京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第20665号 / 医博第4275号 / 新制||医||1024(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 羽賀 博典, 教授 横出 正之, 教授 瀬原 淳子 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Stress plays a significant role in neural development and brain function. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the impact of stress on brain development and neuroendocrine function, this study focuses on the phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (Pnmt) enzyme as a key mediator of stress hormone signaling. Pnmt is activated as part of a positive feedback mechanism during stress to convert norepinephrine to epinephrine and amplify the sympathetic response. Most of our knowledge about Pnmt is derived from its role in the systemic production of epinephrine from adrenal chromaffin cells, but it is also known to be expressed in the central nervous system, including the brainstem, retina, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. Given the importance of the central nervous system in modulating stress responses, this project sought to investigate cellular Pnmt expression in the central nervous system using a genetic-marking strategy with a Pnmt-Cre-recombinase knock-in driver strain (Pnmt+/Cre) and a β-galactosidase (βGal) reporter strain (R26R+/βGal) in parallel with Pnmt-specific immunofluorescent histochemical staining to identify Pnmt+ cells in the adult mouse cerebellum, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex. The results show extensive patterns of active and historical Pnmt protein expression throughout the cerebellum and hypothalamus, with significant neuropeptide Y co-expression in the hypothalamus and considerable historical Pnmt expression throughout the cerebral cortex. To quantify baseline Pnmt mRNA levels across embryonic and postnatal neural development and elucidate differential Pnmt isoform expression through tissue-specific regulation in the developing brain, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed in the brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex with isoform-specific primers. Initial results show a developmental, tissue-specific Pnmt isoform shift between embryonic and postnatal neural development by an intron-retention alternative splicing mechanism. Ultimately, these findings provide an anatomical "blueprint" for investigating the role of central nervous system Pnmt expression in health and disease, and emphasize the role of Pnmt in early neural development, illustrating how stress impacts the formation of neural connections during formative periods of brain maturation.

Runx1/AML1 transcription factor expression in hematopoietic cell lineages is differentially regulated via usage of two distinct promoters. The 5' UTR and a 19 amino acid encoding sequence transcribed from the distal promoter is inserted via alternative splicing into the 5' end of the mRNA transcript, replacing the 5' UTR and a 5 amino acid encoding sequence usually transcribed from the proximal promoter. Expression of proximal Runx1 in 32Dcl.3 cells delays G-CSF induced neutrophil terminal differentiation by increasing viability compared to distal Runx1. We utilized Runx1 Nterminal deletion and point mutants of three evolutionarily conserved residues to describe dual N-terminal isoform motifs that promote two distinct differentiation phenotypes as regulatory elements in hematopoietic cell differentiation. Runx1 isoforms were evaluated in established hematopoietic in vitro and ex vivo differentiation systems. Deletion of amino acids 3’-14’ (Δ3-14) or 3’-19’ (Δ3-19) of the distal Runx1 N-terminus delayed terminal differentiation of the 32Dcl.3 myeloid cell line, indicating a regulatory motif in distal Runx1 abrogates the delay of terminal differentiation induced by proximal Runx1. Deletion of amino acids 3’-8’ (Δ3-8) or mutation of amino acids serine 3’, serine 5’ and phenylalanine 7’ of the distal Runx1 N-terminus reduce Runx1 expression in the 32Dcl.3 cell line. The N-terminus motif, runt domain and nuclear matrix-targeting sequence of Runx1 modulated Ets1 activity on the KIR3DL1 bidirectional promoter element. The transcription factor YY1 promotes both forward and reverse activation of the KIR3DL1 bidirectional promoter element dominantly in the presence of Runx1, and additively with Ets1. Distinct Runx1 proximal and distal N-termini induced phenotypes were observed in myeloid and thymocyte differentiation, but not with the KIR3DL1 luciferase assay system. This work identifies a previously unknown N-terminal regulatory motif that acts with spatio-temporal and gene target specificity to add another level of control over Runx1 activity during hematopoiesis.

