Thesis advisor: Charles S. Hoffman / Glucose detection in yeast occurs via a cAMP signaling pathway that is similar to that of other signaling pathways in humans. The presence of glucose in the environment ultimately represses, as a result of cAMP signaling, the transcription of the gene fbp1. Adenylate cyclase is known to convert ATP to cAMP, and is thus a central protein in the propagation of the signal. Mutant forms of the adenylate cyclase gene (git2) have been found by the inability for the organism to repress fbp1 transcription in the presence of glucose. In this study, two questions were under investigation. The first was focused on the ability of the mutations to affect the dimerization of the catalytic domain. The second investigated multiple protein-protein interactions in the leucine rich-repeat (LRR) domain of adenylate cyclase. Both domains contain mutations that confer an activation defect, and they are thus are thought to have a relationship. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2005. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Biology. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Estudos demonstram que a indução do estresse oxidativo pelo peptídeo beta amiloide (A?) exerce um importante papel no desencadeamento da excitotoxicidade neuronal o que pode resultar no desenvolvimento de doenças neurodegenerativas. A formação do peptídeo A? se deve a alterações na proteína precursora de amiloide (APP) que é clivada para a formação do peptídeo A?. Por sua vez, os mecanismos de ação do A? no S.N.C. ocorrem através da sinalização do receptor NMDA (N-metil D-aspartato) receptor este que quando ativado pelo glutamato exerce importante papel fisiológico no S.N.C., visto que apresenta atividade ionotrópica que permite o influxo de Na+ e Ca2+ para as células neuronais, auxiliando nos processos de formação da memória e aprendizagem. Entretanto, apesar do seu papel fisiológico, a ativação excessiva do receptor NMDA é fortemente correlacionada com lesões no S.N.C. decorrente da excessiva permeabilidade do íon Ca2+ para o citosol das células neuronais. Com isso as concentrações de glutamato na fenda sináptica são estritamente controladas para que não haja ativação excessiva dos receptores com atividade glutamatérgica, como o receptor NMDA. Estudos indicam que o transporte de glutamina/glutamato através da barreira hematoencefálica é menor do que de outros aminoácidos, sendo que cerca de 25% a 30% do transporte de aminoácidos dos vasos sanguíneos para o cérebro através da barreira hematoencefálica é ocupado pelo aminoácido leucina, sendo este um grande responsável pela síntese de glutamato/glutamina no S.N.C. Com isso, estudos tem demonstrado que dietas enriquecidas com aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada, dentre eles a leucina, é responsável por alterar o metabolismo do glutamato e aumentar a susceptibilidade à excitotoxicidade de células neurais. A fim de testar esta hipótese utilizamos um modelo de cultura de células de neuroblastoma humano e realizamos o tratamento com diferentes concentrações de aminoácido leucina associado com o tratamento de peptídeo beta-amilóide. Realizamos as analises de citotoxicidade (LDH), viabilidade celular (MTT) e apoptose celular por citometria de fluxo (marcação com PE Anexina V e 7-AAD). Nossos resultados indicam que houve diferenças apenas entre o controle em relação aos demais grupos de tratamento / Studies demonstrate that induction of oxidative stress by beta amyloid peptide (A?) plays an important role in triggering neuronal excitotoxicity which can result in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The formation of A? peptide are due to changes in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) which is cleaved to form the peptide A?. On the other hand, the mechanisms of action of A? in the C.N.S. occur through signaling of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor that when activated by glutamate plays an important physiological role in the C.N.S., as has inotropic activity that allows the influx of Na+ and Ca2+ into the neuronal cells, assisting in procedures of memory formation and learning. However, despite its physiological role, the excessive activation of the NMDA receptor is strongly correlated with C.N.S. lesions due to excess permeability of Ca2+ ions into the cytosol of neuronal cells. Thus the concentrations of glutamate in the synaptic cleft are strictly controlled so that there is excessive activation of receptors with glutamatergic activity, as the NMDA receptor. Studies indicate that the transport of glutamine/glutamate across the blood brain barrier is lower than that of other amino acids, of which about 25% to 30% of the amino acid transport blood vessels to the brain through the blood brain barrier is occupied by leucine this being one largely responsible for the synthesis of glutamate/glutamine in the C.N.S. Thus, studies have shown that diets enriched in branched chain amino acids, including leucine, are responsible for altering the metabolism of glutamate and excitotoxic increase susceptibility to neural cells. To test this hypothesis we used a cell culture model of human neuroblastoma and carry out the treatment with different concentrations of leucine associated with the processing of amyloid-beta peptide. We performed analysis of cytotoxicity (LDH), cell viability (MTT assay) and apoptosis using flow cytometry (Annexin V staining with PE and 7-AAD). Our results indicate that there were differences only between the control compared to the other treatment groups

