A leucemia mielóide crônica (LMC) é uma doença mieloproliferativa caracterizada citogeneticamente pela presença do cromossomo Philadelfia (Ph) e molecularmente pelo neogene bcr-abl1 que codifica a oncoproteína BCR-ABL com alta atividade de tirosina-quinase. A célula leucêmica BCR-ABL+ apresenta baixa adesão ao estroma medular, resistência à apoptose e potencial mitogênico exacerbado. A LMC possui curso evolutivo trifásico (fase crônica, acelerada e blástica) e seu tratamento pode ser realizado por meio de diferentes modalidades terapêuticas, destacando-se o mesilato de imatinibe (MI) que inibe a TK BCR-ABL induzindo altas taxas de remissão citogenética dos pacientes na fase crônica da doença. Apesar do MI ser eficiente, os pacientes na fase acelerada e blástica da doença são comumente refratários a essa terapia e na fase crônica há casos de resistência ao MI descritos. Nesse contexto, potenciais novos fármacos são investigados para melhorar a eficiência da terapia da LMC. Nesse estudo, investigamos o efeito do veneno bruto (VB) e da enzima L-amino-ácido-oxidase (LAAO) da Bothrops pirajai em desencadear apoptose em células BCR-ABL+. A apoptose das células HL-60 e HL-60.BCR-ABL foi quantificada pela detecção da percentagem de células com núcleos hipodiplóides pela da citometria de fluxo e confirmada pela observação da ativação das caspases 3, 8 e 9 por western-blot. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a LAAO é capaz de induzir apoptose em células HL-60 e HL-60.BCR-ABL por ativação das vias extrínseca e intrínseca. Além disso, foi verificado que a LAAO diminui a fosforilação de BCR-ABL em células HL-60.BCR-ABL e quando associada ao MI potencializou a inibição da atividade quinase de BCR-ABL. Os dados da presente investigação indicaram ainda que a LAAO é capaz de modular a expressão de bad, bak, bax, bid, bimel, fas,fasl, a1, bcl-2, bcl-xl, bcl-w e c-flip, genes reguladores da apoptose celular. Apesar do pouco conhecimento acerca do mecanismo de ação dessa toxina, os dados obtidos sugerem que a LAAO possui o potencial de estimular a apoptose nas linhagens HL-60 e HL-60.BCR-ABL e aumentar o efeito do inibidor da atividade quinase, MI, dados relevantes para estudos futuros associados a descrição de novos fármacos contra leucemia mielóide crônica. / Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder cytogenetically characterized by the presence of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) and molecularly by bcr-abl1 neogene that encodes the BCR-ABL oncoprotein with high tyrosine kinase (TK) activity. The leukemic cell BCR-ABL+ presents poor adhesion to bone marrow stroma, resistance to apoptosis and exacerbated mitogenic potential. The CML has a three-phase course (chronic, accelerated and blastic phase) and its treatment can be performed by different therapeutic modalities, especially the imatinib mesylate (IM) that inhibits the TK BCR-ABL inducing high rates of cytogenetic remission in chronic phase. Although MI is effective, patients in accelerated and blastic phases of the disease are often refractory to this therapy and there are also cases of resistance to MI described in chronic phase. In this context, potential new drugs are investigated to improve the efficiency of the therapy of CML. In this study, we investigated the effect of crude venom (CV) and of the enzyme L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) from Bothrops pirajai in triggering apoptosis in BCR-ABL+. The apoptosis of HL-60 cells and HL-60. BCR-ABL was quantified by detecting the percentage of cells with hypodiploid nuclei by flow cytometry and confirmed by observation of the activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9 by Western blot. The results indicate that LAAO is able to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells and HL-60. BCR-ABL by activation of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Furthermore, it was found that LAAO decreases phosphorylation of BCR-ABL in HL-60 cells. BCR-ABL when associated with MI potencialized the inhibition of kinase activity of BCR-ABL. The data from this study also indicated that the LAAO is able to modulate the expression of bad, bak, bax, bid, bimel, fas, FasL, A1, bcl-2, bcl-xl, bcl-w and c-flip, regulatory genes of apoptosis. Even though there is little knowledge about the mechanism of action of this toxin, the data obtained suggests that LAAO has the potential to stimulate apoptosis in HL-60 lines and HL-60. BCR-ABL and increase the effect of the inhibitor of protein kinase activity, MI, relevant data for future studies associated with the description of new drugs against chronic myeloid leukemia.