Introdução: A leucemia linfoide aguda (LLA) \"BCR-ABL1-like\" exibe um perfil de expressão gênica semelhante ao observado em pacientes com LLA BCR-ABL1+. Este subtipo representa até 15% de todos os casos de LLA de linhagem B na população pediátrica e é frequentemente associado à presença de deleção total ou parcial do gene IKZF1. As isoformas de domínio negativo têm sido associadas a um aumento na chance de falha de resposta ao tratamento e tem sido associada com pior prognóstico. Objetivos: Analisar a presença de deleções do gene IKZF1 e a expressão de suas isoformas em amostras de medula óssea ao diagnóstico de crianças com LLA por técnica simplificada e de baixo custo de RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) e avaliar a associação desta alteração com fatores clínicos, biológicos e sobrevida. Metodologia: Foram analisadas 137 amostras de medula óssea colhidas ao diagnóstico de crianças com LLA, sendo 100 amostras de LLA de linhagem B, 35 de linhagem T e 2 na qual não foi possível a definição do imunofenópo, todas classificadas e tratadas segundo o protocolos GBTLI-99. A presença de deleções das isoformas do gene IKZF1 foi analisada por técnica de RT-PCR e confirmadas por sequenciamento automático. Associação entre deleção do IKZF1 e as variáveis idade, número de glóbulos brancos, grupo de risco, subgrupo molecular, presença de doença residual mínima e evento (recidiva ou óbito) foi analisada pelo teste exato de Fisher. Sobrevida livre de eventos, sobrevida livre de doença e sobrevida global foram avaliadas por curvas de Kaplan-Meier e teste log-rank. Análise multivariada por modelo de regressão de Cox foi utilizada para testar a independência dos fatores prognósticos. Resultados: Deleção total ou parcial no gene IKZF1 foi observada em 27/100 amostras de LLA B-derivada, sendo 15 evidenciando hiperexpressão das isoformas 6 ou 10, em 9 a expressão das isoformas foi de fraca intensidade e em 3 houve deleção total do gene. Nas amostras de LLA T-derivada foram observadas 3 alterações sendo 2 hiperexpressões da isoforma Ik6 e uma deleção total do gene. Presença de expressão forte das isoformas Ik6/Ik10 de IKZF1 foi associada na LLA B-derivada com pior sobrevida livre de eventos (SG), sobrevida livre de doença (SLD) e sobrevida global (SG)(P<0,001)). A presença de qualquer deleção do gene teve impacto apenas na SG (P=0,003). A sobrevida livre de eventos em 5 anos foi de 78,1 ± 4,6% versus 32 ± 12,4 % (P< 0,001), para os grupos sem e com expressão forte das isoformas Ik6/Ik10 forte de IKZF1 respectivamente, com risco relativo de evento desfavorável de 6.034 (95% IC: 2,105 - 17,295) para a presença da deleção. Análise multivariada por modelo de regressão de Cox nas LLA de linhagem B mostrou que expressão forte das isoformas Ik6/Ik10 foi o principal fator prognóstico independente (P<0.001) quando analisada em associação com idade, imunofenótipo (ausência de CD10), status da medula óssea no D28 da terapia de indução (M2/M3) e presença de DRM no D28 da indução tanto para SLE, quanto para SLD e SG. Nossos dados sugerem que o uso de técnica simplificada e de baixo custo para análise de deleções do gene IKZF1 é capaz de detectar pacientes com maior risco de recidiva, podendo ser útil na estratificação de pacientes com LLA de linhagem B em futuros protocolos de tratamento. Estudos multicêntricos com maior número de casos são necessários para confirmação destes resultados. / Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) \"BCR-ABL1-like\" exhibits a gene expression profile similar to that observed in patients with BCR-ABL1 + ALL. This subtype accounts for up to 15% of all B lineage ALL cases in the pediatric population and is often associated with the presence of total or partial deletion of the IKZF1 gene. Negative domain isoforms have been associated with an increased chance of treatment failure and have been associated with poorer prognosis. Objectives: To analyze the presence of deletions of the IKZF1 gene and the expression of its isoforms in bone marrow samples to the diagnosis of children with ALL by simplified technique and lowcost RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and to evaluate the association of this with clinical, biological and survival factors. Methodology: It has been analyzed 137 bone marrow samples collected at the diagnosis of children with ALL, 100 samples of ALL B lineage , 35 of T lineage and 2 in which it was not possible to define the immunophenotype, all classified and