Halorhodospira halophila photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is a promising candidate to act as a photoswitching domain in engineered proteins due to the structural changes that occur during its photocycle. Absorption of a photon of wavelength 446 nm triggers trans to cis isomerization of its 4-hydroxycinnamic acid chromophore leading to large structural perturbations in the protein, particularly in the N-terminus. In the dark, a slower cis to trans reisomerization of the chromophore restores the protein’s native fold. The fusion of proteins to PYP’s N-terminus may therefore enable photomodulation of the activity of the attached protein. To test this hypothesis, this thesis descibes genetically encoded photoswitchable DNA-binding proteins that were developed by fusing the prototypical leucine-zipper type DNA-binding protein GCN4 bZIP to the N-terminus of PYP. Five different fusion constructs of full length or truncated GCN4 bZIP and full length PYP as well as fusion constructs of full length GCN4 bZIP and N-terminally truncated PYP mutants were designed in a structure-based approach to determine if the dimerization and DNA binding activities could be controlled by the PYP photocycle. Extensive biophysical characterization of the fusion constructs in the dark and under blue light irradiation using electronic absorption, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques were performed. As all the fusion proteins could complete photocycles, the DNA binding abilities of the dark and light-adapted states of the proteins were characterized using spectroscopic techniques as well as by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. All the fusion constructs maintained DNA-binding abilities, however they each differed in their affinities and the extent to which they were activated by blue light irradiation. The reasons for these differences in DNA-binding abilities and photoactivation are explored. Using the results from the characterization of these constructs, proposals are also made to develop more robust genetically encoded photoactivatable DNA-binding proteins of the same type.

Halorhodospira halophila photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is a promising candidate to act as a photoswitching domain in engineered proteins due to the structural changes that occur during its photocycle. Absorption of a photon of wavelength 446 nm triggers trans to cis isomerization of its 4-hydroxycinnamic acid chromophore leading to large structural perturbations in the protein, particularly in the N-terminus. In the dark, a slower cis to trans reisomerization of the chromophore restores the protein’s native fold. The fusion of proteins to PYP’s N-terminus may therefore enable photomodulation of the activity of the attached protein. To test this hypothesis, this thesis descibes genetically encoded photoswitchable DNA-binding proteins that were developed by fusing the prototypical leucine-zipper type DNA-binding protein GCN4 bZIP to the N-terminus of PYP. Five different fusion constructs of full length or truncated GCN4 bZIP and full length PYP as well as fusion constructs of full length GCN4 bZIP and N-terminally truncated PYP mutants were designed in a structure-based approach to determine if the dimerization and DNA binding activities could be controlled by the PYP photocycle. Extensive biophysical characterization of the fusion constructs in the dark and under blue light irradiation using electronic absorption, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques were performed. As all the fusion proteins could complete photocycles, the DNA binding abilities of the dark and light-adapted states of the proteins were characterized using spectroscopic techniques as well as by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. All the fusion constructs maintained DNA-binding abilities, however they each differed in their affinities and the extent to which they were activated by blue light irradiation. The reasons for these differences in DNA-binding abilities and photoactivation are explored. Using the results from the characterization of these constructs, proposals are also made to develop more robust genetically encoded photoactivatable DNA-binding proteins of the same type.