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Os venenos de serpentes contem substÃncias biologicamente ativas, primariamente consistindo de proteÃnas (90-95%). Algumas delas apresentam atividade enzimÃtica como as fosfolipases A2 e L-aminoÃcido oxidase. O presente estudo verificou a aÃÃo dos venenos de Bothrops leucurus (BleuVT) e Bothrops marajoensis (BmarVT), e suas fraÃÃes PLA2 (BleuPLA2 e BmarPLA2) e LAAO (BleuLAAO e BmarLAAO) sobre cepas de bactÃria, C. albicans, Leishmania sp e T. cruzi, bem com sua toxicidade sobre macrÃfagos murinos. A susceptibilidade das cepas bacterianas e fÃngica foi analisada atravÃs do mÃtodo de difusÃo em Ãgar, para determinaÃÃo do potencial antimicrobiano; e microdiluiÃÃo em caldo, para determinaÃÃo da CIM e CLM, com modificaÃÃes. A atividade antiparasitÃria foi avaliada atravÃs do tratamento das culturas de parasitos com diferentes concentraÃÃes dos venenos ou de suas fraÃÃes. As formas promastigotas de Leishmania sp. foram cultivadas, durante 72h, em meio NNN/Schneider a 28ÂC; e as formas epimastigotas de T. cruzi foram cultivadas em meio LIT, durante 5 dias, a 28ÂC. Os macrÃfagos foram cultivados em meio RPMI 1640, em presenÃa de diferentes concentraÃÃes dos venenos e fraÃÃes, durante 24h, e submetidos ao ensaio com MTT. Os resultados foram estatisticamente analisados atravÃs do teste t ou ANOVA seguida do teste Bonferroni, quando apropriado, com p<0.05. A BmarLAAO foi capaz de inibir o crescimento bacteriano do Gram-negativo P. aeruginosa, da levedura C. albicans e do Gram-positivo S. aureus; e o BleuTV inibiu o crescimento de S. aureus, sendo a inibiÃÃo dose-dependente. A ordem de susceptibilidade dos microorganismos testados com BmarLAAO foi S. aureus > C. albicans > P. aeruginosa. Por outro lado o BmarTV, BmarPLA2, BleuPLA2 e BleuLAAO nÃo apresentaram nenhum grau de inibiÃÃo sobre as cepas em estudo. O potencial inibitÃrio foi mais significante sobre S. aureus apresentando CIM= 50Âg/mL e CLM=200Âg/mL para BmarLAAO, e CIM=CLM=25Âg/mL para BleuTV. Em concentraÃÃes maiores que 1.56Âg/mL a BmarLAAO foi capaz de inibir o crescimento de formas promastigotas de L. chagasi e L.amazonensis, sendo os valores de IC50, apÃs 72h de cultivo, para L. amazonenis, 2.55Âg/mL e 2.86 Âg/mL para L. chagasi. BmarTV e BleuTV tambÃm apresentaram significante inibiÃÃo sobre o crescimento parasitÃrio, sendo os valores de IC50 86.56 Âg/mL para L. amazonensis e 79.02Âg/mL para L. chagasi, quando tratado com BmarTV; e 5.49Âg/mL para L. amazonensis e 1.94Âg/mL para L. chagasi, quando tratado com BleuTV. Os venenos e BmarLAAO mostraram efeito inibitÃrio sobre formas epimastigotas de T. cruzi. Os valores de IC50 para BleuTV, BmarTV e BmarLAAO foram, respectivamente, 1.14Âg/mL, 24.19Âg/mL e 0.89Âg/mL. As fraÃÃes BmarPLA2, BleuPLA2 e BleuLAAO nÃo foram capazes de promover nenhum efeito inibitÃrio sobre os parasitos em estudo. O BmarLAAO , BmarTV e BleuTV apresentaram baixa toxicidade sobre macrÃfagos nas concentraÃÃes estudadas. Em conclusÃo, os veneno de B. leucurus e de B. marajoensis, bem como a L-aminoÃcido oxidase de Bothrops marajoensis mostraram ser capazes de interferir no crescimento de diferentes microorganismos como S.aureus, C. albicans, P. aeruginosa, Leishmania sp. e T. cruzi. / Snakes venoms contain biologically active substances primarily consisting of proteins (90-95%). Some of these present enzymatic activities, such as phospholipases A2 and the L-amino acid oxidases. In this study we verify the action of Bothrops leucurus (BleuTV) and Bothrops marajoensis (BmarTV) venoms, and fractions PLA2 (BleuPLA2 and BmarPLA2) and LAAO (BleuLAAO and BmarLAAO) on strains of bacteria, yeast, Leishmania sp and T. cruzi. The susceptibility of bacterial and yeast strains was analyzed through disc-diffusion assay, for determination of antimicrobial potential; and the microdilution method, for determination of MIC and MLC, with modifications. The antiparasitic activity was evaluated through of the culture treatment of parasites with different concentrations of venoms or their fractions. The forms promastigotes of Leishmania sp. had been cultived, during 72h, in NNN/Schneider media, 28ÂC; and the forms epimastigotes of T. cruzi had been cultived in LIT media, during 5d, 28ÂC. The macrophages were cultured in RPMI 1640 media, during 24h, 37ÂC and 5% of CO2, with different concentrations of venoms or fractions. After, they were analyzed by MTT method. The results was statistically analyzed with t test