Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus flavescens are nonfermenting yeasts forming extracellular polysaccharide capsule. Both species are mainly saprofytic but Cr. laurentii is also known to be an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Cr. flavescens used to be considered a synonym of Cr. laurentii but nowadays it is classified as a separate species that belongs to the phylogenetic group I of the Cr. laurentii group. In the experimental part 28 strains of species Cr. laurentii, Cr. flavescens a Cr. victoriae were biotyped using MALDI-TOF MS. The yeasts were cultivated on three different media (Sabouraud, YPD and potato agar) and three methods were used for the protein extraction. The impact of growth medium composition from which the strains were inoculated on the quality of spectra was studied together with the suitability of individual methods for use on different media. Then the impact of growth medium composition on the quality of acquired spectra was evaluated. Finally, all strains were compared mutually and with the type strain of Cr. laurentii CCY 17 3-2. The composition of the medium cells were inoculated from was found to have little impact on the spectra quality. The same result was determined for the composition of the actual growth medium cells were cultivated on. Crucial for the quality of mass spectrum is the method of cells preparation. Best results were acquired when cultivating cells on YPD agar, washing the cells with ethanol and using mix of sinapinic and ferulic acid as a matrix. Potato agar was found not suitable for cultivating yeasts of the Cryptococcus genus due to significant production of extracellular polysaccharides which complicate the protein isolation process. All strains were compared to Cr. laurentii type strain CCY 17-3-2 and MSP dendrograms were created based on the spectra similarity. In the MSP dendrograms all strains were successfully divided into relevant species on all tested media. Finally sequences of D1/D2 domain of LSU gene were compared and phylogenetic tree was created. This tree was then compared to the MSP dendrograms.

Hepcidin is cysteine-rich cationic peptide produced by hepatocytes, secreted into blood plasma, and excreted in urine. Hepcidin is proposed to be the key regulator of iron metabolism and an evaluation of changes in the hepcidin level is important for diagnosis of several diseases. However, methods used for the hepcidin detection and determination in urine and serum have certain limitations. At present time MALDI-TOF MS based approaches have been applied for final analysis of urinary and/or serum hepcidin levels. Before MS analysis, separation of hepcidin from analyzed samples is an important and necessary step. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of several magnetic sorbents with different coating matrix and/or different terminal functionalized groups to adsorb hepcidin prior MS analysis. Either commercial magnetic sorbents containing -COOH groups or magnetic hydrophilic IDA-modified polymethacrylate microparticles P(HEMA-co-GMA)-IDA with immobilized metal ions were use for this purpose. Hepcidin was adsorbed to magnetic sorbents containing linked carboxyl groups (i.e. to weak cation exchange magnetic particles) at pH 6.8 independently on a nature of magnetic particle coating layer. Magnetic particles P(HEMA-co- GMA)-IDA with immobilized Cu(II) ions were found to adsorb hepcidin in a...

The system of mixed function oxygenase (MFO system) participates in significant roles in the metabolism of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. This system contains cytochrome P450, NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase, and also there are assigned NADH: cytochrome b5 reductase and cytochrome b5. It was proved that cytochrome b5 can stimulate or inhibit cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent reactions and even change the ratio of resulting metabolites. The mechanism of cytochrome b5 action has not been fully elucidated yet. Elucidation of protein-protein interactions in MFO system and determination of topology of this system could explain the mechanism of cyt b5 action. The covalent cross- linking technique is suitable method for identifying protein-protein interactions within the membrane. Cytochrome b5 contains 3 methionines and in 2 cases the methionines are localized in a short hydrophobic C-terminal membrane anchor. Interactions with cytochrome P450 in the membrane environment can be identified by substitution of two methionine for photoactivatable analogue of methionine (photo-methionine) and subsequent photoactivation. This work is focused on expression and isolation of photo-cytochrome b5 (photo- cyt b5), cytochrome b5 analogue with incorporated photo-methionine. Conditions for photo-methionine...