Neurofibromin (NF1) is a 2,818aa protein encoded by the very large NF1 tumour suppressor gene located on chromosome 17q11.2. Loss of function mutations and deletions in NF1 underlie Neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF-1) - the most common inherited syndrome of the nervous system in humans with a birth incidence of 1:3,000. The most visible feature of NF-1 is the neoplastic manifestations known as neurofibromas, however, the syndrome is also characterized by pigmentary defects, peripheral motor dysfunction, learning disabilities and several developmental abnormalities. The molecular etiology of many of these non-neoplastic phenotypes remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that the Tubulin Binding Domain (TBD) of NF1 is a binding partner of the Leucine Rich Pentatrico Peptide Repeat motif-Containing protein (LRPPRC) and cytoplasmic Dynein Heavy Chain (DHC). The NF1-LRPPRC interaction is of high significance as it links NF-1 with Leigh’s Syndrome, French Canadian variant (LSFC) – an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder that arises due to mutations in the LRPPRC gene. This interaction occurs as part of an RNA granule complex, and use of transgenic mouse models establishes an important role of NF1 and LRPPRC in peripheral nerve development. The NF1-DHC interaction is of importance in melanocytes where our studies suggest a possible role in melanosome localization, disruptions in which may underlie the abnormal pigmentary features known as café-au-lait macules that are commonly associated with NF-1. The validation of LRPPRC and DHC as novel NF1 interactors reveal new roles of NF1, which open the door to better understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the myriad of NF-1 manifestations.

Neurofibromin (NF1) is a 2,818aa protein encoded by the very large NF1 tumour suppressor gene located on chromosome 17q11.2. Loss of function mutations and deletions in NF1 underlie Neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF-1) - the most common inherited syndrome of the nervous system in humans with a birth incidence of 1:3,000. The most visible feature of NF-1 is the neoplastic manifestations known as neurofibromas, however, the syndrome is also characterized by pigmentary defects, peripheral motor dysfunction, learning disabilities and several developmental abnormalities. The molecular etiology of many of these non-neoplastic phenotypes remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that the Tubulin Binding Domain (TBD) of NF1 is a binding partner of the Leucine Rich Pentatrico Peptide Repeat motif-Containing protein (LRPPRC) and cytoplasmic Dynein Heavy Chain (DHC). The NF1-LRPPRC interaction is of high significance as it links NF-1 with Leigh’s Syndrome, French Canadian variant (LSFC) – an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder that arises due to mutations in the LRPPRC gene. This interaction occurs as part of an RNA granule complex, and use of transgenic mouse models establishes an important role of NF1 and LRPPRC in peripheral nerve development. The NF1-DHC interaction is of importance in melanocytes where our studies suggest a possible role in melanosome localization, disruptions in which may underlie the abnormal pigmentary features known as café-au-lait macules that are commonly associated with NF-1. The validation of LRPPRC and DHC as novel NF1 interactors reveal new roles of NF1, which open the door to better understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the myriad of NF-1 manifestations.

Leucine is a regulator of protein metabolism in vivo, and there is little information regarding its action on cardiac hypertrophy induced by experimental hyperthyroidism and its relationship to serum creatine kinase. The study aimed to verify the effect of leucine in cardiac hypertrophy and serum creatine kinase in rats with hyperthyroidism. 75 animals were used, divided into two large groups according to the length of the experiment, seven days Group (7D) and Group twenty-eight days (D 28), subsequently divided into five subgroups these being the control zero (C0-7 and C028 ) controls (C-7 and C-28), hormone (H-7 and H- 28), leucine (G-7 and G-28) and leucine + hormone (LH-7 and HL-28). Hyperthyroidism was induced by administration of daily 20&#956;g/100 grams of levothyroxine sodium in aqueous suspension by gavage. Leucine was supplemented by adding 5% of the amino conventional diet. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture and analyzes made in kits for TSH, T3, T4 and CK-NAC CK-MB. At the end of the experiment the heart was removed and weighed. Subsequently, the left ventricle was separated together with the interventricular septum and heavy, was also performed to measure the transverse diameter of cardiomyocytes and compared between groups. The exercise tolerance was measured by the swim test and the intensity was determined in 7% of the weight of the animal. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured using a sphygmomanometer to rats tail, 4/25T ADInstruments PowerLab equipment ® and ® software ADInstruments LabChart 7. In statistical comparison was used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-way post-Tukey test, considering p values <0.05. In rats treated with thyroid hormone occurs, cardiac hypertrophy with increased weight of the left ventricle, increased heart rate and elevated concentrations of CK-MB after 28 days. The association of leucine seems to modulate hormone-induced cardiac hypertrophy in this experimental model, and reduce blood concentrations of CK-NAC and CK-MB by unknown mechanisms. Thyroxine increases the swimming performance of rats after therapy for 14 and 21 days but with performance drop in 28 days. / A leucina é um regulador do metabolismo proteico in vivo, e existem poucas informações referentes à sua ação na hipertrofia cardíaca induzida pelo hipertireoidismo experimental e sua relação com a creatina quinase sérica. O estudo teve por objetivo verificar a ação da leucina na hipertrofia cardíaca e na concentração sérica de creatina quinase em ratos Wistar em hipertireoidismo. Foram utilizados 75 animais, divididos dois grandes grupos de acordo com o tempo de experimento, Grupo sete dias (7D) e Grupo vinte e oito dias (28 D), posteriormente divididos em cinco subgrupos sendo estes o controle zero (C0-7 e C028) controle (C-7 e C-28), hormônio (H-7 e H-28), leucina (L-7 e L-28) e hormônio + leucina (HL-7 e HL-28). O hipertireoidismo foi induzido administrando-se, diariamente, 20&#956;g/100 gramas de levotiroxina sódica em suspensão aquosa, por gavagem. A leucina foi suplementada adicionando-se 5% do aminoácido à ração convencional. O sangue foi coletado por punção cardíaca e as análises feitas em kits para TSH, T3, T4 CK-NAC e CK-MB. Ao final do período experimental o coração foi removido e pesado. Posteriormente, foi separado o ventrículo esquerdo juntamente com o septo interventricular e pesado, também foi realizada a medida do diâmetro transversal dos cardiomiócitos e os resultados comparados entre os grupos. A tolerância ao esforço foi medida através do teste de natação e a intensidade foi determinada em 7% do peso do animal. A pressão arterial e frequência cardíaca foram aferidas utilizando um esfignomanômetro de cauda para ratos, o equipamento PowerLab 4/25T ADInstruments® e o software LabChart 7 ADInstruments®. Na comparação estatística foi utilizada a análise de variância (ANOVA) de duas vias e pós-teste de Tukey, considerando-se significativos valores de p<0,05. Em ratos tratados com hormônio tireoidiano ocorre, hipertrofia cardíaca com aumento do peso do ventrículo esquerdo, aumento da frequência cardíaca e elevação das concentrações de CK-MB após 28 dias. A associação de leucina ao hormônio parece modular a hipertrofia cardíaca induzida neste modelo experimental, além de reduzir as concentrações sanguíneas de CK-NAC e CK-MB por mecanismos ainda desconhecidos. A tiroxina aumenta o desempenho da natação de ratos após uma terapia de 14 e 21 dias, porém com queda de performance em 28 dias. / Mestre em Ciências da Saúde

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Orientador: Michel Georges Albert Vincentz / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T14:21:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Viana_AmericoJoseCarvalho_D.pdf: 5804951 bytes, checksum: a3c65fa34ad298641a9b177952050af3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O fator de transcrição do tipo basic leucine leucine zipper (bZIP) de Arabidopsis thaliana AtbZIP63 faz parte da via de resposta a carência energética coordenada pelas quinases KIN10/11, integradoras centrais dos sinais relacionados ao estado de privação de energia. O mutante de inserção de T-DNA atbzip63-2 apresenta uma redução do crescimento e desenvolvimento das folhas assim como um atraso do florescimento em comparação ao tipo selvagem (TS, acesso Ws) quando cultivado em fotoperíodo de dia curto (10 h/14 h). Condições de fotoperíodo de dia longo ou luz contínua promoveram uma reversão parcial ou completa, respectivamente, do fenótipo mutante para o tipo selvagem, levantando a possibilidade de que este fenótipo seja o resultado de uma carência energética. Plantas silenciadas para expressão de AtbZIP63 por RNAi apresentaram características similares a do mutante atbzip63-2 confirmando o envolvimento