or ANOVA followed the Bonferroniâs test, when appropriated, with p<0.05. The BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of gram negative P. aeruginosa, of yeast C. albicans and of gram positive S. aureus; and the BleuTV inhibited the growth of S. aureus, being the inhibitions dose-dependent. The order of susceptibility of microorganisms tested against BmarLAAO was S. aureus > C. albicans > P. aeruginosa. On the other hand the BmarTV, BmarPLA2, BleuPLA2 and BleuLAAO had not provided any degree of inhibition on strains in study. The inhibitory effect was more significant on S. aureus presenting CIM= 50Âg/mL and CLM=200Âg/mL for BmarLAAO, and CIM=CLM=25Âg/mL for the BleuTV. In concentrations greater than 1.56Âg/mL BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of promastigotes forms of L. chagasi and L.amazonensis, after 72h of culture. The IC50 values were 2.55Âg/mL for L. amazonenis, and 2.86 Âg/mL for L. chagasi. BmarTV and BleuTV also provided significant inhibition of the parasitic growth, with an IC50 value of 86.56 Âg/mL for L. amazonensis and 79.02 Âg/mL for L. chagasi, when treated with BmarTV; and 5.49Âg/mL for L. amazonensis and 1.94Âg/mL for L. chagasi, when treated with BleuTV. The venoms and BmarLAAO showed inhibitory effect on epimastigotes forms of T. cruzi. The IC50 value for BleuTV, BmarTV and BmarLAAO where, respectively 1.14Âg/mL, 24.19Âg/mL and 0.89Âg/mL.This effects presented behavior dose-dependent. The fractions BmarPLA2, BleuPLA2 and BleuLAAO had not been capable to promote any inhibition on the growth of these parasites. The BmarLAAO, BmarTV and BleuTV presented low toxicity in studied concentrations. In conclusion, the whole venoms as well as the L-amino acid oxidase from Bothrops marajoensis showed to be capable to interfere in the growth of several microorganisms as S.aureus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Leishmania sp. and T. cruzi.

@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }@font-face { font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoBodyText, li.MsoBodyText, div.MsoBodyText { margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }span.BodyTextChar { font-family: Calibri; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } A 60 kDa monomeric protein isolated from the defensive purple ink secretion of the sea hare Aplysia californica has broad antimicrobial activity in tryptone peptone rich medium. This protein, which we call ‘escapin’, belongs to an L-amino acid oxidase family. The goals of my project were 1) to determine the products of escapin’s oxidation of its main substrate L-lysine, 2) to characterize the antimicrobial effects of escapin’s products, and 3) determine bactericidal mechanisms of action of these products. Escapin is a powerful bactericidal agent against several bacteria species including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio harveyi. Escapin operates through a two-step process: 1) deamination of L-amino acids (especially L-lysine) by enzymatic activity to produce escapin intermediate products of L-lysine (EIP-K), hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia; and 2) EIP-K simultaneously reacts with hydrogen peroxide to generate escapin end products (EEP-K). EIP exists as an equilibrium mixture of the linear a-keto analogue of lysine and its cyclic forms, and the relative amount of the linear form increases with pH decreases. The powerful bactericidal effect of escapin requires the simultaneous presence of hydrogen peroxide and EIP-K in weak acidic conditions, which suggests that linear form of EIP-K with hydrogen peroxide is responsible for the bactericidal effect of escapin. Using E. coli MC4100 as a model, the mechanism of action of escapin was examined. Brief treatment with EIP-K + H2O2, but not EIP-K or H2O2 alone, causes irreversible DNA condensation with a time course similar to the bactericidal effect. A mutant strain resistant to EIP-K + H2O2 was isolated, and a single point mutation was found in the oxidative stress regulator gene (oxyR). Through a complementary assay, it was shown that wild type E. coli is conferred resistance to EIP-K + H2O2 by carrying mutated oxyR plasmid. Furthermore, in this bactericidal effect, heat or cold shock does not substitute for hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress. Thus, escapin’s powerful bactericidal effect may be through irreversible DNA condensation mediated through hydrogen peroxide generating an oxidative stress response, but the pathway mediating EIP-K’s synergistic effect is still unclear.