treated according to GBTLI protocols -99. The presence of deletions of the IKZF1 gene isoforms was analyzed by RT-PCR technique and confirmed by automatic sequencing. The association between IKZF1 deletion and the variables age, white blood cell count, risk group, molecular subgroup, presence of minimal residual disease and event (recurrence or death) were analyzed by the Fisher exact test. Event-free survival, disease-free survival and overall survival were assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression model was used to test the independence of prognostic factors. Results: Total or partial deletion in the IKZF1 gene was observed in 27/100 samples of B-derived ALL, 15 of which showed hyperexpression of isoforms 6 or 10, in 9 the expression of the isoforms was of low intensity and in 3 there was total deletion of the gene . In the T- derived ALL samples, 3 alterations were observed, 2 hyperexpressions of the Ik6 isoform and a total deletion of the gene. The presence of strong Ik6/Ik10 isoform expression was associated in B-derived ALL with worse event-free survival (SLE), disease-free survival (SLD), and overall survival (OS) (P <0.001). The presence of any deletion of the gene had an impact only on the SLE (P = 0.003). The 5-year event-free survival was 78.1 ± 4.6% versus 32 ± 12.4% (P <0.001), for the groups with and without a strong deletion of IKZF1 respectively, with relative risk of unfavorable event of 6,034 (95% CI: 2,105 - 17,295) for the presence of the deletion. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression model in B lineage ALL showed that the strong expression of Ik6 / Ik10 isoforms was the main independent prognostic factor (P <0.001) when analyzed in association with age, immunophenotype (absence of CD10), marrow status bone in D28 of induction therapy (M2 / M3) and presence of DRM in induction D28 for both SLE, SLD and SG. Our data suggest that the use of simplified and low-cost IKZF1 gene deletion analysis is capable of detecting patients at higher risk of relapse and may be useful in the stratification of patients with B lineage ALL in future treatment protocols. Multicentric studies with a greater number of cases are necessary to confirm these results.

Introdução: A leucemia linfoide aguda (LLA) \"BCR-ABL1-like\" exibe um perfil de expressão gênica semelhante ao observado em pacientes com LLA BCR-ABL1+. Este subtipo representa até 15% de todos os casos de LLA de linhagem B na população pediátrica e é frequentemente associado à presença de deleção total ou parcial do gene IKZF1. As isoformas de domínio negativo têm sido associadas a um aumento na chance de falha de resposta ao tratamento e tem sido associada com pior prognóstico. Objetivos: Analisar a presença de deleções do gene IKZF1 e a expressão de suas isoformas em amostras de medula óssea ao diagnóstico de crianças com LLA por técnica simplificada e de baixo custo de RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) e avaliar a associação desta alteração com fatores clínicos, biológicos e sobrevida. Metodologia: Foram analisadas 137 amostras de medula óssea colhidas ao diagnóstico de crianças com LLA, sendo 100 amostras de LLA de linhagem B, 35 de linhagem T e 2 na qual não foi possível a definição do imunofenópo, todas classificadas e tratadas segundo o protocolos GBTLI-99. A presença de deleções das isoformas do gene IKZF1 foi analisada por técnica de RT-PCR e confirmadas por sequenciamento automático. Associação entre deleção do IKZF1 e as variáveis idade, número de glóbulos brancos, grupo de risco, subgrupo molecular, presença de doença residual mínima e evento (recidiva ou óbito) foi analisada pelo teste exato de Fisher. Sobrevida livre de eventos, sobrevida livre de doença e sobrevida global foram avaliadas por curvas de Kaplan-Meier e teste log-rank. Análise multivariada por modelo de regressão de Cox foi utilizada para testar a independência dos fatores prognósticos. Resultados: Deleção total ou parcial no gene IKZF1 foi observada em 27/100 amostras de LLA B-derivada, sendo 15 evidenciando hiperexpressão das isoformas 6 ou 10, em 9 a expressão das isoformas foi de fraca intensidade e em 3 houve deleção total do gene. Nas amostras de LLA T-derivada foram observadas 3 alterações sendo 2 hiperexpressões da isoforma Ik6 e uma deleção total do gene. Presença de expressão forte das isoformas Ik6/Ik10 de IKZF1 foi associada na LLA B-derivada com pior sobrevida livre de eventos (SG), sobrevida livre de doença (SLD) e