deste fator de transcrição no crescimento. O perfil de expressão gênica e os níveis de alguns metabólitos do mutante atbzip63-2 indicaram que AtbZIP63 participa do controle da degradação do amido, pois a expressão de alguns genes centrais na degradação deste carboidrato de reserva está desregulada neste mutante. Mostramos que as oscilações no nível do transcrito AtbZIP63 são reguladas pelo relógio circadiano e a fase da oscilação do AtbZIP63 é aparentemente influenciada pela disponibilidade de carboidratos na célula. Além de estar sob o controle do relógio, AtbZIP63 também atua como um ativador direto da expressão de PRR7, que codifica um dos componentes chave do oscilador central do relógio. Portanto, evidenciamos uma interação recíproca entre o relógio e AtbZIP63 que possivelmente está impactando o processo de degradação do amido à noite. Este conjunto de evidências revela novos aspectos do ajuste do relógio circadiano pelo status de açúcar na célula que estão de acordo com trabalhos recentes mostrando que os açúcares afetam diretamente o funcionamento do relógio. Nossa hipótese é que o AtbZIP63 está agindo como um mediador entre a disponibilidade de viii açúcar e o mecanismo oscilatório do relógio circadiano de A. thaliana. Adicionalmente, verificamos que o perfil de transcritos no final do dia no mutante atbzip63-2 é diferente do observado no final da noite, sugerindo a participação do AtbZIP63 na regulação de genes envolvidos em redes regulatórias distintas em função do período do dia. Dentre os genes desregulados no atbzip63-2 no final do dia, observamos um enriquecimento para genes relacionados com metabolismo secundário e síntese de trealose, o que sugere a participação do AtbZIP63 na regulação da síntese destes compostos durante o dia, e possivelmente reflete a ocorrência de stress no mutante / Abstract: he Arabidopsis thaliana basic leucine zipper domain (bZIP) AtbZIP63 transcription factor is part of the response pathway to energy shortage coordinated by kinases KIN10/11. The T-DNA insertion mutant atbzip63-2 shows a reduction in the growth and development of leaves, as well as a delay in flowering compared to wild type (WT; ecotype Ws), when grown in short-day conditions. Long day or continuous light conditions promoted a partial or complete reversion, respectively, of the mutant to wild-type phenotype, raising the possibility that this phenotype is the result of an energy shortage. Plants silenced for AtbZIP63 showed similar characteristics to the atbzip63-2 mutant, confirming the involvement of this transcription factor in the growth. The gene expression profile and the levels of some metabolites of the atbzip63-2 indicated that AtbZIP63 takes part in the control of starch degradation, regulating the expression of some key genes in starch degradation. Diurnal AtbZIP63 mRNA level fluctuation is regulated by the circadian clock, and the phase oscillation is influenced by the availability of carbohydrates. In addition, to be controlled by the circadian clock, AtbZIP63 directly regulates the expression of PRR7 which encodes one of the key regulators of the core clock. We have therefore identified a reciprocal interaction between the clock and AtbZIP63 which is probably affecting the starch degradation process. This set of evidence reveals new aspects of the entrainment of the circadian clock by sugars, and is consistent with recent studies showing that sugars directly regulate the circadian clock. Our hypothesis is that AtbZIP63 is acting as a mediator between the energy status (availability of sugar) and the oscillatory mechanism of the A. thaliana circadian clock. Additionally, we found that the profile of transcripts at the end of the day in atbzip63-2 mutant is different from that observed in the end of the night, suggesting the involvement of AtbZIP63 in the regulation of genes involved in distinct regulatory networks according to the period of day. Among the genes deregulated in atbzip63-2 at the end of the x day, an enrichment for genes related to secondary metabolism and trehalose biosynthesis was observed. Suggesting the involvement of AtbZIP63 in regulating the synthesis of these compounds during the day, and probably reflects the occurrence of stress in the mutant / Doutorado / Genetica Vegetal e Melhoramento / Doutor em Genetica e Biologia Molecular

