Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work examined the effectiveness of Cu pre-exposition on biochemical and behavioral changes induced by Hg exposure in young rats treated subcutaneously with saline or CuCl2.2H2O (Cu 2.6 mg/kg/day) from 3 to 7 days old and with saline or HgCl2 (Hg 3.7 mg/kg/day) from 8 to 12 days old. Tissue samples from animals killed 24 h or 21 days after the end of mercury exposure (13 or 33 days old) were used to analyze of blood, liver, kidney and cerebrum δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity; cerebrum and cerebellum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity; biochemical parameters indicative of hepatic and renal toxicity; and to determination of hepatic and renal metallothionein and metal levels (Hg, Cu, Zn, Fe e Mg) in all tissues studied. The animals also were submitted to behavioral tasks: negative geotaxis task (3, 5. 7, 9, 11 and 13 days old), tail immersion (13, 20 and 27 days old), rotarod tests (25 and 30 days old) and beaker test (17 to 20 days old). Mercury exposure reduced body and cerebrum and increased kidney weight; inhibited the hepatic and renal δ-ALA-D, cerebellum AChE and serum LDH activity; and increased serum urea and creatinine and hepatic MT levels at 13 days. The Hg effect persisted on body and renal weight, renal δ-ALA-D activity and urea levels checked after 33 days. Still, Hg exposure caused accumulation of this metal in all tissues analyzed; increased hepatic Zn and Fe levels; and decreased renal Fe and increased Cu levels at 13 days. The effect persisted on hepatic Hg levels; and renal Hg and Fe levels. In addition, a decrease in the liver weight and renal Mg levels; and increase in the cerebrum and cerebellum Zn levels were observed only at 33 days. In behavioral tasks, rats exposed to Hg presented impartment in motor function and muscular strength verified in the negative geotaxis task and beaker test. The Cu effectiveness as preventive treatment was immediate on parameters such as cerebellum AChE activity, serum creatinine levels, Hg content and homeostasis of hepatic Fe levels. The prevention of altered parameters as body, Kidney and liver weight, renal δ-ALA-D activity, serum urea levels and homeostasis of renal Fe and Mg levels were verified at 33 days. Behavioral changes were completely prevented by Cu pre-exposure. Moreover, Cu pre-exposure caused an important redistribution of Hg decreasing hepatic and sanguine Hg levels and increasing renal levels of 13-day-old rats. This effect occurred in parallel with an increase in MT levels in liver and kidney, suggesting that hepatic MT can bind to Hg and transporting this metal to the kidney in order to be excreted. The results of the present study suggest that Cu can be considered as potential preventive therapeutic agent against Hg toxicity, even when were evaluated later. / Este trabalho investigou o efeito preventivo do cobre contra as alterações bioquímicas e comportamentais induzidas pelo mercúrio em ratos tratados subcutaneamente com salina ou CuCl2.2H2O (Cu 2,6 mg/kg/dia) do 3o ao 7o e com salina ou HgCl2 (Hg 3,7 mg/kg/dia) do 8o ao 12o dia de idade. Amostras teciduais de animais mortos 24 h ou 21 dias após o término da exposição ao mercúrio (13 ou 33 dias de idade) foram utilizadas para a análise da atividade das enzimas δ-aminolevulinato desidratase (δ-ALA-D) de sangue, fígado, rim e cérebro; acetilcolinesterase (AChE) de cérebro e cerebelo; parâmetros bioquímicos indicativos de toxicidade hepática e renal; e para a quantificação dos níveis de metalotioneínas (MT) hepática e renal e de metais (Hg, Cu, Zn, Fe e Mg) nos diferentes tecidos. Os animais foram submetidos às tarefas comportamentais: geotactismo negativo (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 e 13 dias de idade), imersão da cauda (13, 20 e 27 dias de idade), teste do béquer (17 aos 20 dias de idade) e locomoção forçada em cilindro giratório (25 e 30 dias de idade). A exposição ao mercúrio reduziu o peso corporal e cerebral e aumentou o peso renal; inibiu a atividade das enzimas δ-ALA-D hepática e renal, AChE de cerebelo e LDH sérica; e aumentou os níveis de uréia e creatinina sérica e MT hepática aos 13 dias. O efeito do mercúrio persistiu sobre o peso corporal e renal, a atividade da δ-ALA-D renal e níveis de uréia verificados aos 33 dias. Ainda, a exposição ao mercúrio causou um acúmulo deste metal em todos os tecidos analisados; aumentou os níveis de Zn e Fe hepático; e diminuiu os níveis de Fe e aumentou os níveis de Cu renal aos 13 dias. O efeito persistiu sobre os níveis de Hg hepático e sobre os níveis de Hg e Fe renal. Além disso, um decréscimo no peso de fígado e nos níveis de Mg renal e um aumento nos níveis de Zn em cérebro e cerebelo foram observados somente aos 33 dias. Em relação às tarefas comportamentais, ratos expostos ao Hg apresentaram prejuízo na função motora e força muscular verificados nos testes do geotactismo negativo e teste do béquer. A eficiência do cobre como tratamento preventivo foi imediata em parâmetros como atividade da AChE de cerebelo, níveis de creatinina sérica, conteúdo de Hg e homeostase dos níveis de Fe hepático. A prevenção das alterações sobre o peso corporal, renal e hepático, atividade da -ALA-D renal, níveis de ureia sérica e homeostase dos níveis renais de Fe e Mg foram observados aos 33 dias. Alterações comportamentais foram totalmente prevenidas. Além disso, a pré-exposição ao cobre causou uma redistribuição do mercúrio, decrescendo os níveis de Hg hepático e sanguíneos e aumentando os níveis renais aos 13 dias. Este efeito ocorreu em paralelo a um aumento dos níveis de MT hepática e renal, sugerindo que a MT hepática pode ligar-se ao Hg e transportar o metal tóxico para o rim a fim de ser excretado. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que o cobre pode ser considerado um potencial agente terapêutico em casos de intoxicação por mercúrio, mesmo quando avaliado tardiamente.

Head and neck cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide with an estimated annual global incidence of over 500 000 cases. These malignant tumours develop in the mucosal linings of the upper respiratory tract or in the salivary glands. The most common sites are in the oral cavity and larynx. Treatment modalities comprising surgery and chemoradiotherapy have improved significantly during the last 20 years, but not the long-term survival of patients. The aim of this thesis was to study the different factors affecting tumour growth in head and neck cancer that may have clinical implications in the future. Factors involving apoptosis, cell cycle activity, inflammation, and enzyme activity were of special interest. The results of the thesis indicate that patients with malignant salivary gland tumours having the lowest level of actively replicating cells have the best prognosis. The largest amount of replicating cells in tongue cancer specimens was found in the peripheral areas of tumour nests. Metallothionein, a protein that can hinder apoptosis, was found in excess in the same areas, whereas apoptosis activity was considerably lower. Taken together, these results indicate that the most aggressive cancer cells are found in the peripheral areas of tumours where apoptosis may be hindered. The expression of the death receptor Fas was higher in tongue cancer specimens than in normal mucosa. The expression of this receptor was studied further in two cell lines established from oral cancers. When a low dose of cisplatin was added to cell cultures, the Fas expression was enhanced in both cell lines and, furthermore, the Fas-induced apoptosis was increased in one of the cell lines. The results show that a common chemotherapeutic drug given in a low, less toxic dose may enhance receptor-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells. Malignant solid tumours are often distinguished by an increased proteolytic activity resulting in invasive growth, neo-angiogenesis, and metastases. This activity is conducted by enzymes that are secreted from tumour cells, or from normal cells in the tumour microenvironment. The regulation of enzyme secretion may be mediated by cytokines, small signalling molecules also present in cancer tissue. The results of this thesis show that two cytokines can synergistically induce enzyme secretion (matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9) from oral cancer cells. Cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha and hepatocyte growth factor added alone to cell cultures strongly stimulated secretion of these enzymes. Thus, the tested cytokines, which are commonly secreted by fibroblasts and immune cells, may promote tumour growth. This thesis has contributed to an increased understanding of factors affecting tumour growth in head and neck cancer. The upcoming cancer therapies will be based on the increasing knowledge of these and other aberrant cellular mechanisms that may vary between different cancer forms.

Le sol est essentiel à toute société humaine notamment pour la production d'aliments. Son fonctionnement repose sur des réseaux d'interactions entre les éléments qui le composent et toute perturbation modifie ces réseaux. Les microorganismes eucaryotes représentent une composante importante de l'écosystème édaphique car ils sont impliqués dans des processus essentiels comme la régulation de populations de procaryotes. Mais paradoxalement, ils restent peu étudiés comparés aux bactéries notamment lorsqu'on s'intéresse aux cycles biogéochimiques autres que celui du carbone comme par exemple ceux des métaux. Suite à une pollution par des métaux, certains de ces microorganismes eucaryotes développent des mécanismes « de résistance » cellulaires. Dans ce contexte, le laboratoire d'accueil a isolé, directement à partir d'extraits d'ARN de sol, des gènes eucaryotes impliqués dans la résistance cellulaire au Cd. Ces nouveaux gènes forment une famille codant des protéines riches en cystéines dont les positions sont conservées au sein de cette famille. Mon projet de thèse a eu pour but de caractériser l'origine taxonomique et la fonction de cette famille de gènes. Dans un premier temps, la purification de cinq de ces protéines produites dans Escherichia coli et leurs caractérisations biochimiques par des méthodes spectrométriques ont permis de montrer que cette famille génique constitue une nouvelle famille de métallothionéines capables de chélater in vitro le Zn, le Cu et le Cd. Dans un second temps, une méthode de quantification par PCR quantitative de l'expression de ces gènes, extraits à partir de sol provenant de microcosmes, a été mise au point. Dans un troisième temps, nous avons tenté d'obtenir les régions génomiques bordant ces gènes environnementaux afin d'affilier les organismes qui les portent à un groupe taxonomique et d'analyser les régions promotrices de ces gènes par capture ciblée de gènes / Soil is essential to human societies, especially for food production. Its functioning relies on interaction networks sensitive to environmental alterations. Eukaryotic microorganisms are an important component of the soil ecosystem where they are involved in essential processes such as the regulation of prokaryotic populations. However, they remain poorly studied compared to bacteria, especially concerning their roles in biogeochemical cycles other than the carbon one such as metal cycles. In response to soil metal contamination, some of these eukaryotic microorganisms develop cellular "resistance" mechanisms. In this context, the host laboratory has previously isolated, directly from soils, eukaryotic genes able to confer Cd resistance. These genes form a family coding for cysteine-rich proteins whose cysteine positions are conserved within this sequences. My thesis project aimed at characterizing the function and taxonomic origin of this gene family. First, the purification of five of these proteins produced in Escherichia coli and their biochemical characterizations by spectrometric methods demonstrated that this gene family constitutes a new family of metallothioneins capable of chelating in vitro Zn, Cu and Cd. Some of these proteins are also able to confer Zn resistance when expressed in a sensitive yeast strain. In a second step, quantitative PCR methods for measuring expression levels of these genes in soil microcosms were developed. This will allow to evaluate the level of expression of these genes as a function of an increasing supply of exogenous metal. In a third step, we tried to obtain the genomic regions flanking these environmental genes in order to be able to associate the organisms from which they originate to a taxonomic group and to analyze the promoter regions of these genes using targeted capture

No description available.

Szeto Tsz Kwan Leo. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-120). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Heavy metals contaminations in Shing Mun River --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Importance of copper regulation and role of liverin copper metabolism --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Role of copper --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Toxicity due to unbalanced copper regulation --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Function of liver in copper detoxification --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2 --- Aims and rationale of this research --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Heavy metal concentrations of tilapia samples collected from Shing Mun River --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Sampling sites - Fo Tan and Siu Lek Yuen Nullah --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Tilapia samples collected from the sites --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Tilapia as a study model --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Bioavailability of heavy metals in water --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Metal content in liver --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Aim of this chapter --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Collection of control and field samples --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Heavy metal concentrations determination --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Homogenization of liver cells --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Subcellular fractionation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Determination of copper and zinc content in each subcellular fraction --- p.253 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Physical data --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Metal concentrations in liver and muscle --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Copper and zinc subcellular distribution in liver cell --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Difference in metal concentration between sites --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Copper contamination in water and fish organ (muscle and liver) from the Shing Mun River --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Comparison of metal content in muscle and liver at Fo Tan site with previous studies --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Copper and zinc concentrations in the liver of tilapia --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Copper and zinc sebcellular distribution in the liver of tilapia --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Column chromatography of hepatic proteins from tilapias --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1 --- Transport of metals from circulatory system to liver --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Copper transporting plasma proteins in vertebrates --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Copper uptake into hepatocytes --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Intracellular metabolism of copper --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Mechanism of copper toxicity following excess accumulation --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Aim of this chapter --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Purification of liver cytosolic proteins by gel-filtration column chromatography --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Copper content detection in elution --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Analysis of peaks from elution profile using tricine gel SDS PAGE --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Gel-filtration liquid chromatography elution profiles --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- SDS PAGE analysis of peaks in elution profiles --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Comparison of gel filtration profiles of sample liver cytosol between sites and sexes --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Possible proteins in peaks found in the gel filtration profiles --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Common copper-indeced proteins --- p.67 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.70 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Two-dimensional electrophoresis of hepatic cutosol of tilapias caught from Shing Mun River and copper-treated HEPA T1 cell --- p.72 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.72 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- The need of ´بin vitro' experiment --- p.72 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Choice of cell line --- p.73 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Aim of this chapter --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- HEPA T1 cell cultivation --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Copper exposure of HEPA T1 cell --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Subcellular protein extraction of the copper-treated HEPA T1 cells --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Bicinchoninic Acidic (BCA) Protein Assay --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis --- p.79 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Graphical presentation of spots observed on 2-dimensional gel of field samples and copper-injected samples --- p.33 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Graphical presentation of spots detected on 2-dimensional gel of HEPAT1 cells --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Comparison of matched spots on 2-dimensional gels among control and copper-treated HEPAT1 cells --- p.97 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.105 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Comparison of the spot patterns between field sample and copperOtreated HEPA T1 cells --- p.105 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.107 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General Discussions --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2 --- Research Overview --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2 --- Characterization of metal binding proteins from the cytosol of liver of tilapia --- p.109 / REFERENCES --- p.112

O diagnóstico precoce dos Segundos Tumores Primários (STP) em pacientes já tratados por um carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço deve ser realizado, pois possibilita um tratamento resolutivo com baixa morbidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar se a cromoscopia com Lugol permite uma melhora na identificação de lesões malignas ou pré malignas em fases iniciais na boca e orofaringe, bem como se a imunoexpressão do p53 e da Metalotioneína no tumor índice predizem o aparecimento de um STP. Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo onde dois grupos comparáveis de portadores de carcinoma epidermóide de cabeça e pescoço foram formados (um com 106 pacientes e outro com 105 pacientes). Foram acompanhados durante um período médio de 25 meses aproximadamente. No primeiro grupo (grupo A) não foram utilizados corantes, já no segundo (grupo B) utilizou-se o Lugol. Foi observado um número de diagnósticos 200% maior no grupo em que foi utilizada a coloração de Lugol (grupo B) em relação ao grupo A. A imunoexpressão aumentada do p53 no tumor índice foi estatisticamente significante quando o paciente desenvolveu um segundo tumor primário diagnosticado pelo Lugol, não visível sem o corante, o que não ocorreu com a metalotioneína. / The early diagnosis of seconds primary tumors (STP) in patients already treated for carcinoma of the head and neck should be done, because enables a resolutive treatment with low morbidity. The objective of this paper is to evaluate whether chromoscopia using Lugols solution allows an improvement in the identification of malignant or pre malignant lesions in early stages in the mouth and oropharynx, and whether the expression of P53 and metallothionein in tumor index predict the emergence of a STP. A prospective study was conducted, where two groups statistically similar of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (one with 106 patients and another with 105 patients) were followed-up for a median period of 25 months, approximately. In the first group dyes were not used, and in the second Lugols solution was employed. It was observed a number of diagnoses 100%i higher in the group that Lugols solution was used. The increasing of P53 expression in tumor index was statistically significant when the patient developed a second primary tumor diagnosed by Lugol, not visible without dye, which has not occurred with metallothionein.