sobrevida global (SG)(P<0,001)). A presença de qualquer deleção do gene teve impacto apenas na SG (P=0,003). A sobrevida livre de eventos em 5 anos foi de 78,1 ± 4,6% versus 32 ± 12,4 % (P< 0,001), para os grupos sem e com expressão forte das isoformas Ik6/Ik10 forte de IKZF1 respectivamente, com risco relativo de evento desfavorável de 6.034 (95% IC: 2,105 - 17,295) para a presença da deleção. Análise multivariada por modelo de regressão de Cox nas LLA de linhagem B mostrou que expressão forte das isoformas Ik6/Ik10 foi o principal fator prognóstico independente (P<0.001) quando analisada em associação com idade, imunofenótipo (ausência de CD10), status da medula óssea no D28 da terapia de indução (M2/M3) e presença de DRM no D28 da indução tanto para SLE, quanto para SLD e SG. Nossos dados sugerem que o uso de técnica simplificada e de baixo custo para análise de deleções do gene IKZF1 é capaz de detectar pacientes com maior risco de recidiva, podendo ser útil na estratificação de pacientes com LLA de linhagem B em futuros protocolos de tratamento. Estudos multicêntricos com maior número de casos são necessários para confirmação destes resultados. / Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) \"BCR-ABL1-like\" exhibits a gene expression profile similar to that observed in patients with BCR-ABL1 + ALL. This subtype accounts for up to 15% of all B lineage ALL cases in the pediatric population and is often associated with the presence of total or partial deletion of the IKZF1 gene. Negative domain isoforms have been associated with an increased chance of treatment failure and have been associated with poorer prognosis. Objectives: To analyze the presence of deletions of the IKZF1 gene and the expression of its isoforms in bone marrow samples to the diagnosis of children with ALL by simplified technique and lowcost RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and to evaluate the association of this with clinical, biological and survival factors. Methodology: It has been analyzed 137 bone marrow samples collected at the diagnosis of children with ALL, 100 samples of ALL B lineage , 35 of T lineage and 2 in which it was not possible to define the immunophenotype, all classified and treated according to GBTLI protocols -99. The presence of deletions of the IKZF1 gene isoforms was analyzed by RT-PCR technique and confirmed by automatic sequencing. The association between IKZF1 deletion and the variables age, white blood cell count, risk group, molecular subgroup, presence of minimal residual disease and event (recurrence or death) were analyzed by the Fisher exact test. Event-free survival, disease-free survival and overall survival were assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression model was used to test the independence of prognostic factors. Results: Total or partial deletion in the IKZF1 gene was observed in 27/100 samples of B-derived ALL, 15 of which showed hyperexpression of isoforms 6 or 10, in 9 the expression of the isoforms was of low intensity and in 3 there was total deletion of the gene . In the T- derived ALL samples, 3 alterations were observed, 2 hyperexpressions of the Ik6 isoform and a total deletion of the gene. The presence of strong Ik6/Ik10 isoform expression was associated in B-derived ALL with worse event-free survival (SLE), disease-free survival (SLD), and overall survival (OS) (P <0.001). The presence of any deletion of the gene had an impact only on the SLE (P = 0.003). The 5-year event-free survival was 78.1 ± 4.6% versus 32 ± 12.4% (P <0.001), for the groups with and without a strong deletion of IKZF1 respectively, with relative risk of unfavorable event of 6,034 (95% CI: 2,105 - 17,295) for the presence of the deletion. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression model in B lineage ALL showed that the strong expression of Ik6 / Ik10 isoforms was the main independent prognostic factor (P <0.001) when analyzed in association with age, immunophenotype (absence of CD10), marrow status bone in D28 of induction therapy (M2 / M3) and presence of DRM in induction D28 for both SLE, SLD and SG. Our data suggest that the use of simplified and low-cost IKZF1 gene deletion analysis is capable of detecting patients at higher risk of relapse and may be useful in the stratification of patients with B lineage ALL in future treatment protocols. Multicentric studies with a greater number of cases are necessary to confirm these results.

No description available.

Die DNA Methyltransferasen sind verantwortlich für die spezifische Methylierung von DNA-Basen. Mehrere DNA Methyltransferasen sind bekannt, wobei die Dnmt1 das hauptsächlich vorkommende Enzym ist. Bei Säugetieren korreliert die DNA-Methylierung mit der Genaktivität und ist essentiell für die Embryonalentwicklung. Eine beeinträchtigte Funktion oder Verfügbarkeit des Enzyms kann zu pathologisch veränderten Zuständen führen. Die Regulation der Dnmt1 und die damit verbundene Bedeutung bei der Entstehung von Krankheiten ist bisher nur unvollständig untersucht. In der Frühphase der Embryonalentwicklung von Säugetieren ändert sich das Methylierungsmuster des Genoms dramatisch. In zeitlich aufeinander folgenden Phasen wird die DNA demethyliert (Verlust der Methylgruppen) und neu methyliert (De-Novo Methylierung). Die Hypothese dieser Arbeit ist, dass verschiedene Isoformen der Dnmt1 in spezifischen Entwicklungsstadien exprimiert werden und zu Veränderungen des Methylierungsmusters der DNA beitragen. Um diese Regulation zu untersuchen, wurde die Struktur der Maus Dnmt1-Gens bestimmt. Außerdem wurde in verschiedenen Gewebetypen die Transkriptionsgröße und die Transkriptionsintensität der mRNA mit Hilfe von Northern-Blots quantifiziert. Mit diesen Experimenten konnte im Hoden- und Skelettmuskelgewebe ein längeres Dnmt1-Transkript als in anderen Geweben identifiziert werden. Dieses neue Dnmt1-Transkript wurde mit Hilfe von RT-PCR und RACE-Techniken kloniert und ist in beiden Geweben identisch. Es unterscheidet sich auf DNA-Ebene in der Sequenz des 5'-Endes von der bisher bekannten Form der Dnmt1 und besitzt einen anderen Startpunkt für die Transkription. Darüber hinaus besitzt das neue Dnmt1-Transkript ein 800 Basenpaar großes erstes Exon, welches sich von dem des bekannten Dnmt1-Transkripts unterscheidet. Die spezifische zelluläre Lokalisation des neuen Transkripts wurde mit Hilfe der In-Situ-Hybridisierung analysiert. Mit dieser Technik wurde das alternative Transkript in stärker spezialisierten, haploiden spermatogenen Zellen (Spermatiden) und zu einem geringen Maß im Skelettmuskel nachgewiesen. Während der Differenzierung von Muskelzellen wurde eine verminderte Expression des bereits bekannten mRNA-Transkripts und eine verstärkte Expression des neu identifizierten mRNA-Transkripts festgestellt. Obwohl die mRNA der alternativen Isoform verschiedene, kurze offene Leserahmen enthält, welche die Translation eines spezifischen Dnmt1 Proteins verhindern könnten, wurde durch Immunofluoreszenz- und Western-Blot Analysen ein Translationsprodukt nachgewiesen. Nach den hier aufgezeigten Ergebnissen werden alternative Dnmt1 Isoformen in vivo exprimiert, welche eine aktive Rolle bei der Regulation der DNA-Methylierung spielen könnten. / DNA methyltransferases (DNA MTases) are enzymes responsible for DNA methylation (transfer of methyl groups to a base in the DNA) and are vital for the development of mammals. Several MTases have been identified in eukaryotes but the most abundant is Dnmt1. Furthermore, many pathological conditions are often attributed to an altered availability or function of this enzyme, however the understanding of the regulation of Dnmt1 and the concomitant relationship to diseases is far from being complete. In mammals the methylation of DNA correlates with gene activity, and methylation patterns change dramatically during early development when the genome of the mammalian embryo undergoes consecutive waves of demethylation (loss of methylation) and de novo methylation (methylation of DNA sites that have not been previously methylated). The hypothesis of this study was that alternative Dnmt1 isoforms are expressed at specific developmental stages and thus contribute to changes in the DNA methylation pattern. To study this regulation the structure of the Dnmt1 gene was determined. In this work, the tissue distribution and abundance of Dnmt1 mRNA was analyzed by Northern blot and a new, longer transcript was identified that is present in testis and skeletal muscle tissue. The novel isoform was cloned by a combination of RT-PCR and RACE techniques and found to be identical in both tissues. This new isoform differs from the ubiquitous cDNA in the 5' end, utilizing a new transcriptional start site and an 800 bp long alternative first exon. The cellular localization of this new transcript was determined by in situ hybridization and found to be present in the more specialized haploid spermatogenic cells, spermatids and at lower level in skeletal muscle. During muscle differentiation, the ubiquitous isoform is downregulated while the alternative isoform is upregulated. Although this mRNA codes for several short upstream ORFs which could prevent translation of the Dnmt1-specific ORF, it was found by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses that this transcript can be translated in vivo producing a shorter Dnmt1 protein. The results shown here indicate that alternative Dnmt1 isoforms are expressed in vivo and might play an active role in the regulation of DNA methylation.

SETD2/HYPB (SET domain-containing protein 2 / Huntingtin yeast partner B) is the predominant lysine methyltransferase in mammals that mediates histone H3 lysine-36 (H3K36) trimethylation, which is associated with transcription elongation and RNA splicing. SETD2 is further implicated in p53 function, vascular development, cancer progression and, through Huntingtin-interaction, Huntington's disease. Although different transcripts and putative protein isoforms have been detected previously, their identity, function and significance have not been rigorously investigated. This thesis aims to identify and characterise endogenous transcripts and protein isoforms of SETD2 in mouse fibroblasts. Affnity-purified N- and C-terminal antibodies specifically detected the &TildeTilde; 290 kDa methyltransferase (p290^SETD2), verified by RNAi, in addition to N terminal-specific &TildeTilde; 120 kDa protein, and C terminal-specific forms at &TildeTilde; 140 and &TildeTilde; 66 kDa (p66), which all appeared too stable to deplete by transient siRNA transfection. Conserved in human and mouse cells, immunodetection of p66 exhibited unusual requirement for denaturation with urea at 95°C. Subcellular fractionation revealed distinct extraction properties of putative isoforms and facilitated partial purification of p66 for proteomic analysis. Co-fractionation and co migration by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of p66 detected by two independent C terminal antibodies suggested it represents a novel C terminal-specific isoform. Reverse transcription−PCR and DNA-sequencing demonstrated the existence of multiple, alternatively-spliced Setd2 transcripts that plausibly generate truncated proteins. A transcript variant containing a novel complete open-reading-frame, consistent for p66 generation, was identified. Its ectopic expression in mouse fibroblasts produced a distinct SETD2 isoform, whose physical and extraction characteristics were studied in comparison with endogenous immunoforms. In summary, this thesis demonstrates that multiple alternatively-spliced transcripts arise from the Setd2 gene, consistent with immunodetection of several C- and N-terminal-specific putative SETD2 isoforms, additional to the H3K36 methyltransferase. Verification of these isoforms by independent methods would have implications for proposed interactions and function of SETD2 in transcription, epigenetics, cancer development and Huntington’s disease.

Tropomyosins(Tm) are a group of proteins that regulate the actin filaments in both muscle and non-muscle cells. In mammalian cells four Tm species are found: α-Tm (fast) encoded by α-Tm /TPM1 gene, β-Tm, encoded by β-Tm/ TPM2 gene, α-Tm (slow) encoded by γTm gene/ TPM3 and δ-Tm encoded by δTm / TPM4gene. Mutations in Tm are linked to many cardiac and skeletal diseases like hypertrophic cardiac myopathy (TPM1 and TPM2), familial cardiac myopathy (TPM1) and skeletal diseases like nemaline myopathy (TPM2 and TPM3) along with other sarcomere proteins. The hypothesis on which this study is based is, the isoform composition in both muscle and non-muscle cells adapts in response to disease and physiological changes. A significant part of that adaptation is changes in the thin filament protein isoforms expressed and the post translational modifications of these proteins. In this study Tpm3.12st isoform of γTm and other striated muscle tropomyosin isoforms (Tpm1 and Tpm2) and a non-muscle Tmp4 were characterised using a variety of techniques. The aim was to enhance our understanding of the role of tropomyosin interactions in regards to its efficiency of actin binding capacity as well as its effect on actin polymerisation. Human tropomyosin 3 (Tpm3.12st) was expressed in E. coli to produce recombinant protein with three N-terminal sequence variants (Met, MM and (M)ASM). The proteins were characterised for their binding affinity with actin as this isoform has not been well characterised so far. Its properties are compared with other striated muscle tropomyosin Tpm1.1st and Tpm2.2st and non-muscle Tpm4.1cy. The proteins were purified through ion exchange chromatography and the purity was checked by using SDS-PAGE and UV spectrometry. The molecular weights of the recombinant proteins produced were confirmed by mass spectrometry. Cosedimentation assays were performed for their actin binding affinity using ultracentrifugation. The variant of Tpm3.12st with AS N-terminal extension was found to have similar actin affinity to Tpm1.1st in the range of 0.1-0.8 μM (half saturation). However the variants with Met and MM N-termini bound to actin weakly with high half saturation concentration of ~ 6 μM and ~8 μM tropomyosin respectively. Measurement of actin polymerisation kinetics showed it is affected in presence of tropomyosin. From this study it is shown that tropomyosin accelerates the initiation step in actin polymerisation with varying differences within the isoforms in contrast to several previous studies. There have been very few studies of the effect of tropomyosin on actin polymerisation in the last two decades. This work shows that tropomyosin