Orientador: Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes Marcondes / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T04:03:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Inocencio_AlineTatianeToneto_M.pdf: 4201268 bytes, checksum: d04253942aceb6648e341e3f059a1864 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O câncer-caquexia é caracterizado pelo desenvolvimento de anorexia, astenia, perda de peso, saciedade prematura, anemia e principalmente alteração no metabolismo de carboidratos, gorduras e proteínas dos pacientes com neoplasia. O aminoácido leucina atua promovendo a sinalização celular, inibindo o processo de catabolismo protéico e estimulando o processo de síntese protéica no músculo esquelético, principalmente em animais experimentais. O exercício físico proporciona alterações metabólicas voltadas, principalmente, à síntese protéica. Desse modo, estudamos os efeitos do treinamento físico associado à dieta rica em leucina sobre o processo de adaptação metabólica e hormonal durante a evolução do tumor de Walker em ratos. Ratos Wistar foram submetidos ao treinamento físico (natação por 45 minutos diários, 5 dias por semana) durante 6 semanas e após esse período receberam implante de células do carcinossarcoma de Walker 256, no subcutâneo. Após 21 dias de crescimento tumoral, os ratos foram sacrificados para obtenção de soro para determinação de glicocorticoides e catecolaminas e ressecção de tecidos e órgãos (adrenais, fígado, coração e músculo). Avaliação da cultura primária da glândula adrenal desses animais pôde-se observar a síntese de catecolaminas e liberação de citocinas, no meio de cultura, em função do crescimento tumoral modulados pelos efeitos da dieta rica em leucina associada ao exercício físico. O crescimento tumoral promoveu alterações metabólicas, bioquímicas e hormonais no hospedeiro do câncer como perda de peso e aumento de hormônios catabólicos como ACTH e glucagon. O exercício promoveu diminuição de IL-6 e INF-? no meio de cultura e aumento sérico de IL-4 e IL-10. O exercício e a suplementação com leucina proporcionaram a manutenção das concentrações plasmáticas de proteínas totais séricas e albumina, provavelmente em função da leucina, que é aminoácido conhecido como sinalizador celular e estimulador do metabolismo protéico. Nos animais tumor leucina exercitado (WLE), observamos manutenção de proteinas totais e albumina, manutenção dos níveis de ACTH e glucagon, além de diminuição nos níveis séricos de catecolaminas, em relação ao grupo LE. As análises bioquímicas, hormonais e de cultura de células mostraram que o exercício e a suplementação de leucina proporcionaram à melhora do estado caquético desses animais / Abstract: The cancer-cachexia is characterized by the development of anorexia, asthenia, weight loss, early satiety, anaemia and especially changes in the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein in these cancer patients. The amino acid leucine acts promoting cell signalling by inhibiting the protein catabolism and stimulating the protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, especially in experimental animals. The exercise provides metabolic changes mainly in protein turnover. Thus studies that concern cancer-cachexia, physical exercise and nutritional supplementation can come up with best ways to support cancer treatment. In this work we evaluated the effects of physical training associated with leucine-rich diet on the metabolic processes and hormonal changes during Walker tumour growth in rats. Wistar rats (45 days-old) were submitted to physical training (swim section for 45 minutes daily, five days a week for 6 weeks). After 6 weeks of training, the rats received subcutaneous implant of Walker carcinoma cells. After 21 days of tumour growth, animals were sacrificed and collected blood, tissues and organs (adrenal, liver, heart and muscle). Cell primary culture of adrenal gland analysed the catecholamine synthesis and cytokines release in the culture medium, which was altered under tumour growth effects and modulated by the effects of leucine-rich diet associated with exercise physical. Tumour growth promoted metabolic, biochemical and hormonal changes in host such as weight loss and increased catabolic hormones release (ACTH and glucagon). The exercise decreased IL-6 and IFN-? content in culture medium and increased IL-4 and IL-10 serum content. Exercise and leucine supplementation provided maintenance of total serum protein and albumin, probably due to leucine which is known as cell signalling and stimulates protein metabolism. In addition, tumour-bearing-exercised animals (WLE) maintained serum protein and albumin, and also the ACTH and glucagon levels, and reduced serum catecholamine levels, in relation to LE group. The biochemical analyses, hormonal and cell culture have shown that exercise and leucine supplementation could improve the cachectic state in experimental animals / Mestrado / Fisiologia / Mestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecular