassium or calcium channels in excitable membranes, causing a massive release of neurotransmitters and leading to the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system. Since ion channels play important roles in many physiological processes, scorpion toxins have been used as tools for studies of the neurophysiological mechanisms involving voltage-gated ion channels and neurotransmitter release/uptake. Voltage-gated Na+ channel (Nav channel) toxins are mainly responsible of the harmful effects of scorpion venom and can be classified into two classes: and -neurotoxins. The -toxins retard Nav channel inactivation and induce a prolongation of the repolarization phase of the action potential. The -toxins shift the voltage dependence of Nav channel activation to more negative potentials that result in an increased tendency of the cell to fire spontaneously and repetitively. Voltage-gated potassium channel toxins (KTxs) are basic short chain peptides comprising 23-43 amino acid residues that can be cross-linked by 3 or 4 disulfide bridges. KTxs are classified into four large families: , , and . These peptides display varying selectivity and affinity for different Kv channel subtypes. In this work, a novel toxin from the T. serrulatus venom was isolated, biochemistry and pharmacologically characterized using a wide electrophysiological screening on 5 different subtypes of Nav channels (Nav1.4; Nav1.5; Nav1.6; Nav1.8 and DmNav1) and 12 different subtypes of Kv channels (Kv1.1 - Kv1.6; Kv2.1; Kv3.1; Kv4.2; Kv4.3; Shaker IR and hERG). The crude soluble T. serrulatus venom was fractionated by ion exchange chromatography on a CM-cellulose-52 column (2.5 cm x 63.0 cm), which was equilibrated and eluted with NH4HCO3 buffer (pH 7.8). This chromatography allowed the separation of 13 fractions which were named I to XIII. Fraction X was submitted to a reverse-phase C18 (0.46 cm x 25 cm) high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the pure toxin, Ts15, could be obtained. The amino acid sequence of this novel peptide showed that it contains 36 amino acids and is cross-linked by 3 disulfide bridges. The molecular mass of Ts15 (3956) was obtained by electrospray (ESI) triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry and its pI value (8,86) was predicted by ProtParam program. However, the pI determined by isoeletric focusing was greater than 9,3. Electrophysiological experiments using patch clamp and the two electrode voltage clamp technique, showed that Ts15 preferentially blocks Kv1.2 and Kv1.3 channels with IC50 value of 196 ± 25 and 508 ± 67 nM, respectively. Uptake assays were performed by adding 3H-GABA and 3H-Glu, in the absence (controls) or presence of different concentrations of Ts15, on isolated rat brain synaptosomes. No effect on Nav channels was observed, in all tested concentrations, as well as for GABA uptake. However, Ts15 induced a significant increase of the glutamate uptake, probably as a secondary effect of its action on Kv channels. In conclusion, Ts15 can be considered a bonafide novel type of scorpion toxin that presents high affinity by Kv1.2 and Kv1.3 channels and was able to increase the glutamate uptake. It is the unique member of the new -Ktx21 subfamily and therefore was named -Ktx21.1

Abstract Excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) is a process linking the electrical excitation of the muscle cell (myocyte) membrane to the contraction of the cell. In this study the possibilities of mathematical modeling were studied in current ECC research. Mathematical modeling was employed in two distinct ECC research areas, the enzymatic regulation of ECC and ECC during cardiac myocyte development. Despite the distinction, both of these are extremely complex biological systems characterized by diverse and partly contradictory reported experimental results, with a large part based on genetically engineered animal models. Novel mathematical models were developed for both of these research areas. The model of ventricular myocyte ECC with calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)-mediated regulation faithfully reproduced the heart-rate dependent regulation of ECC. This regulation is thought to be the major effect of CaMKII-mediated regulation. The model of the embryonic ventricular myocyte provided the first comprehensive system analysis of how the embryonic heartbeat is generated at the cellular level. A similar type of model was also developed to show the notable differences between neonatal and adult ventricular myocyte ECC. The mathematical models of ECC presented in this study were further used to simulate ECC in genetically engineered myocytes. The cellular mechanisms of genetically engineered animal models could be better understood by employing mathematical modeling in parallel to experimental characterization of the animal model. It was found in simulations that the indirect consequences and the compensatory mechanisms induced by genetic modification may have a more significant effect on ECC than the direct consequences of the modification. To understand the overwhelming complexity of biological systems including ECC, competent system analysis tools, such as mathematical modeling, are required. The purpose of mathematical modeling is not to replace the experimental studies, but to provide a more comprehensive system analysis based on the experimental data. This system analysis will help in planning subsequent experiments needed to gain the most relevant information about the studied biological system.