O emprego de novas tecnologias, como a transgenia, associadas ao melhoramento convencional de cana-de-açúcar apresenta grande potencial no combate a pragas e desenvolvimento de novas variedades. Entretanto, a falta de especificidade na expressão temporal e/ou local dos genes introduzidos tem se mostrado um fator limitante para o sucesso de produtos derivados da transgenia. Os promotores das metalotioneínas, por exemplo, podem representar uma alternativa ao uso de promotores constitutivos, particularmente, aqueles de metalotioneínas do tipo 1 (MT1) por apresentarem níveis elevados de expressão, em diferentes tecidos/órgãos e serem responsivos a estresses bióticos e abióticos. O uso de promotores sintéticos, contendo apenas elementos-cis, como GCG-like, W boxes e JERE, tem sido relevante por induzirem a expressão gênica local em resposta ao ataque de agentes bióticos. Este trabalho teve por objetivo a caracterização funcional de promotores de genes de metalotioneínas de cana-de-açúcar e o uso de elementos regulatórios sintéticos e, em paralelo, avaliou-se o uso de promotores sintéticos no controle da expressão gênica em cana-de-açúcar. Após as análises de expressão transiente, verificou-se que o promotor SoMT1b apresentou atividade GUS e GFP em epitélios de cebola e os promotores sintéticos, 4X Wbox, 4X GCC-like, 4X JERE e 4xW 4xS-box, e o promotor SoMT1b foram capazes de dirigir a expressão do gene repórter uidA (GUS) em calos embriogênicos de cana-de-açúcar. Em análise de expressão estável, o promotor SoMT1b foi capaz de dirigir a expressão do gene GUS para os frutos e sementes de tomate \'Micro-Tom\', mas não foi responsivo a estresse por herbivoria, cádmio e cobre. Também foi realizada a transformação de plantas de cana-de-açúcar, as quais ainda estão sendo analisadas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram a funcionalidade do promotor SoMT1b / New technologies, like genetic transformation, associated with conventional breeding of sugarcane have a large potential in developing new varieties tolerant to biotic and abiotic stress. However, the lack of specificity in the spatial and/or temporal expression of the introduced genes has been a limited factor for the success of products derived from transgeny. Metallothionein promoters, for instance, can represent an alternative to the use of constitutive promoters, particularly those from metallothionein type 1 (MT1) because they present high expression levels in different tissues / organs and are responsive to biotic and abiotic stress. Another alternative is the use of synthetic promoters which contain only cis elements, as GCG-like, W-box and JERE, which induces local gene expression in response to pathogen attack. In this work, we aimed to make the functional characterization of sugarcane metallothionein promoters and synthetic regulatory elements, in parallel, we evaluated the use of synthetic promoters in the control of gene expression in sugarcane. After transient expression analyzis, it was found that SoMT1b promoter was able to control the expression of the reporter genes to GUS and GFP in onion epithelium and GUS in sugarcane embryogenic calli. Additionally, synthetic promoters 4X Wbox, 4X GCC-like, 4X JERE and 4xW 4xS-box were able to direct the expression of the gene uidA (GUS) in embryogenic calli of sugarcane. In stable transformation analysis, SoMT1b promoter was capable of directing uidA expression in fruits and seeds of tomato cv. \'Micro-Tom\', but it was not responsive to herbivory, cadmium and copper stress. It was also carried out the transformation of sugarcane plants with the construction containing the SoMT1b promoter, but these are still being analyzed. The results demonstrate the functionality of the SoMT1b promoter in sugarcane and tomato

O diagnóstico precoce dos Segundos Tumores Primários (STP) em pacientes já tratados por um carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço deve ser realizado, pois possibilita um tratamento resolutivo com baixa morbidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar se a cromoscopia com Lugol permite uma melhora na identificação de lesões malignas ou pré malignas em fases iniciais na boca e orofaringe, bem como se a imunoexpressão do p53 e da Metalotioneína no tumor índice predizem o aparecimento de um STP. Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo onde dois grupos comparáveis de portadores de carcinoma epidermóide de cabeça e pescoço foram formados (um com 106 pacientes e outro com 105 pacientes). Foram acompanhados durante um período médio de 25 meses aproximadamente. No primeiro grupo (grupo A) não foram utilizados corantes, já no segundo (grupo B) utilizou-se o Lugol. Foi observado um número de diagnósticos 200% maior no grupo em que foi utilizada a coloração de Lugol (grupo B) em relação ao grupo A. A imunoexpressão aumentada do p53 no tumor índice foi estatisticamente significante quando o paciente desenvolveu um segundo tumor primário diagnosticado pelo Lugol, não visível sem o corante, o que não ocorreu com a metalotioneína. / The early diagnosis of seconds primary tumors (STP) in patients already treated for carcinoma of the head and neck should be done, because enables a resolutive treatment with low morbidity. The objective of this paper is to evaluate whether chromoscopia using Lugols solution allows an improvement in the identification of malignant or pre malignant lesions in early stages in the mouth and oropharynx, and whether the expression of P53 and metallothionein in tumor index predict the emergence of a STP. A prospective study was conducted, where two groups statistically similar of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (one with 106 patients and another with 105 patients) were followed-up for a median period of 25 months, approximately. In the first group dyes were not used, and in the second Lugols solution was employed. It was observed a number of diagnoses 100%i higher in the group that Lugols solution was used. The increasing of P53 expression in tumor index was statistically significant when the patient developed a second primary tumor diagnosed by Lugol, not visible without dye, which has not occurred with metallothionein.

En aquest treball es caracteriza per primera vegada la capacitat de coordinació metàl·lica d'una metal·lotineïna (MT) de planta i es proposa un model de plegament per a les MTs de planta en general. Els resultat mostren que aquestes proteïnes poden tenir un paper molt important en la regulació de l'estat redox de les cèl·lules, probablement a través de la coordinació a Cu.Les MTs de planta són proteïnes molt desconegudes. Es postula que participen en l'homeòstasi del Cu i en la protecció contra l'estrès oxidatiu, però es desconeix la capacitat de coordinació metàl·lica i el plegament. En aquest treball s'han estudiat una metal·lotioneïna d'alzina surera, QsMT, aïllada d'una llibreria de cDNA de fel·lema. Els objectius concrets han estat: (1) estudiar l'expressió de QsMT i la resposta a l'estrès oxidatiu; (2) determinar la capacitat de coordinació metàl·lica i la funcionalitat in vivo; (3) fer una aproximació al plegament de les MTs de planta. L'expressió del gen s'ha estudiat mitjançant hibridació in situ en plàntules i en embrions d'alzina surera. QsMT s'expressa majoritàriament en cèl·lules amb fort estrès oxidatiu, associat a la síntesi de polifenols (suberització i lignificació) i a la senescència. També s'expressa en cèl·lules meristemàtiques, cèl·lules en divisió molt activa on la funció de les MTs podria estar relacionada amb el manteniment de l'estat redox. L'aplicació d'estrès oxidatiu exogen (H2O2 i paraquat) incrementa fortament l'expressió de QsMT en teixits amb expressió constitutiva, confirmant la regulació de l'expressió del gen per estrès oxidatiu.Per l'estudi de les propietats de coordinació metàl·lica es va expressar QsMT en cèl·lules d'E. coli en medi de cultiu suplementat amb Cu, Zn o Cd. Es van aïllar els agregats metàl·lics corresponents i es van analitzar mitjançant tècniques espectroscòpiques i espectromètriques (ICP-OES, ESI-MS i CD). Els resultats mostren que QsMT coordina de forma estable Cu (8 ions metàl·lics/molècula), Zn (4 ions de Zn/molècula) i Cd (6 ions de Cd/molècula), i adopta una estructura especialment quiral en coordinació a Cu. L'elevada capacitat quelant de la proteïna i la quiralitat de l'estructura indiquen que QsMT possiblement té preferència metàl·lica pel Cu i per tant una funció relacionada amb aquest metall in vivo. Estudis de complementació en llevat demostren que QsMT coordina Cu de forma funcional in vivo. En coordinació a Cd QsMT presenta una peculiaritat no observada fins ara en altres MTs: la participació d'ions sulfur en la formació de l'agregat metàl·lic incrementant la capacitat de coordinació metàl·lica (6 ions metàl·lics divalents de Cd enlloc de 4 ions de Zn). A més QsMT coordina Cd de forma funcional en llevat, i per tant la seva funció també podria estar relacionada amb la destoxicació de Cd en la planta.QsMT s'ha utilitzat com