Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / INTRODUÃÃO: Recentemente, foi demonstrado que o H2S està envolvido em inÃmeras funÃÃes fisiolÃgicas e patolÃgicas, sendo produzido em muitos tecidos de mamÃferos. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o papel do H2S na defesa da mucosa e no controle da motilidade gÃstrica em camundongos, bem como estudar a participaÃÃo dos canais de KATP, dos neurÃnios sensoriais sensÃveis à capsaicina e dos receptores TRPV1 neste efeito. MÃTODOS: Camundongos Swiss foram prÃ-tratados com L-cisteÃna (25, 50 ou 100 mg/kg, v.o), NaHS (75, 150 ou 300 Âmol/kg, v.o) ou LawessonÂs (3, 9, 27 ou 81 Âmol/kg, v.o). Trinta minutos depois, o etanol 50% (0,5ml/25g, v.o) foi administrado. Depois de 1 h, os animais foram sacrificados e os estÃmagos abertos para determinaÃÃo da Ãrea da lesÃo usando planimetria computadorizada. AlÃm disso, fragmentos de tecidos foram removidos para anÃlise microscÃpica e dosagem de glutationa e malondialdeÃdo. Para o estudo do esvaziamento gÃstrico, outro grupo experimental foi tratado, por gavagem, com as mesmas doses de L-cisteÃna, NaHS ou LawessonÂs, decorridos 30 min os animais receberam uma soluÃÃo glicosada (5%) contendo vermelho de fenol (0,75 mg/ml) em cada animal. ApÃs 10, 20 ou 30 min os animais foram sacrificados e o esvaziamento gÃstrico foi avaliado por tÃcnica de espectrofotometria. Em outro grupo experimental os animais foram prÃ-tratados com glibenclamida (3 e 10 mg/Kg, v.o.) ou capsazepina (10 mg/kg, i.p). ApÃs 1h, foram administrados a L-cisteÃna (50 mg/kg) ou os doadores de H2S (NaHS 150 Âmol/kg ou o reagente de LawessonÂs 27Âmol/kg, v.o). Trinta minutos depois, o etanol 50% foi administrado para avaliaÃÃo da lesÃo gÃstrica e soluÃÃo de vermelho de fenol foi administrada para avaliar o esvaziamento gÃstrico conforme descrito anteriormente. Para o estudo dos neurÃnios aferentes, foi realizado protocolo de ablaÃÃo dos com doses neurotÃxicas de capsaicina. ApÃs 8 dias, os animais receberam NaHS ou o LawessonÂs e o protocolo de lesÃo gÃstrica por etanol 50% foi determinado como descrito acima. TambÃm foi determinado a contratilidade espontÃnea do fundo gÃstrico incubado com doses crescentes de NaHS ou KCl (controle) utilizando um transdutor de forÃa isomÃtrico acoplado a um sistema de aquisiÃÃo de dados. RESULTADOS: A administraÃÃo de L-cisteÃna, NaHS ou Reagente de LawessonÂs preveniu, de forma dose dependente, a lesÃo por etanol no estÃmago. Essa proteÃÃo foi acompanhada do aumento de GSH e diminuiÃÃo dos nÃveis gÃstricos de MDA quando comparado com o grupo tratado apenas com etanol. Glibenclamida (10 mg/kg) e a capsazepina reverteram completamente esse efeito protetor dos doadores de H2S. Nos animais depletados de neurÃnios aferentes, tambÃm houve uma reversÃo do efeito protetor dos doadores de H2S e da L-cisteÃna. O NaHS, o LawessonÂs e a L-cisteÃna promoveram aceleraÃÃo do esvaziamento gÃstrico quando comparado com o controle, de maneira dose dependente. Este efeito procÃnÃtico foi abolido pela prÃ-administraÃÃo de glibenclamida e capsazepina O NaHS tambÃm foi capaz de induzir um aumento no tÃnus basal que iniciou-se com mÃximo efeito na concentraÃÃo de 300 ÂM em relaÃÃo à contraÃÃo controle de KCl. CONCLUSÃES: o H2S preveniu a lesÃo gÃstrica, o consumo de GSH e aumento da peroxidaÃÃo lipÃdica na mucosa gÃstrica, induzidos pela administraÃÃo de etanol em camundongos. O H2S tambÃm apresentou efeito procinÃtico, acelerando o esvaziamento gÃstrico de lÃquidos em camundongos. Podemos inferir que esses efeitos