Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-09-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Introdução: Isolados clínicos do Citomegalovirus (CMV) são facilmente propagados in vitro resultando em comprometimento da monocamada celular onde o vírus foi inoculado, evidenciando assim a presença ou ausência de infecção. A cultura celular é um método clássico para detecção do CMV e foi bastante utilizada no passado. O ensaio de antigenemia, que detecta o antígeno viral pp65 do CMV, é o método mais utilizado atualmente na prática clínica, por ser mais rápido e específico para detecção da infecção ativa. Recentemente a técnica de PCR em tempo real tem sido empregada no monitoramento da infecção por meio da quantificação da carga viral por ser um método de alta sensibilidade e especificidade ao DNA viral. Sendo assim, o objetivo do estudo foi empregar testes usados no diagnóstico e monitoramento da infecção clínica à cepa padrão do CMV como protocolo para implantação em experimentos in vitro. Métodos: Monocamada de células fibroblásticas humanas confluentes e em quiescência foram inoculadas com amostras de células infectadas pela cepa adaptada em laboratório do CMV AD169. O efeito do vírus sobre a cultura foi monitorado 1 hora, 24 horas, 48 horas e 72 horas após a infecção (h.p.i) através da observação do efeito citopático. As mesmas amostras foram analisadas por antigenemia estimando-se a média de células positivas em 2x105 células e por PCR em tempo real estimando-se a média de cópias de DNA viral/Log10 presente nas amostras. Resultados: Efeito citopático foi observado pela primeira vez 24 h.p.i, evidenciando que o início das mudanças morfológicas ocorreu precocemente. Esse efeito tornou-se mais intenso após 72h. O ensaio de antigenemia evidenciou presença de infecção ativa pelo padrão de marcação do antígeno viral pp65 encontrado no núcleo das células infectadas, enquanto que a PCR em tempo real evidenciou o número de cópias de DNA viral nos diferentes tempos de infecção. Antigenemia apresentou uma média 57 ±56 células positivas 1h.p.i. O pico da infecção foi alcançado 24h.p.i com um aumento significativo da média para 2.381 ±168 (P<0.05 versus 1h.p.i), mantendo-se elevado 48h.p.i, mostrando uma média de 2.012 ±352. Entretanto, os níveis de antigenemia diminuem significativamente 72h.p.i para 262 ±5 (P<0.05 versus 48h.p.i). Assim como na antigenemia, observou-se aumento significativo da carga viral de 1 h.p.i para 24 h.p.i, sendo uma média de DNA viral detectado 11.30 ±0.30 e 11.96 ±0.09, respectivamente (P<0.05 versus 1h.p.i). Os níveis de DNA viral se mantêm elevados 48h.p.i, sendo detectada uma média de 12.33 ±0,26. Após esse período, carga viral cai significativamente para 11.57 ±0.06 (P<0.05 versus 48h.p.i). Não foi encontrada correlação entre os métodos quantitativos de antigenemia e PCR em tempo real. Conclusão: Os três métodos utilizados, isolamento viral, antigenemia e PCR em tempo real evidenciaram o sucesso da infecção “in vitro” pelo CMV por meio de mudanças cito-morfológicas, detecção de antígeno viral específico e carga viral por detecção do DNA viral, respectivamente. A técnica de PCR se mostrou a mais sensível na detecção viral em relação às demais técnicas. Embora sejam métodos sensíveis e específicos, consideramos a necessidade da titulação viral em quaisquer ensaios experimentais in vitro. / Introduction: Clinical isolates of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) are easily spread in vitro resulting in impairment of the monolayer cell where the virus was inoculated, thus evidencing the presence or absence of infection. The cell culture is a classic method for detection of CMV and it was widely used in the past. Antigenemia assay, which detects CMV pp65 antigen, is the method most used currently in clinical practice, because it is faster and specific for detection of the active infection. Recently, the real-time PCR has been used in monitoring of the infection through the quantification of viral load for being a high sensitivity and specificity method to viral DNA. Therefore, the aim of the study was employing tests used in diagnosis and monitoring of infection to the standard CMV strain as a protocol for implantation in experiments in vitro. Methods: Quiescent human fibroblasts in confluent monolayer were inoculated with samples of infected cells by the adapted CMV AD169 strain. The effect of the virus on culture was monitored at 1 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post infection (h.p.i) by observation of cytopathic effect. The same samples were analyzed by antigenemia being estimate the mean of positive cells in 2x105 cells and by real-time PCR being estimate the mean of copies of viral DNA/Log10 present in samples. Results: Cytopathic effect was first noticed 24 h.p.i, showing that the initiation of morphological changes occurred early. This effect became more intense after 72 h.p.i. Antigenemia assay showed the presence of active infection through pattern of labeling of the pp65 viral antigen found on nucleus of infected cells, while the real-time PCR showed the number of copies of viral DNA in different times of infection. Antigenemia showed an mean of 57 ±56 positive cells 1h.p.i. The peak of the infection was reached 24h.p.i with a significant increase in the mean 2.381 ±168 (P<0.05 versus 1h.p.i) and remained high 48h.p.i, showing an mean of 2.012 ±352 positive cells. However, the mean of antigenemia decrease 72h.p.i to 262 ±5 (P<0.05 versus 48h.p.i). As well as in antigenemia, a significant increase of th viral load was observed of 1h.p.i to 24h.p.i, being the mean of viral DNA detected 11.30 ±0.30 and 11.96 ±0.09, respectively (P<0.05). The levels of viral DNA stayed high 48h.p.i, being detected a mean of 12.33 ±0.26. After this period, viral load decreased significantly to 11.57 ±0.06 (P<0.05 versus 48h.p.i). No correlation was found between the quantitative methods of antigenemia and real-time PCR. Conclusion: The three methods, virus isolation, antigenemia and real-time PCR, showed the success of the CMV infection “in vitro” by cyto-morphological changes, detection of viral antigen specific and viral load by virus DNA detection, respectively. PCR method was more sensitive in detecting virus in relation the other methods. Although sensitive and specific, we consider the need for viral titration in any experimental studies in vitro. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Physik gibt es überall dort, wo Materie: Maßnahmen wie Energie, Masse, Temperatur, Geschwindigkeit, Größe und Steifigkeit sind alle Beispiele der physikalischen Eigenschaften. Solche Mengen sind wichtige Charakterisierungen für biologische Organismen: Sie verändern die ganze Zeit während des gesamten Lebenszyklus. Für eine Bio-Mechaniker, Steifigkeit ist eine wichtige Maßnahme zur biologischen Design zu verstehen. Weil biologische Bausteine so klein wie 1 nm (Protein / DNA / Lipid) sein können, sind spezielle Techniken erforderlich, um ihre Steifigkeit zu studieren. Beide Rasterkraftmikroskopie (AFM) und optischen Pinzetten können verwendet werden, um aktiv zu verformen die Objekte an pN-nN Kräfte und messen die Verformung auf Nanometer Längenskalen werden. In dieser Arbeit AFM wird angewandt, um die Mechanik von Influenza-Viren, Liposomen und lebenden Zellen zu studieren. Das Genom von Viren von einer Proteinhülle und in einigen Fällen eine zusätzliche Lipidhülle verpackt. Dieser Verbund Shell hat widersprüchliche Rollen: er hat das virale Genom zu schützen, aber es sollte auch ermöglichen Auspacken während der viralen Infektion in das Genom zu lösen. Influenza-Virus ist das weichste Virus jemals gefunden, aber zur gleichen Zeit eine sehr hartnäckige Virus verursacht jährliche Pandemien. Ein besseres Verständnis der mechanischen Eigenschaften des Influenza-Virus kann uns helfen zu verstehen, warum das Virus so erfolgreich ist. Die mechanischen Eigenschaften von Influenza-Viren wurden durch AFM gemessen und mit den Liposomen der viralen Lipid hergestellt. Wir haben gefunden, dass die Influenzavirus-Mechanik durch seine Lipidhülle (~ 70%) werden dominiert. In Kapitel 2 haben wir gezeigt, dass anstelle der Verwendung einer starren Proteinkapsid die Lipidhülle ausreicht, um das Influenza virale Genom zu schützen. In Kapitel 3 haben wir weitere blickte in die Funktion des M1 Proteinhülle während der viralen Infektion. Ein Zwischenprodukt Auspacken Schritt wurde durch Messen der in fluenzavirale Steifigkeit bei pH 7, 6, 5,5 und 5, Bedingungen, die die Ansäuerung Umgebungen auf der viralen Infektion nachahmen Stoffwechselweg entdeckt. Der Zwischenschritt wurde weiterhin als wesentlich erwiesen für eine erfolgreiche Infektion. Wir schlagen vor, dass das Influenza-Virus hat sich zu eng synchronisiert die verschiedenen Schritte ihrer Auspacken mit pH-

Influenza A is involved in hundreds of thousands of deaths globally every year resulting from viral infection-related complications. Previous efforts to subdue the virus by preventing proper function of wild-type (WT) neuraminidase (N), and M2 proteins using oseltamivir and amantadine (AMT) or rimantadine (RMT), respectively, exhibited success initially. Over time, these drugs began exhibiting mixed success as the virus developed drug resistance. M2 is a proton channel responsible for the acidification of the viral interior which facilitates release of the viral RNA into the host. M2 has a His37-tetrad that is the selective filter for protons. This protein has been demonstrated to be a feasible target for organic compounds. However, due to a mutation from serine to asparagine at residue 31 of M2, which is found in the majority of influenza strains circulating in humans, AMT and RMT block is insufficient. From simulations, it is unclear whether the insensitivity results from weak binding or incomplete block. The question of how the S31N mutation caused MT and RMT insensitivity in M2 is addressed here by analyzing the binding kinetics of AMT and RMT using the two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology method. The dissociation rate constant (k2) is dramatically increased compared to WT for both AMT and RMT, by 1500-fold and 17000-fold respectively. Testing of AMT at 10 mM demonstrates complete block, albeit weak, of the S31N M2 channel. At 10 mM, RMT does not reach complete block even though the binding site is saturated. When RMT is in the bound state, it is not blocking all the current, and is binding without block. These results motivated the development of novel M2 blockers using copper complexes focusing on the His37 complex in M2. I hypothesized that copper complexes would bind with the imidazole of a histidine in the His37 complex and prevent proton conductance. The His37 complex is highly conserved in the M2 channel and, therefore, would be important target for influenza therapeutics. By derivatizing the amines of known M2 blockers, AMT and cyclooctyalmine, to form the iminodiacetate or iminodiacetamide, we have synthesized Cu(II) containing complexes and characterized them by NMR, IR, MS, UV–vis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The copper complexes, but not the copper-free ligands, demonstrated H37-specific blocking of M2 channel currents and low micromolar anti-viral efficacies in both Amt-sensitive and Amt-resistant IAV strains with, for the best case, nearly 10-fold less cytotoxicity than CuCl2. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to obtain enthalpies that showed the copper complexes bind to one imidazole and curve fitting to the electrophysiology data provided rate constants for binding in the M2 channel. Computational chemistry was used to obtain binding geometries and energies of the copper complexes to the His37-tetrad. The results show that the copper complexes do bind with the His37 complex and prevent proton conductance and influenza infection.