a model per fer una aproximació al plegament de les MTs de planta. Amb aquest objectiu vam dissenyar tres pèptids mutants derivats de QsMT: N25 corresponent a la zona rica en cisteïna en posició amino-terminal, C18 corresponent a la zona rica en cisteïna en posició carboxil-terminal, i N25-C18 corresponent a les dues zones riques en cisteïna enllaçades per 4 glicines substituint la zona central de 39 aminoàcids. Es van expressar i estudiar aquests pèptids per les mateixes tècniques utilitzades en l'estudi de QsMT. Els resultats indiquen que QsMT es plega formant un sol agregat metàl·lic per la interacció de les dues zones riques en cisteïna. En aquest model la zona central d'enllaç, típica de les MTs de planta, no participa en la coordinació metàl·lica però és imprescindible per a la funció de la proteïna. El paper de la zona central podria variar en funció del metall que coordina, participant en el plegament i estructura de la proteïna quan coordina Zn i Cd i en la seva regulació i estabilització quan coordina Cu. / In this work we characterize for the first time the metal coordination capacity of a plant metallothionein (MT), and propose a model for the protein folding of plant MTs in general. Results show that these proteins can play a very important role in the regulation of the cellular redox, probably through its copper-coordination ability.Plant MTs are largely unknown proteins. It is postulated that they play a role in copper homeostasis and protection against oxidative stress, but precise function of these proteins, as well as its metal coordination capacity remain unknown.In this work we have studied a cork oak metallothionein, QsMT, isolated from phellem cDNA library. Our main objectives were: (1) to study the QsMT gene expression and its response to oxidative stress; (2) to determine the protein metal coordination properties and the functionality in vivo; (3) to estimate a type of folding for plant MTs.The sudy of the gene expression has been carried out by in situ hybridization in cork oak plants and embryos. QsMT is mainly expressed in cells with high oxidative stress associated to both polyphenol synthesis (suberization and lignification) and senescence. QsMT is also expressed in meristematic cells, where its function could be related to the redox regulation. The oxidative treatment (H202 and paraquat) highly increases gene expression in tissues with constitutive expression, confirming its regulation by oxidative stress.To characterize the protein metal coordination properties we expressed QsMT in E. coli cells in culture medium supplemented with Cu, Zn or Cd. We isolated the corresponding metal aggregates and analyzed them using spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques (ICP-OES, ESI-MS, CD). Results show that QsMT effectively binds Cu (8 ions/molecule), Zn (4 ions/molecule) and Cd (6 ions/molecule), and presents highest chirality when folds with copper. The high binding capacity and chirality of the protein in the presence of copper suggest that QsMT may play a function related to this metal in vivo. Functional complementation studies confirm that QsMT functionally binds copper in vivo. When coordinating Cd QsMT presents a peculiarity not seen in other MTs: the participation of sulfur ions in the formation of the metal aggregate, this increasing the coordination capacity (6 Cd/molecule in contrast to 4 Zn/molecule). Moreover, QsMT functionaly binds Cd in yeast, suggesting that the protein function could also be realted to a Cd detoxification role in plant.We have also used QsMT as a model for the study of the folding of plant MTs. With this aim we designed three mutant peptides derived from QsMT: N25 corresponding to the amino Cys-rich domain; C18 corresponding to the carboxy Cys-rich domain; and N25-C18 corresponding to the two Cys-rich domains linked by 4 glycines in substitution to the central 39 amino acid region. Peptides were expressed and studied using same techniques used for the study of QsMT. Results point to a protein folding in one metal cluster formed by the interaction of the two Cys-rich domains. In this model the central region, typical from plant MTs, does not participate in metal coordination but is indispensable for the protein function. The role of the central region could depend on the metal it coordinates, playing a role in the protein folding and structure when it binds Zn or Cd and a role in protein regulation and stability when it binds Cu.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.