L’identification de biomarqueurs demeure un véritable défi pour les sciences analytiques et un enjeu majeur pour la recherche clinique. Les glycosaminoglycanes (GAGs) ont été identifiés comme biomarqueurs potentiels de mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), maladies génétiques rares et très souvent mortelles. Ces pathologies sont dues à une déficience en une des enzymes impliquées dans le catabolisme des GAGs. Le défaut enzymatique conduit à une accumulation de GAGs partiellement dégradés, et entraîne une neurodégénérescence pour les formes sévères de la pathologie. Les GAGs sont des polysaccharides polyanioniques complexes impliqués dans de nombreux processus physiologiques chez les mammifères. Leur étude demeure difficile en raison de leur hétérogénéité structurale, de leur faible biodisponibilité et du manque d'outils dédiés à leur analyse. Notre objectif a été de détecter et de quantifier ces composés à partir de fluides biologiques tels que l’urine et le liquide céphalo-rachidien, puis d’en élucider la structure par spectrométrie de masse. L’étude s’est focalisée sur la caractérisation d’oligosaccharides de type héparane sulfate (HS), biomarqueurs spécifiques de MPS à composante neurologique (MPS de type I, IIIB et IIIC) et responsables des atteintes du système nerveux central. Une stratégie expérimentale permettant l’extraction d’oligosaccharides de HS issus de fluides biologiques a été développée. Ainsi, la structure d’oligosaccharides sulfatés de HS urinaires, candidats biomarqueurs de MPS IIIB et IIIC, a pu être identifiée. Ces composés pourraient s’avérer utiles pour le diagnostic et le suivi de patients, notamment lors d’essais thérapeutiques. Des expériences in vitro d’exposition de différents types cellulaires du cerveau ont été menées afin d’établir la relation entre la structure des oligosaccharides accumulés et leurs effets neuropathologiques. Elles ont permis de mettre en évidence des processus cellulaires qui pourraient impliqués dans la neurodégénérescence et constituer de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques. / The identification of biomarkers remains one of the main challenges for analytical sciences and a major stake for clinical research. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been identified as potential biomarkers of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) belonging to rare genetic diseases with often a deadly issue. These pathologies are due to a deficiency in one of the enzymes responsible for GAGs catabolism. This enzymatic defect results in the accumulation of partially catabolized GAGs in organism and leads to neurodegeneration for the most severe forms of the disease. GAGs are complex polyanionic polysaccharides involved in numerous physiological processes in mammals. Their study remains a challenging task because of their high structural heterogeneity and their low biodisponibility, besides the lack of dedicated analytical tools. Our aim was to detect and quantify these compounds in biologic fluids such as urine and cerebrospinal fluid, and to elucidate their structures by mass spectrometry. This study focused on heparan sulfate (HS) oligosaccharides, as potential biomarkers of MPS featured by neurological manifestations (MPS I, IIIB and IIIC), and possibly responsible of lesions in the central nervous system. An experimental strategy allowing the extraction of HS oligosaccharides from biological fluids was implemented, thereby the structures of urinary heparan sulfate oligosaccharides were deciphered, leading to possible biomarkers candidates of MPS IIIB and IIIC. These compounds could be useful for diagnostic and patient follow-up that are currently lacking for the monitoring of therapeutic assays. In vitro exposition of different cerebral cell types to HS oligosaccharides was carried out to establish the relation between the structure of oligosaccharides and neuropathological effects. These studies highlighted several cellular processes that could be involved in neurodegeneration and constitute new therapeutic targets.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第19576号 / 医博第4083号 / 新制||医||1013(附属図書館) / 32612 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 中川 一路, 教授 岩田 想, 教授 西渕 光昭 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

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Depuis l'avènement des techniques d'ionisation douces comme le MALDI ou l'ESI, la spectrométrie de masse est devenue un outil incontournable pour l'étude des biomolécules, et en particulier, des protéines. Le mécanisme d'ionisation spécifique des sources MALDI introduit un phénomène de discrimination spectrale généralement considéré comme un frein. Le greffage d'un motif α-cyano 4-hydroxy cinnamique ou HCCA sur un peptide permet d'en tirer parti en créant une discrimination spectrale favorable au composé marqué. Deux applications du marquage HCCA ont été développées au cours de ce travail de thèse.Une des limitations des études phosphoprotéomiques réside dans la faible ionisation des peptides phosphorylés. De nombreuses méthodes de purification ont été proposées pour contourner ce problème. Nous avons étudié une approche alternative qui consiste à greffer spécifiquement un motif HCCA sur une position phosphorylée afin d'amplifier les signaux des peptides d'intérêt. Nous avons développé en parallèle une méthodologie pour l'étude de la liaison d'un ligand peptidique à son récepteur ne nécessitant pas de radioactivité. Le greffage covalent d'HCCA sur un ligand nous a permis de le détecter et de le quantifier dans une expérience de déplacement. Cette méthodologie a notamment permis de déterminer l'affinité d'un ligand de référence pour le récepteur V1A à la vasopressine. / Since the advent of soft ionization techniques such as MALDI or ESI, mass spectrometry has become an indispensable tool for the study of biomolecules, and particularly proteins. The specific ionization mechanism of MALDI leads to a spectral discrimination phenomenon generally regarded as a restriction. The α-cyano 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (HCCA) pattern grafting on a peptide can take advantage by introducing a spectral discrimination in favor of the labeled compound. Two applications have been developed during this thesis, based on HCCA tagging.A limitation of phosphoproteomic studies is the low ionization of phosphorylated peptides. Many purification methods have been reported to circumvent this problem. We studied an alternative approach which consists in specifically grafting a HCCA moiety on a phosphorylated position in order to amplify the signal of interest peptide.At the same time, we have developed a methodology for the study of ligand peptidic binding to its receptor which does not require radioactivity. The covalent HCCA tagged ligand has allowed us to detect and quantify it, in a binding displacement assay. More particularly, this methodology allowed us to determine the affinity of a reference ligand for the V1A vasopressin receptor.

The task of this diploma thesis was to investigate the influence of inorganic pigments on the identification of casein oil and animal glue tempera by mass spectrometry MALDI- -TOF MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation - Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry). First, it was necessary to prepare a set of model colour layers containing casein and animal glue tempera together with ten inorganic pigments. Consequently, the method of peptide mass fingerprinting was used to obtain mass spectra of the samples. Finally, it was possible to compare and determine the characteristic peptide fragments for both proteinaceous binders and find pigments that most affected the identification of casein and rabbit glue temperas. The obtained values of m/z casein oil tempera and animal glue tempera were used to improve and complete reference database of protein binders that is used to identify protein binders in works of art at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague.

L'avènement des méthodes de séquençage moléculaire à large échelle a permis l'identification d'altérations du microbiote digestif spécifiquement associés à l'obésité notamment un ratio Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes diminué chez les obèses. Depuis, de nombreux travaux ont décrit de nouvelles altérations associées à l'obésité, notamment une augmentation des représentants du genre Lactobacillus mais l'ensemble de ces résultats sont souvent l'objet de controverses. Afin de clarifier si le genre Lactobacillus était associé à l'obésité, nous avons réalisé deux études cas témoins (la deuxième étant le prolongement de la première avec un effectif de 263 individus) qui nous ont permis d'identifier que les altérations du microbiote digestif sont plus reproductibles au niveau de l'espèce. A ce titre nous avons retrouvé une plus grande concentration de Lactobacillus reuteri dans le microbiote digestif de sujets obèses alors que les concentrations de Bifidobacterium animalis, Methanobrevibacter smithii et Escherichia coli étaient diminuées. Nous avons pu établir une relation dose-dépendante entre la concentration de Lactobacillus reuteri et l'indice de masse corporelle. Par ailleurs, nous avons réalisé une méta-analyse sur les résultats des études publiées et avons retrouvé une association entre les genres Bifidobacterium (6 études, 348 individus) et Methanobrevibacter (3 études, 195 individus) avec l'absence d'obésité (…) / The revolution of large scale molecular sequencing methods allowed the identification of specific alterations in the gut microbiota associated with obesity such as a decreased Bacteroidetes / Firmicutes ratio in obese individuals. Since then, many studies have described different alterations associated with obesity, including an increase in members of the Lactobacillus genus, but results are often controversial. To clarify whether the genus Lactobacillus was associated with obesity, we conducted two case-control studies (the second being the follow-up of the first study with a total of 263 individuals) allowing us to understand that gut microbiota alterations are more reproducible at the species level. We found a greater concentration of Lactobacillus reuteri in the gut microbiota of obese while concentrations of Bifidobacterium animalis, Methanobrevibacter smithii and Escherichia coli were reduced. We were able to establish a dose-dependent relationship between the concentration of Lactobacillus reuteri and body mass index. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis on the results of published studies and we found an association between the Bifidobacterium (6 studies, 348 individuals) and Methanobrevibacter (3 studies, 195 individuals) with absence of obesity. (…)

Les arthropodes vecteurs sont hématophages et peuvent assurer la transmission biologique active d'un agent pathogène responsable de maladies humaines ou animales. La lutte anti-vectorielle et la surveillance épidémiologique des vecteurs sont essentielles dans la stratégie de lutte contre les maladies vectorielles. Disposer d'outils d'identification précis, fiable et rapides des vecteurs et des pathogènes associés est indispensable. Ainsi dans ce projet nous avons évalué l'utilisation du MALDI-TOF MS pour identifier les arthropodes vecteurs ainsi que la détection des pathogènes associés. La première partie de notre travail consistait à utiliser MALDI TOF pour identifier les tiques, moustiques et les puces. Nous avons déterminé quelle partie du spécimen permettait d'obtenir une reproductibilité des spectres et une identification correcte par des tests à l'aveugle après création d'une base de données de référence. La deuxième partie consistait à utiliser le MALDI-TOF MS pour détecter des Rcikettsies associés aux tiques dont Rickettsia conorii et R. slovaca, deux pathogènes humains transmis respectivement par Rhipicephalus sanguineus et Dermacentor marginatus. Des variations spectrales étaient obtenues entre les spécimens infectés et non infectés, avec des masses spécifiques liés à l'infection des tiques par les rickettsies. La technique d'identification était validée par des tests à l'aveugle. Les résultats obtenus permettent de conclure que le MALDI TOF pourra être utilisé dans l'avenir pour identifier les tiques prélevées chez des patients, les arthropodes vecteurs lors des enquêtes entomologiques et préciser la prévalence d'infection de ces arthropodes. / Arthropods are vectors bloodsucking and can ensure the active biological transmission of a pathogen responsible of human or veterinary diseases. The vector control and vectors epidemiological surveillance are essential in the strategy against the vectors-borne diseases. Accurate, reliable and rapid identification of vectors and associated pathogens are essential. Thus, in this project we evaluated the use of MALDI-TOF MS for the arthropods vectors identification as well as for the detection of associated pathogens. This proteomics technology emerged since few years ago and is currently used in routine for bacteria identification in many microbiology laboratories. In the first part of our work, we used the MALDI TOF to identify the tick, mosquito and flea species. For each arthropod, we determined which part allowed obtaining reproducible spectra by MALDI TOF and correct identification by blind test, after reference database creation. The second part consisted to use the MALDI-TOF MS to detect the associated Rickettsia in ticks including Rickettsia conorii and R. slovaca, two human pathogens transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus and respectively Dermacentors marginatus. The spectral variations were obtained between infected and non infected specimens with specific masses related to the tick infection by Rickettsia. The identification technique of not or infected ticks was validated by blind tests. The obtained results allowed concluding that the MALDI-TOF MS could be used in the future to identify the ticks removed from patient, the arthropods vectors and during entomological survey and determine the prevalence of infection of these arthropods.