Snake venoms are a complex mixture of polypeptide and other molecules that adversely affect multiple homeostatic systems within their prey in a highly specific and targeted manner. Amongst the most potently toxic venoms in the world are those of the Australian venomous snakes, which belong almost exclusively to the elapid family. Their venoms posses a number of unique properties by which they target the mammalian cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems and are the focus for the identification of novel pharmacologically interesting compounds which may be of diagnostic or therapeutic benefit. Although much is known about the biochemical properties of Australia snake venoms as a whole, little research attention has focused upon individual components at the molecular level. This thesis describes the cloning, characterisation and comparative analysis of a number of unique toxins from the venom gland of the coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) and a total of seven other related Australian snakes. These include the factor X- and factor V-like components of a prothrombin activator that causes a highly coagulable state in mammals. Comparative analysis of the sequences identified in this study, along with recombinant expression of an active form of the factor X-like component, provides important information on the structural, functional and evolutionary relationships of these molecules. Numerous other toxins were similarly identified and characterised including a pseudechetoxin-like protein, multiple phospholipase A2 enzymes and neurotoxin isoforms as well as vasoactive venom natriuretic peptides. Identified transcripts included not only toxin sequences but also other cellular peptides implicated in toxin processing, including a calglandulin-like protein. This thesis is the first description of the majority of these molecules at either the cDNA or protein level, and provides a means to study the activity of individual components from snake venoms and probe their function within the systems they specifically target. This study represents the most detailed and comprehensive description to date of the cloning and characterisation of different genes associated with envenomation from Australian snakes.

A leucemia mielóide crônica (LMC) é uma doença mieloproliferativa caracterizada citogeneticamente pela presença do cromossomo Philadelfia (Ph) e molecularmente pelo neogene bcr-abl1 que codifica a oncoproteína BCR-ABL com alta atividade de tirosina-quinase. A célula leucêmica BCR-ABL+ apresenta baixa adesão ao estroma medular, resistência à apoptose e potencial mitogênico exacerbado. A LMC possui curso evolutivo trifásico (fase crônica, acelerada e blástica) e seu tratamento pode ser realizado por meio de diferentes modalidades terapêuticas, destacando-se o mesilato de imatinibe (MI) que inibe a TK BCR-ABL induzindo altas taxas de remissão citogenética dos pacientes na fase crônica da doença. Apesar do MI ser eficiente, os pacientes na fase acelerada e blástica da doença são comumente refratários a essa terapia e na fase crônica há casos de resistência ao MI descritos. Nesse contexto, potenciais novos fármacos são investigados para melhorar a eficiência da terapia da LMC. Nesse estudo, investigamos o efeito do veneno bruto (VB) e da enzima L-amino-ácido-oxidase (LAAO) da Bothrops pirajai em desencadear apoptose em células BCR-ABL+. A apoptose das células HL-60 e HL-60.BCR-ABL foi quantificada pela detecção da percentagem de células com núcleos hipodiplóides pela da citometria de fluxo e confirmada pela observação da ativação das caspases 3, 8 e 9 por western-blot. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a LAAO é capaz de induzir apoptose em células HL-60 e HL-60.BCR-ABL por ativação das vias extrínseca e intrínseca. Além disso, foi verificado que a LAAO diminui a fosforilação de BCR-ABL em células HL-60.BCR-ABL e quando associada ao MI potencializou a inibição da atividade quinase de BCR-ABL. Os dados da presente investigação indicaram ainda que a LAAO é capaz de modular a expressão de bad, bak, bax, bid, bimel, fas,fasl, a1, bcl-2, bcl-xl, bcl-w e c-flip, genes reguladores da apoptose celular. Apesar do pouco conhecimento acerca do mecanismo de ação dessa toxina, os dados obtidos sugerem que a LAAO possui o potencial de estimular a apoptose nas linhagens HL-60 e HL-60.BCR-ABL e aumentar o efeito do inibidor da atividade quinase, MI, dados relevantes para estudos futuros associados a descrição de