devem-se a ativaÃÃo dos canais de KATP, dos neurÃnios sensoriais sensÃveis à capsaicina e dos receptores TRPV1. / INTRODUCTION: Recently, the involvement of H2S has been demonstrated in several physiological and pathological conditions, being constitutively produced in mammalian tissues. AIM: To study the role of H2S on both the gastric mucosa defense and the control of gastric motility in mice, and additionally to evaluate the participation of KATP channels, capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons and TRPV1 receptors in these effects. METHODS: Swiss mice were pre-treated with either L-cysteine (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o), NaHS (75, 150 or 300 Âmol/kg, p.o) or LawessonÂs reagent (3, 9, 27 or 81 Âmol/kg, p.o). The animals were then given ethanol 50% (0.5ml/25g, p.o.) 30 min later. After 1h of ethanol instillation, the mice were sacrificed and had the stomach collected to measure the injured area through planimetry software. Moreover some samples were obtained to histopathological analysis, glutathione (GSH), and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) dosages. In the study of gastric empty, the animals were administered L-cysteine, NaHS or LawessonÂs reagent, and 30 min later a phenol red solution (0.75 mg/ml) diluted in glucose (5%) was also given. The sacrifice was performed 10, 20 or 30 min after the latter to determine in a spectrophotometer the gastric empty. In another experimental setting, glibenclamide (3 or 10 mg/Kg, v.o.) or capsazepine (10 mg/kg, i.p) were injected 1h previously to the L-cysteine (50 mg/kg, p.o) or H2S donors (NaHS 150 Âmol/kg or LawessonÂs reagent 27Âmol/kg, p.o) instillation. In order to study the role of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons, high neurotoxic doses of capsaicin was instilled into the animals. On the 8th day post capsaicin injection, NaHS or LawessonÂs reagent was administered. The protocol for ethanol administration, sacrifice, and dosages were repeated for these conditions as described previously. Finally, the spontaneous contraction of isolated gastric fundus to KCl (control contraction) and growing doses of NaHS was determined in vitro through and isometric force transducer connected to an acquisition system. RESULTS: L-cysteine, NaHS and LawessonÂs reagent prevented, in a dose dependent manner, the ethanol-induced gastric injury. Besides, high and low levels of GSH and MDA were found respectively in comparison to the control group given only ethanol. Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) and capsazepine completely reversed the protective effect of the H2S donors. The animals that undergone afferent neuronal ablation also developed gastric lesions despite the injection of L-cysteine and H2S donors. NaHS, LawessonÂs reagent and L-cysteine all accelerated gastric empty in comparison to the control group and in a dose-dependent manner. Such prokinetic effect was abolished in glibenclamide and capsazepine pre-treated mice. The NaHS was also able to induce an increase in gastric fundus basal tonus in vitro presenting a ceiling effect in the concentration of 300ÂM when compared with the standard KCl contraction. CONCLUSIONS: The H2S prevented the ethanol-induced gastric damage, GSH consumption, and lipid peroxidation processes in the stomach mucosa of mice. The H2S also revealed a prokinetic effect leading to a higher liquid gastric empty in mice. Such results seem to be dependent on KATP channels, sensory afferent neurons, and TRPV1 receptors activation.