isoforms have a large and variable role in controlling actin polymerisation and understanding tropomyosin function will need further investigation in this area. This study also developed an ELISA screening method using monoclonal antibodies for identification and quantification of Tpm3.12st which was tested against all the four tropomyosin isoforms. None of the twelve antibodies studied showed reactivity only with Tpm3.12st. From the data analysed it is deduced the amino acid residues in the region of 24-43 shows the prospect of designing a monoclonal antibody specific to Tpm3.12st isoform. Accurate quantification of tropomyosin isoforms is key to understanding their function and the effects of modulation of isoform composition in health and disease. A reverse phase liquid chromatography method was developed which is compatible with the analysis of the thin filament proteome using top-down mass spectrometry. Reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is one of the most popular methods used in mass spectrometry analysis where proteins are separated based on their hydrophobicity. The RPLC method developed in this study gives an efficient separation of major thin filament proteins along with small soluble proteins that is compatible to use for top down mass spectrometry for identification and quantification of proteins, PTMs and isoform composition. With a minimum amount of 2 mg of tissue using chicken and mouse heart and skeletal muscle samples a buffer system was optimized to extract thin filament proteins. With the optimized RPLC method actin, tropomyosin and troponin complex subunits (TnC, TnI and TnI) were successfully separated and the proteins were identified using SDS-page by comparison with the previous research results. This novel method of extraction and the optimised RPLC method will provide a “bird’s eye view” of thin filament proteome providing information of PTMs of all the proteins together within one single extraction, reducing the time for analysis and the sample size. This has the potential to give insight into tissue, muscle and heart adaptations that could act as a prognostic indicator.

A proteína do retardo mental do X frágil (FMRP), codificada pelo gene do Retardo Mental do X Frágil (do inglês, Fragile Mental Retardation 1, FMR1) associa-se a RNA e transita entre o núcleo celular, grânulos citoplasmáticos e polirribossomos. No SNC, tem um importante papel como reguladora traducional atuando na maturação e eliminação sináptica. A exclusão do éxon 14 de transcritos do FMR1, associada ao uso do terceiro sítio de splicing do éxon 15 do FMR1, acarreta mudança da fase de leitura dos códons subsequentes, produzindo potencialmente isoformas da FMRP com nova região C-terminal, sem o sinal de localização nuclear e o domínio RGG, principal efetor de sua associação a RNAs. Sua importância funcional ainda não foi estudada. Neste trabalho, avaliamos por RT-qPCR a expressão dos transcritos que incluem e excluem o éxon 14 do Fmr1 no SNC de ratos e identificamos o córtex cerebral no décimo nono dia embrionário (E19) e no segundo dia pós-natal (P2) como tecido e fases do desenvolvimento em que são observados transcritos do Fmr1 com junção entre o éxon 13 e o terceiro sítio de splicing do éxon 15. Demonstramos que transcritos com essa junção exônica associam-se à proteína 4E de iniciação da tradução de eucarioto (eIF4E), indicando sua estabilidade no citoplasma. Geramos um anticorpo que identifica proteína de fusão com nova região C-terminal da FMRP. Paralelamente, a triagem por elementos em cis (transcritos) e fatores proteicos em trans trouxeram candidatos a inibirem o splicing do éxon 14 do FMR1 / Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), encoded by the Fragile Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, is an RNA-binding protein with nucleus-to-cytoplasm shuttling, and polyribosome association. In the central nervous system (CNS), FMRP is a translation regulator with important roles in synaptic maturation and elimination. In primary FMR1 transcripts, exon 14 skipping followed by selection of the exon 15 third splicing acceptor site, shifts the open reading frame of the downstream codons creating a putative FMRP isoform with a novel C-terminus, which lacks the nuclear localization signal and the major RNA binding domain, RGG box. The relevance of such isoform is as yet unknown. In the present study, we assessed, by RT-qPCR, the expression of rat Fmr1 transcripts in the CNS, relative to the inclusion of exon 14. We identified the cerebral cortex in the nineteenth embryonic day (E19) and the second postnatal day (P2) as the most prominent sources of transcripts bearing a splicing junction between exon 13 and the third splicing acceptor site in exon 15. Those transcripts are associated with the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), indicating its cytoplasmic stability. We generated an antibody that recognizes a fusion protein carrying the novel FMRP C-terminus. Concurrently, a search for ci (transcript) and trans (protein) elements identified putative inhibitors of FMR1 exon 14 splicing