novos fármacos contra leucemia mielóide crônica. / Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder cytogenetically characterized by the presence of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) and molecularly by bcr-abl1 neogene that encodes the BCR-ABL oncoprotein with high tyrosine kinase (TK) activity. The leukemic cell BCR-ABL+ presents poor adhesion to bone marrow stroma, resistance to apoptosis and exacerbated mitogenic potential. The CML has a three-phase course (chronic, accelerated and blastic phase) and its treatment can be performed by different therapeutic modalities, especially the imatinib mesylate (IM) that inhibits the TK BCR-ABL inducing high rates of cytogenetic remission in chronic phase. Although MI is effective, patients in accelerated and blastic phases of the disease are often refractory to this therapy and there are also cases of resistance to MI described in chronic phase. In this context, potential new drugs are investigated to improve the efficiency of the therapy of CML. In this study, we investigated the effect of crude venom (CV) and of the enzyme L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) from Bothrops pirajai in triggering apoptosis in BCR-ABL+. The apoptosis of HL-60 cells and HL-60. BCR-ABL was quantified by detecting the percentage of cells with hypodiploid nuclei by flow cytometry and confirmed by observation of the activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9 by Western blot. The results indicate that LAAO is able to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells and HL-60. BCR-ABL by activation of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Furthermore, it was found that LAAO decreases phosphorylation of BCR-ABL in HL-60 cells. BCR-ABL when associated with MI potencialized the inhibition of kinase activity of BCR-ABL. The data from this study also indicated that the LAAO is able to modulate the expression of bad, bak, bax, bid, bimel, fas, FasL, A1, bcl-2, bcl-xl, bcl-w and c-flip, regulatory genes of apoptosis. Even though there is little knowledge about the mechanism of action of this toxin, the data obtained suggests that LAAO has the potential to stimulate apoptosis in HL-60 lines and HL-60. BCR-ABL and increase the effect of the inhibitor of protein kinase activity, MI, relevant data for future studies associated with the description of new drugs against chronic myeloid leukemia.

As L-aminoácido oxidases (LAAOs) isoladas de peçonhas de serpentes são alvos de um grande número de pesquisas devido às suas inúmeras ações biológicas e farmacológicas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar funcionalmente a Laminoácido oxidase da peçonha de Calloselasma rhodostoma (CR-LAAO) por meio das atividades: bactericida, fungicida, leishmanicida, tripanomicida, citotóxica, inflamatória e análise da expressão de genes e proteínas apoptóticas. A CR-LAAO mostrou-se altamente citotóxica sobre as células tumorais HepG2 e HL-60, promovendo cerca de 80% de morte celular na maior concentração testada (100 ?g/mL) e apresentou baixa toxicidade sobre células PBMC. Foi possível observar que a proteína induziu apoptose (AV+) em PBMC. Em HepG2, as menores concentrações (0,1-2,5 ?g/mL) causaram apoptose (AV+), e as maiores (5-100 ?g/mL) causaram apoptose/necrose (PI+/AV+). Em HL-60, as concentrações testadas (0,1-100 ?g/mL) induziram apoptose/necrose (PI+/AV+). A expressão do gene FAS e ativação das caspases 8 e 3 determinou a ativação da via extrínseca da apoptose na linhagem HL-60. A CR-LAAO promoveu algumas alterações na modulação do ciclo celular, sendo que nas linhagens tumorais os atrasos se concentraram nas fases G0/G1 e S do ciclo celular. Ademais, a CR-LAAO mostrouse bactericida contra as cepas S. aureus e E. coli, com maior especificidade para a cepa gram-positiva (S. aureus). Em análises de microscopia de transmissão, foi possível observar um desmantelamento da parede celular bacteriana. Após 6h de pré-incubação com C. albicans, a CR-LAAO foi capaz de inibir 80% do crescimento da levedura. A CR-LAAO mostrou-se também um bom agente leishmanicida contra as espécies L. infantum chagasi (IC50=16,66 ?g/mL) e L. braziliensis (IC50=24,47 ?g/mL) e inibiu o crescimento da forma promastigota do Trypanosoma cruzi (IC50=196,8 ?g/mL). Testes in vivo revelaram que a CR-LAAO promoveu inflamação local aguda, recrutando células inflamatórias como neutrófilos e induzindo a formação de citocinas (IL-6 e IL-1?) e mediadores lipídicos (LTB4 e PGE2). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a CR-LAAO apresenta potencial biotecnológico evidente, com efeitos antiparasitários, fungicida, bactericida, bem como atividade antitumoral in vitro. Dessa forma, os resultados obtidos para a CR-LAAO fornecem subsídios importantes para o desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas de ação direcionada, como quimioterápicos e antimicrobianos mais eficazes. / L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) isolated from snake venoms are targets of a large number of researches due to their numerous biological and pharmacological actions. The objective of this study was to functionally characterize the L-amino acid oxidase from the venom of Calloselasma rhodostoma (CR-LAAO) through the activities: bactericidal, fungicidal, leishmanicidal, trypanocidal, cytotoxic, inflammatory and analysis of gene expression and apoptotic proteins. CR-LAAO showed high cytotoxicity in HepG2 and HL-60 tumor cells, inducing about 80% cell death at the highest concentration tested (100 ?g/mL) and showing low toxicity in PBMC cells. It was observed that the protein induced apoptosis (AV+) in PBMC. In HepG2, lower concentrations (0.1-2.5 ?g/mL) caused apoptosis (AV+), while major concentrations (5-100 ?g/mL) caused apoptosis/necrosis (PI+/AV+). In HL-60, the concentrations tested (0.1-100 ?g/mL) induced apoptosis/necrosis (PI+/AV+). The FAS gene expression and activation of caspases 8 and 3 determined the activation of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis in HL-60 cells. CR- LAAO promoted some changes in the modulation of the cell cycle, and delays in tumor cell lines were concentrated in G0/G1 and S cell cycle phases. In addition, CR-LAAO proved to be bactericidal against S. aureus and E. coli strains, with higher specificity for Gram-positive strains (S. aureus). In analyses of transmission electron microscopy, it was possible to observe a dismantling of the bacterial cell wall. After 6 hours of preincubation with C. albicans, CR-LAAO was able to inhibit 80% of growth of yeast. CR-LAAO also showed antiparasite potential against species L. chagasi infantum (IC50 = 16.66 ?g/mL) and L. braziliensis (IC50 = 24.47 ?g/mL) and inhibited the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi promastigote form (IC50 = 196.8 ?g/mL). In vivo tests revealed that CR-LAAO promotes acute local inflammation by recruiting inflammatory cells as neutrophils and by inducing the production of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1?) and lipid mediators (PGE2 and LTB4). The results suggest that CR-LAAO presents evident biotechnological potential, with antiparasite, fungicidal, bactericidal and antitumor effects in vitro. Thus, the results obtained for CR-LAAO provide important information for the development of therapeutic strategies with directed action, such as more effective chemotherapeutic and antimicrobial agents.

A leucemia mielóide crônica (LMC) é uma doença mieloproliferativa clonal caracterizada pela presença do cromossomo Philadelphia e o oncogene BCR-ABL1. Este oncogene codifica a oncoproteína Bcr-Abl com atividade tirosina-quinase constitutiva. A proteína Bcr-Abl é responsável pela resistência das células leucêmicas a apoptose. Atualmente, os pacientes com LMC são tratados com os inibidores de tirosina-quinase - mesilato de imatinibe, dasatinibe e nilotinibe. Apesar de o tratamento ser eficiente, pacientes em fases avançadas e mesmo na fase crônica da doença, apresentam resistência à terapia. Desta forma, novos fármacos devem ser investigados para melhorar o tratamento da LMC. As L-aminoácido oxidases (LAAOs) têm sido descritas como substâncias citotóxicas e indutoras de apoptose. Assim, o principal objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o potencial antitumoral da LAAO isolada da serpente Calloselasma rhodostoma (CR-LAAO) nas células Bcr-Abl positivas. Avaliou-se a citotoxicidade da CR-LAAO nas linhagens HL-60 (linhagem Bcr-Abl negativa), HL-60.Bcr-Abl, K562 e KCL22 (linhagens Bcr-Abl positivas) e nas células mononucleares (MNC) de sangue periférico de indivíduos saudáveis, na presença ou ausência da catalase. Para investigar os mecanismos da ação citotóxica da CR-LAAO, realizou-se os ensaios de indução de apoptose por meio da quantificação das percentagens de núcleos hipodiplóides e anexina V-FITC, nas linhagens celulares e nas células MNC de indivíduos saudáveis e pacientes com LMC. Avaliou-se também os níveis de expressão das caspases 3, 8 e 9, o potencial de membrana mitocondrial, danos no DNA e o efeito apoptótico da toxina combinada com os inibidores de tirosina-quinase nas linhagens Bcr-Abl positivas. Além disso, investigamos se a CR-LAAO foi capaz de modular a expressão dos apoptomiRs miR-15a, miR-16, miR-145, miR-26a, hsa-let-7d, miR-142-3p, miR-29c, miR-146a, miR-21, miR-130a e miR-130b, assim como das proteínas pro- e anti-apoptóticas Bak, Bax, Bid, Bim, A1, Bcl-2, c-Flip, Ciap-2 e Mcl-1 nas linhagens Bcr-Abl positivas. Nossos resultados mostraram que o efeito citotóxico da CR-LAAO foi mais potente nas linhagens Bcr-Abl positivas em relação às células MNC de indivíduos saudáveis, e está associado ao peróxido de hidrogênio produzido durante a reação enzimática da CR-LAAO. Demonstrou-se também que a CR-LAAO induziu apoptose nas linhagens Bcr-Abl postivas testadas e nas células MNC de pacientes com LMC na fase crônica da doença. Em todas as linhagens celulares detectou-se danos no DNA, perda do potencial de membrana e ativação das caspases 3, 8 e 9. A percentagem de apoptose aumentou quando as células HL-60.Bcr-Abl foram tratadas com a CR-LAAO combinada com os inibidores de tirosina-quinase. A CR-LAAO modulou a expressão dos apoptomiRs miR-15a, miR-16, miR-145, miR-26a, hsa-let-7d, miR-142-3p, miR-29c, miR-21, miR-130a e miR-130b e de possíveis proteínas alvos nas linhagens Bcr-Abl positivas. Sendo assim, os resultados obtidos sugerem que a CR-LAAO apresenta uma ação antitumoral capaz de destruir as células leucêmicas / Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disease characterized by the presence of Philadelphia chromosome and BCR-ABL1 oncogene. This oncogene encodes the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase (TK) which presents a constitutive activity. The Bcr-Abl is responsible for leukemic cells resistance to apoptosis. The CML patients are currently treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) - imatinib mesylate, dasatinib and nilotinib. Although TKI are efficient for CML treatment, patients in advanced phases and even in chronic phase of the disease present resistance to therapy. Thus, potential new drugs must be investigated to improve the CML treatment. The L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) have been described as cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing substances. Here, we investigated the LAAO from Calloselasma rhodostoma (CR-LAAO) antitumoral potential against Bcr-Abl positive cells. We evaluated the CR-LAAO cytotoxic effect against HL-60 (Bcr-Abl negative cell line), HL-60.Bcr-Abl, K562, KCL22 (Bcr-Abl positive cell lines) and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy subjects, in the presence or absence of catalase. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the CR-LAAO cytotoxic action, we performed the apoptosis induction assays through the hypodiploid nuclei and annexin-V quantification in the cell lines and PBMC from healthy subjects and CML patients. We also evaluated the levels of caspases 3, 8 and 9 expression, the mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA damage and the apoptotic effect of CR-LAAO combined with TKI on Bcr-Abl positive cells. In addition we investigated if CR-LAAO was capable of modulating the apoptomiRs miR-15a, miR-16, miR-29c, hsa-let-7d, miR-145, miR-146a, miR-21, miR-130a, miR-130b, miR-142-3p and miR-26a, the pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins (Bak, Bax, Bid, Bim, A1, Bcl-2, c-Flip, Ciap-2 and Mcl-1 expression in HL-60, HL-60.Bcr-Abl, K562 and KCL22 cells. Our results showed that the CR-LAAO cytotoxic effect was more potent in Bcr-Abl positive cell lines than in PBMC from healthy subjects and it is linked to hydrogen peroxide produced during the enzymatic action of CR-LAAO. It was also demonstrated that CR-LAAO was capable of inducing apoptosis in Bcr-Abl positive cell lines and CML patient\'s cells in chronic phase of the disease. In all tested cell lines, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA damage and caspases 3, 8 and 9 activation were detected. The apoptosis percentage was improved when HL-60.Bcr-Abl cells were treated with CR-LAAO combined with TKI. The CR-LAAO modulated the apoptomiRs miR-15a, miR-16, miR-145, miR-26a, hsa-let-7d, miR-142-3p, miR-29c, miR-21, miR-130a and miR-130b expression as well the predict target proteins levels on Bcr-Abl positive cells. Thus, our results suggest that CR-LAAO presents an antitumoral action capable of destroying the CML cells.

O tratamento atual indicado para casos de envenenamentos por peçonhas é a administração intravenosa de antivenenos, produzidos através da hiperimunização de animais. Entretanto, os antivenenos disponíveis podem, algumas vezes, não proteger os pacientes e causar reações de hipersensibilidade. Fosfolipases A2 (PLA2), L-aminoácido oxidases (LAAO), metalo e serinoproteases são os principais componentes de peçonhas ofídicas e contribuem para a neurotoxicidade, hemorragia, hemólise, miotoxicidade, cardiotoxicidade e formação de edemas. Foram empregados ensaios para avaliar as atividades das enzimas presentes na peçonha de serpentes da espécie Lachesis muta rhombeata e aquele para atividade de protease foi otimizado. A tecnologia de Phage display foi empregada para a seleção de fagos-anticorpos capazes de reconhecer a peçonha bruta. Os fagos foram amplificados em Escherichia coli TG1 e usados para infectar E. coli HB2151, a qual produz fragmentos de anticorpos humanos solúveis. Estes foram purificados e utilizados em testes de inibição de alguns dos componentes tóxicos da peçonha. Os testes de atividade para PLA2, protease e Laminoácido oxidase foram padronizados com sucesso e as 3 proteínas mostraram elevada atividade enzimática. Após otimização, a quantidade de peçonha necessária para o ensaio de protease foi reduzida em 25 vezes. A massa molecular de PLA2 foi estimada em 17 kDa e as massas moleculares de proteases foram estimadas em 40, 35 e 24 kDa, através de zimogramas. O método de bio panning foi eficiente para a seleção de fagos-anticorpos contra a peçonha bruta. Diversos fragmentos de anticorpos foram purificados e incubados com a peçonha bruta para testar suas capacidades de neutralização sobre cada enzima. Cinco clones demonstraram-se hábeis em inibir a PLA2 através da inibição da hemólise. O clone 4E inibiu 100% da hemólise durante as duas horas de ensaio quando pré-incubado na proporção 2:1 (scFv:peçonha). Os clones 2C e 4E inibiram 100% durante uma hora quando pré-incubados na proporção 1:1 e os clones 2F e 9F inibiram a hemólise parcialmente. Outros testes serão conduzidos para a seleção de clones capazes de neutralizar as demais enzimas, os quais, juntamente com os clones já selecionados, serão analisados através de ensaios in vivo. Espera-se que eles possam contribuir para a construção de um novo antiveneno capaz de superar algumas das dificuldades associadas às técnicas de imunoterapia convencionais / The current treatment for animal envenoming is the intravenous administration of antivenoms, produced by animal hyperimmunization. Unfortunately, available antivenoms sometimes do not protect patients and may cause hypersensitivity reactions. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2), L-amino acid oxidases, metallo and serine proteases are considered the most important snake venom components and contribute to neurotoxicity, hemorrhage, hemolysis, myotoxicity, edematogeny and cardiotoxicity. Assays for evaluating the enzymes present in Lachesis muta rhombeata venom were developed and the protease one was optimized. Phage display technology was used to select phage antibodies able to recognize the crude venom. Phages were amplified in Escherichia coli TG1 and used to infect E. coli HB2151, which produces human antibody fragments. Inhibition tests aiming the neutralization of some toxic components of the venom were performed using purified antibody fragments. Activity assays for evaluating PLA2, protease and L-aminoacid oxidase were successfully performed and all enzymes showed high activity levels. The molecular mass of PLA2 was estimated in 17 kDa and the molecular mass of proteases were estimated in 40, 35 and 24 kDa, by zymography. After optimizing the conditions for proteolytic assay, it was possible to use 25 times less venom than it was necessary at first. The bio panning method was efficient for selecting specific phage antibodies against the crude venom. Several clones were selected to infect HB2151 and to produce soluble antibody fragments, which were purified and incubated with the venom to test their inhibition capacity over each enzyme. Five clones demonstrated ability to neutralize PLA2 by inhibiting hemolysis. The clone 4E could inhibit 100% of hemolysis for over 2 hours when preincubated at the ratio 2:1 (scFv:venom). Clones 2C and 4E could inhibit 100% for 1 hour when preincubated at the ratio 1:1 and clones 2F e 9F could inhibit partially. Other tests will be performed to select clones able to neutralize other enzymes and, together with the clones already selected, will be evaluated by in vivo experiments. It is expected that they may contribute to the construction of a potential new antivenom able to overcome some of the problems associated with conventional immunotherapy