3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase is a 97 kDa glycoprotein located in the endoplasmic reticulum responsible for cholesterol biosynthesis in mammalian liver and intestine. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) (e.g. simvastatin, mevastatin and parvastatin) are used clinically to treat and prevent coronary artery diseases by reducing plasma LDL-cholesterol level. Recent studies have demonstrated that statins can provide beneficial effects (pleiotropic effects) beyond its lipid-lowering activity. However, the modulatory effects of statins on ion channels activities have not been fully explored. Hence, this study is designed to demonstrate the existence of the HMG CoA reductase in various human isolate cardiovascular preparations and the modulatory effect(s) of simvastatin on both large-conductance calcium-activated (BKCa) and ATP-sensitive (IKATP) potassium channels of porcine isolated coronary vascular smooth muscle cells. / In conclusion, our results demonstrated the biochemical existence of HMG CoA reductase in various human isolated cardiovascular preparations and porcine isolated coronary artery. Simvastatin modulates the BKCa and IKATP channels of the porcine isolated coronary artery via different and multiple cellular mechanisms. / In this study, we demonstrated the biochemical existence of the HMG CoA reductase in various human isolated cardiovascular preparations and porcine isolated coronary artery. In addition, we demonstrated that simvastatin modulates both the BKCa channels and IKATP channels of porcine isolated coronary artery via different mechanisms. Acute application of simvastatin (100 nM) slightly enhanced whereas simvastatin (≥ 1 muM) inhibited the BKCa amplitude of porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells. The classical HMG CoA reductase-mevalonate cascade is important in mediating the inhibitory effect of simvastatin observed at low concentrations (1 and 3 muM), whereas an increased PKC-delta protein expression and activation is important in simvastatin (10 muM)-mediated inhibition of BKCa channels. In contrast, the basal activity of the IKATP channels was not affected by simvastatin (1, 3 and 10 muM). However, acute application of simvastatin (1, 3 and 10 muM) inhibited the opening of the IKATP channels by cromakalim and pinacidil in a PP2A-dependent manner (sensitive to okadaic acid, a PP2A inhibitor). The okadaic acid-sensitive, simvastatin-mediated inhibitory effect on IKATP channel is mediated by an activation of AMPK in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Activation of AMPK probably increased the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase and subsequently caused an influx of glucose via the SGLT1 down the Na + concentration gradient for the ouabain-sensitive, glucose-dependent activation of PP2A. / Seto, Sai Wang. / Adviser: Yiu-Wa Kwan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3456. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 221-254). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

<p>Insulin release from single islets of Langerhans is pulsatile. The secretory activities of the islets in the pancreas are coordinated resulting in plasma insulin oscillations. Nutrients amplitude-regulate the insulin pulses without influencing their frequency. Diabetic patients show an abnormal plasma insulin pattern, but the cause of the disturbance remains to be elucidated. Ithe present thesis the influence of the cytoplasmic calcium concentratio([Ca²⁺]_i) and cell metabolism on pulsatile insulin release was examined in single islets of Langerhans from <i>ob/ob</i>-mice. Glucose stimulation of insulin release involves closure of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (K_ATP channels), depolarization, and Ca²⁺ influx in β-cells. In the presence of 11 mM glucose, pulsatile insulin secretion occurs in synchrony with oscillations i[Ca²⁺]_i. When [Ca²⁺]_i is low and stable, e.g. under basal conditions, low amplitude insulin pulses are still observed. When [Ca²⁺]_i is elevated and non-oscillating, e.g. when the β-cells are depolarized by potassium, high amplitude insulin pulses are observed. The frequency of the insulin pulses under these conditions is similar to that observed when [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations are present. By permanently opening or closing the K_ATP channels with diazoxide or tolbutamide, respectively, it was investigated if glucose can modulate pulsatile insulin secretion when it does not influence the channel activity. Under these conditions, [Ca²⁺]_i remained stable whereas the amplitude of the insulin pulses increased with sugar stimulation without change in the frequency. Metabolic inhibition blunted but did not prevent the insulin pulses. The results indicate that oscillations in metabolism can generate pulsatile insulin release when [Ca²⁺]_i is stable. However, under physiological conditions, pulsatile secretion is driven by oscillations in metabolism and [Ca²⁺]_i, acting in synergy.</p>

Insulin release from single islets of Langerhans is pulsatile. The secretory activities of the islets in the pancreas are coordinated resulting in plasma insulin oscillations. Nutrients amplitude-regulate the insulin pulses without influencing their frequency. Diabetic patients show an abnormal plasma insulin pattern, but the cause of the disturbance remains to be elucidated. Ithe present thesis the influence of the cytoplasmic calcium concentratio([Ca2+]i) and cell metabolism on pulsatile insulin release was examined in single islets of Langerhans from ob/ob-mice. Glucose stimulation of insulin release involves closure of ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP channels), depolarization, and Ca2+ influx in β-cells. In the presence of 11 mM glucose, pulsatile insulin secretion occurs in synchrony with oscillations i[Ca2+]i. When [Ca2+]i is low and stable, e.g. under basal conditions, low amplitude insulin pulses are still observed. When [Ca2+]i is elevated and non-oscillating, e.g. when the β-cells are depolarized by potassium, high amplitude insulin pulses are observed. The frequency of the insulin pulses under these conditions is similar to that observed when [Ca2+]i oscillations are present. By permanently opening or closing the KATP channels with diazoxide or tolbutamide, respectively, it was investigated if glucose can modulate pulsatile insulin secretion when it does not influence the channel activity. Under these conditions, [Ca2+]i remained stable whereas the amplitude of the insulin pulses increased with sugar stimulation without change in the frequency. Metabolic inhibition blunted but did not prevent the insulin pulses. The results indicate that oscillations in metabolism can generate pulsatile insulin release when [Ca2+]i is stable. However, under physiological conditions, pulsatile secretion is driven by oscillations in metabolism and [Ca2+]i, acting in synergy.

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Orientador: Carlos Amilcar Parada / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T11:05:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DosSantos_GilsonGoncalves_M.pdf: 2757194 bytes, checksum: 3b5bda3ca0fc7912d13b42ba51399734 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A dipirona (metamizol) é um pró-fármaco analgésico utilizado no controle da dor moderada, sendo metabolizada em dois metabolitos bioativos: 4-metil-aminoantipirina (4-MAA) e 4-aminoantipirina (4-AA). O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a participação de receptores canabinóides periféricos, CB1, CB2 e canais de KATP sobre o efeito anti-hiperalgésico da dipirona, 4-MAA ou 4- AA. Para indução de hiperalgesia, PGE2 (100 ng/pata ) foi administrada localmente na pata traseira de ratos Wistar machos, e o limiar hiperalgésico mecânico foi quantificado por Von- Frey eletrônico, antes e três horas após a injeção. Dipirona, 4-MAA ou 4-AA foram administrados 30 minutos antes do Von Frey. Os antagonistas seletivos do receptor CB1 (AM251), CB2 (AM630) e glibenclamida, um bloqueador KATP (80 ug) ou ODQ um inibidor de cGMP (32 ?g) foram administrados 30 minutos antes da Dipirona, 4-MAA ou 4 -AA. O ODN-antisense para reduzir a expressão do receptor CB1 (30 ?g) foi administrado por via intratecal, uma vez por dia durante quatro dias consecutivos. A hiperalgesia mecânica induzida pela PGE2 foi reduzida pela dipirona, 4-MAA, e 4-AA de maneira dose-dependente. AM251 ou ODN-antisense contra o receptor neuronal CB1, mas não AM630, reduziu o efeito anti-hiperalgésico mediado por 4-AA, mas não da dipirona ou 4-MAA. Por outro lado, o efeito anti-hiperalgésico da dipirona, ou 4-MAA foi revertido por glibenclamida ou ODQ. Os resultados sugerem que a ativação de receptores neuronal CB1, mas não do receptor CB2, no tecido periférico esteja envolvido no efeito anti-hiperalgésico do metabólito 4-AA. Além disso, a dipirona e 4-MAA possui um efeito anti-hiperalgesico dependente de cGMP e consequente abertura KATP / Abstract: Dipyrone (metamizole) is an analgesic pro-drug used to control moderate pain. It is metabolized in two bioactive metabolites: 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA) and 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA). The aim of this study was to investigate the participation of peripheral CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors activation on the anti-hyperalgesic effect of Dypirone, 4-MAA or 4-AA. For induction of hyperalgesia, PGE2 (100 ng) was locally administrated in hindpaw of male Wistar rats, and the mechanical nociceptive threshold was quantified by electronic von-Frey, before and 3 hours after its injection. Dypirone, 4-MAA or 4-AA was administrated 30 minutes before the von-Frey test. The selective CB1 receptor antagonist AM251, CB2 receptor antagonist AM630, cGMP inhibitor ODQ (32 ?g) or KATP blocker glibenclamide (80 ?g) was administrated 30 minutes before Dypirone, 4-MAA or 4-AA. The antisense-ODN against CB1 receptor expression (30 ?g) was intrathecally administrated once a day during four consecutive days. PGE2-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was inhibited by dypirone, 4-MAA, and 4-AA in a dose-response manner. AM251 or ODN anti-sense against neuronal CB1 receptor, but not AM630, reversed the antihyperalgesic effect mediated by 4-AA, but not by dypirone or 4-MAA. On the other hand, the anti-hyperalgesic effect of dypirone or 4-MAA was reversed by Glibenclamide or ODQ. These results suggest that the activation of neuronal CB1, but not CB2 receptor, in the peripheral tissue is involved in the anti-hyperalgesic effect of 4-aminoantipyrine. In addition, 4- methylaminontipyrine mediates anti-hyperalgesic effect by the cGMP activation and the KATP opening / Mestrado / Fisiologia / Mestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels establish and regulate the resting membrane potential of excitable cells in the heart, brain and other peripheral tissues. Phosphatidylinositol- 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a key direct activator of ion channels, including Kir channels. Gasotransmitters, such as carbon monoxide (CO), have been reported to regulate the activity of Kir channels by altering channel-PIP2 interactions. We tested, in a model system, the effects and mechanism of action of another important gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) thought to play a key role in cellular responses under ischemic conditions. Direct administration of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), as an exogenous H2S source, and expression of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), a key enzyme that produces endogenous H2S in specific brain tissues, resulted in comparable current inhibition of several Kir2 and Kir3 channels. A “tag switch” assay provided biochemical evidence for sulfhydration of Kir3.2 channels. The extent of H2S regulation depended on the strength of channel-PIP2 interactions: H2S regulation was attenuated when strengthening channel-PIP2 interactions and was increased when channel-PIP2 interactions were weakened by depleting PIP2 levels via different manipulations. These H2S effects took place through specific cytoplasmic cysteine residues in Kir3.2 channels, where atomic resolution structures with PIP2 gives us insight as to how they may alter channel-PIP2 interactions. Mutation of these residues abolished H2S inhibition, and reintroduction of specific cysteine residues into the background of the mutant lacking cytoplasmic cysteine residues, rescued H2S inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulation experiments provided mechanistic insights as to how sulfhydration of specific cysteine residues could lead to changes in channel-PIP2 interactions and channel gating.

No / Hair disorders cause psychological distress but are generally poorly controlled; more effective treatments are required. Despite the long-standing use of minoxidil for balding, its mechanism is unclear; suggestions include action on vasculature or follicle cells. Similar drugs also stimulate hair, implicating ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels. To investigate whether K(ATP) channels are present in human follicles, we used organ culture, molecular biological, and immunohistological approaches. Minoxidil and tolbutamide, a K(ATP) channel blocker, opposed each other's effects on the growing phase (anagen) of scalp follicles cultured in media with and without insulin. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction identified K(ATP) channel component gene expression including regulatory sulfonylurea receptors (SUR) SUR1 and SUR2B but not SUR2A and pore-forming subunits (Kir) Kir6.1 and Kir6.2. When hair bulb tissues were examined separately, epithelial matrix expressed SUR1 and Kir6.2, whereas both dermal papilla and sheath exhibited SUR2B and Kir6.1. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated similar protein distributions. Thus, human follicles respond biologically to K(ATP) channel regulators in culture and express genes and proteins for two K(ATP) channels, Kir6.2/SUR1 and Kir6.1/SUR2B; minoxidil only stimulates SUR2 channels. These findings indicate that human follicular dermal papillae contain K(ATP) channels that can respond to minoxidil and that tolbutamide may suppress hair growth clinically; novel drugs designed specifically for these channels could treat hair disorders.

Les canaux potassiques sensibles à l’ATP (KATP) jouent un rôle primordial dans plusieurs processus cellulaires. La modulation de ces canaux par des molécules activatrices constituerait des applications pharmacologiques et médicinales très intéressantes. À cet effet nous avons conçu et synthétisé de nouvelles molécules hybrides cromakalim-diazoxide et diazoxide-amine/aminoacide. Nous avons également, évalué l’activité myorelaxante de ces composés sur l’aorte de rates. Les résultats obtenus ne montrent pas un effet myorelaxant significatif. Des études sur d’autres tissus, notamment les cellules β pancréatiques et le muscle utérin, sont envisagées afin d’explorer une éventuelle sélectivité tissulaire. Par ailleurs, les interactions protéine-protéine jouent un rôle fondamental dans presque tous les processus cellulaires. Elles sont fortement impliquées dans la formation de la structure dimérique de la protéase du VIH-1 et l’agrégation du peptide β amyloïde impliquée dans la maladie d’Alzheimer. L’inhibition de ces interactions serait donc d’un avantage thérapeutique pour le traitement du SIDA et de la maladie d’Alzheimer. Nous avons conçu et synthétisé d’une part, des pinces moléculaires à base de motifs carbonylhydrazides et oligohydrazides (Azatide), et d’autre part, des molécules pentapeptidiques avec un peudoaminoacide central alcoolfluoré. Enfin, nous avons testé la capacité des pinces moléculaires à perturber le feuillet β terminal de la PR du VIH-1 afin d'inhiber sa dimérisation et donc son activité. Nous avons réalisé de même une étude de relation structure-activité et d’après l’ensemble des résultats obtenus, il semblerait que la flexibilité est délétère pour l’activité inhibitrice. Nous avons également évalué la capacité des nouvelles molécules peptidomimétiques alcool fluorées à accélérer ou inhiber l’agrégation du peptide Aβ1-42 dans le but de diminuer la présence de petits oligomères neurotoxiques. Les résultats obtenus sont très prometteurs, nous avons réussi à développer d’une part un pentapeptide capable d’inhiber totalement l’agrégation de Aβ1-42, et d’autre part des pseudopentapeptides capables d’accélérer son agrégation. Nous avons aussi démontré l’influence de l’atome de fluor sur la structuration d’un pentapeptide. Des études par RMN et DC sont en cours. / ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) play an important role in many cellular processes. The modulation of these channels by activating molecules may constitute very interesting pharmacological and medicinal applications. For this purpose, we have designed and synthesized new hybrid molecules cromakalim-diazoxide and diazoxide-amine/aminoacid. We also evaluated the relaxant activity of these compounds on aorta of rats. The obtained results do not show a significant relaxant effect. Studies on other tissues, including pancreatic  cells and uterine muscle, are envisaged to explore the potency of these compounds and their possible tissue selectivity.Otherwise, Protein-protein interactions play a fundamental role in almost all cellular processes. They are strongly involved in the formation of the dimeric structure of HIV-1 protease and β amyloid peptide aggregation involved in Alzheimer's disease. Inhibition of these interactions would be a therapeutic advantage for the treatment of AIDS and Alzheimer's disease. We designed and synthesized on one hand, molecular tongs based on carbonylhydrazide oligohydrazid (Azatide) fragments and in the other hand, pentapeptide molecules with a central fluorinated and hydroxylated aminoacid. Finally, we tested the ability of molecular tongs to disrupt the terminal β sheet of the HIV-1 PR to inhibit its dimerization and thus its activity. We have also conducted a structure-activity relationship study and According to the results it seems that flexibility is detrimental to the inhibitory activity. We evaluated as well the ability of new fluorinated and hydroxylated peptidomimetics to accelerate or inhibit the aggregation of Aβ1-42 peptide in order to reduce the presence of small toxic oligomers. The results are very promising that we succeeded in developing a pentapeptide able to completely inhibit the aggregation of Aβ1-42, and in the other hand pseudopentapeptides able to accelerate its aggregation. We also demonstrated the influence of fluorine on the structure of a pentapeptides. Studies by NMR and DC are in progress.

L’infarctus du myocarde (IM) survenant après l’obstruction de l’artère coronaire est la cause principale des décès cardiovasculaires. Après l’IM, le coeur endommagé répond à l’augmentation du stress hémodynamique avec une cicatrice et une hypertrophie dans la région non-infarcie du myocarde. Dans la région infarcie, la cicatrice se forme grâce au dépôt du collagène. Pendant formation de la cicatrice, les cardiomyocytes ventriculaires résidant dans la région non-infarcie subissent une réponse hypertrophique après l’activation chronique due au système sympathique et à l’angiotensine II. La cicatrisation préserve l’intégrité structurale du coeur et l'hypertrophie des cardiomyocytes apporte un support ionotropique. Le canal CaV1.2 joue un rôle dans la réponse hypertrophique après l’IM. L’activation du CaV1.2 déclenche la signalisation dépendante de Ca2+ induisant l’hypertrophie. Cependant, il est rapporté que l’ouverture des canaux potassiques (KATP) ATP sensitifs joue un rôle sélectif dans l’expansion de la cicatrice après IM. Malgré leur expression dans les coeurs mâles, les KATP fournissent une cardioprotection sexe dépendante limitant l’expansion de la cicatrice chez les femelles. L’administration de rapamycine aux rates ayant subi un infarctus produit l’expansion de la cicatrice, soutenant la relation possible entre la cible de rapamycine, mTORC1 et les KATP dans la cardioprotection sexe spécifique. Effectivement, dans les cellules pancréatiques α, la signalisation mTORC1 était couplée à l'activation du KATP. Cependant, le lien entre mTORC1 et les canaux KATP dans le coeur reste inconnu. L'objectif de la thèse est d’examiner le rôle des canaux ioniques dans le remodelage cardiaque post-IM, surtout des canaux calciques dans l'hypertrophie et d'élucider la relation entre les KATP et mTORC1. L’hypothèse première teste que l’hypertrophie médiée par le système sympathique des cardiomyocytes ventriculaires des rats néonataux (NRCM) produit une augmentation de l’influx calcique après une augmentation des sous-unités du CaV1.2. Le traitement de norépinéphrine (NE) quadruple l’amplitude du courant calcique type L et double l’expression protéique des sous unités de CaVα2δ1 et CaVβ3. L’hypertrophie des NRCM au NE s’associe à une augmentation de la phosphorylation de la Kinase ERK 1/2. Le β1-bloqueur metoprolol et l’inhibiteur ii de ERK1/2 diminuent l’effet de NE sur CaVα2δ1. Cependant, l’augmentation de CaVβ3 et de la réponse hypertrophique persiste. Ainsi, le signal β1-adrenergique à travers ERK augmente les sous-unités CaVα2δ1 outre l’hypertrophie. L’autre hypothèse examine la spécificité du sexe sur l’expansion cicatricielle médiée par rapamycine et l’influence de mTOR sur l’expression de KATP. Rapamycin augmente la surface de la cicatrice et inhibe la phosphorylation de mTOR chez les coeurs de femelles. Dans les coeurs des deux sexes, la phosphorylation de mTOR et l’expression de KATP, Kir6.2 et SUR2A sont similaires. Cependant, une grande inactivation de la tubérine et une faible expression de raptor sont détectées chez les femelles. Le traitement à l’ester de phorbol des NRCM induit l’hypertrophie, augmente la phosphorylation de p70S6K et l’expression SUR2A. Le prétraitement par Rapamycine atténue chacune des réponses. Rapamycin démontre un patron d’expansion cicatriciel sexe spécifique et une régulation de phosphorylation de mTOR dans IM. Aussi, l’augmentation de SUR2A dans les NRCM traités par PDBu révèle une interaction entre mTOR et KATP. / Myocardial infarction (MI) secondary to the obstruction of the coronary artery is the main cause of cardiovascular death. Following MI, the damaged heart adapts to the increased hemodynamic stress via formation of a scar and a hypertrophic response of ventricular cardiomyocytes in the non-infarcted myocardium. In the infarcted region, a scar is formed via the rapid deposition of collagen. With ongoing scar formation, ventricular cardiomyocytes in the non-infarcted myocardium undergo a hypertrophic response secondary to the chronic activation by the sympathetic system and angiotensin II. Collectively, scar formation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy preserve the structural integrity of the heart and provide inotropic support, respectively. CaV1.2 channels play a significant role in the hypertrophic response post-MI. Notably, the activation of CaV1.2 channel triggers Ca2+-dependent signaling that induces hypertrophy. By contrast, the opening of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels was shown to partake in selective scar expansion following MI. Notwithstanding its expression in male hearts, KATP channels endow a sex-dependent cardioprotection limiting scar expansion selectively in females. Moreover, administration of the macrolide rapamycin to the infarcted female rat heart led to scar expansion, supporting the possible relationship between the target of rapamycin, mTORC1 and KATP channels in providing sex-specific cardioprotection. Indeed, in pancreatic-α cells, mTORC1 signaling was coupled to KATP channel activation. However, whether mTORC1 targets KATP channels in the heart remains unknown. Thus, the AIM of the thesis was to explore the role of ion channels in cardiac remodeling post-MI by specifically addressing the role of Ca channels in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and elucidate the potential relationship between KATP channels and mTORC1 signaling. The first study tested the hypothesis that hypertrophied neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) following sympathetic stimulation translated to an increase in calcium influx secondary to the augmentation of CaV1.2 channel subunits. NE treatment led to a 4-fold increase of L-type Ca2+ peak current associated with a 2-fold upregulation of CaVα2δ1 and CaVβ3 protein subunits in hypertrophied NRVMs. The hypertrophic response of NNVMs to NE was associated with the increased phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2). The β1-blocker metoprolol and the ERK1/2 inhibitor suppressed NE-mediated protein upregulation of CaVα2δ1 whereas CaVβ3 upregulation and the hypertrophic response persisted. Therefore, sympathetic mediated β1-adrenergic signaling via ERK selectively upregulated the CaVα2δ1 subunit independent of NRVM hypertrophy. The second study tested the hypothesis that rapamycin-mediated scar expansion was sexspecific and mTOR influenced KATP channel subunit expression. Rapamycin administration translated to scar expansion and inhibited mTOR phosphorylation exclusively in females. In normal adult male and female rat hearts, mTOR phosphorylation and protein levels of KATP channel subunits Kir6.2 and SUR2A were similar. However, greater tuberin inactivation and reduced raptor protein levels were detected in females. NRVMs treated with a phorbol ester induced hypertrophy, increased p70S6K phosphorylation and SUR2A protein levels and rapamycin pretreatment attenuated each response. Thus, rapamycin administration to MI rats unmasked a sex-specific pattern of scar expansion and highlighted the disparate regulation of mTOR phosphorylation. Moreover, rapamycin-dependent upregulation of SUR2A in PDButreated NRVMs revealed a novel interaction between mTOR and KATP channel subunit expression