Les méthodes de vaccination actuelles contre l’influenza, axées sur la réponse à anticorps dirigée contre des antigènes hautement variables, nécessitent la production d’un vaccin pour chaque nouvelle souche. Le défi est maintenant de stimuler simultanément une réponse cellulaire pan-spécifique ciblant des antigènes conservés du virus, tel que la protéine de la matrice (M1) ou la nucléoprotéine (NP). Or, la présentation antigénique de ces protéines est peu définie chez l’humain. Nous avons analysé la présentation endogène par les complexes majeurs d’histocompatibilité de classes (CMH)-I et -II de M1 et de NP. Ainsi, les protéines M1 et NP ont été exprimées dans des cellules présentatrices d’antigènes (CPAs). Notamment, des épitopes de M1 et de NP endogènes peuvent être présentées par CMH-I et -II, ce qui résulte en une activation respectivement de lymphocytes T CD8+ et CD4+ précédemment isolés. Étant donné l’importance des lymphocytes T CD4+ dans la réponse cellulaire, nous avons cloné M1 ou NP en fusion avec des séquences de la protéine gp100 permettant la mobilisation vers les compartiments du CMH-II sans affecter la présentation par CMH-I. Des CPAs exprimant de façon endogène ces constructions modifiées ou sauvages ont ensuite été utilisées pour stimuler in vitro des lymphocytes T humains dont la qualité a été évaluée selon la production de cytokines et la présence de molécules de surface (ELISA ou marquage de cytokines intracellulaire). Nous avons observé une expansion de lymphocytes T CD8+ et CD4+ effecteurs spécifiques sécrétant diverses cytokines pro-inflammatoires (IFN-γ, TNF, MIP-1β) dans des proportions comparables avec une présentation par CMH-II basale ou améliorée. Cette qualité indépendante du niveau de présentation endogène par CMH-II de M1 et de NP des lymphocytes T CD4+ et CD8+ suggère que cette présentation est suffisante à court terme. En outre, la présentation endogène de M1 et NP a permis de stimuler des lymphocytes T spécifiques à des épitopes conservés du virus, tel qu’identifié à l’aide une méthode d’identification originale basée sur des segments d’ARNm, « mRNA PCR-based epitope chase (mPEC) ». Ensemble, ces nouvelles connaissances sur la présentation antigénique de M1 et de NP pourraient servir à établir de nouvelles stratégies vaccinales pan-spécifiques contre l’influenza. / New vaccines targeting hyper-variable influenza determinants must be prepared against every new strain. The challenge is now to develop influenza vaccines also eliciting a strong and sustained cytotoxic response against highly-conserved determinants such as the matrix (M1) and nuclear (NP) proteins. However, their antigenic presentation properties in humans are less defined. We, therefore, analyzed major histocompatibility complex class (MHC)-I and -II presentation of endogenously processed M1 and NP in human antigen presenting cells (APCs). To do so, we used APCs endogenously-expressing the M1 and NP proteins. M1 and NP epitopes can be presented by MHC-I and -II, which results in the activation of previously-isolated antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes. Considering the importance of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the cellular immune response, we cloned M1 and NP proteins in fusion with gp100 MHC-II enhancing sequences, which do not disrupt MHC-I presentation. APCs expressing MHC-II-enhanced or wild type constructs were used to stimulate human T lymphocytes in vitro and quality of antigen presentation was evaluated on the basis of cytokine production and cell surface molecule expression (ELISA or intracellular cytokine staining). We expanded antigen-specific effector CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes which secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF and MIP-1β) to similar extents both with and without MHC-II enhancement. The quality of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes generated independent of the level of M1 and NP endogenous MHCII presentation suggests that this presentation is sufficient for short-term T lymphocyte stimulation. Thus, endogenous expression of M1 and NP have stimulated T lymphocytes specific to conserved influenza epitopes, as determined by an original identification technique based on mRNA segments called mRNA PCR-based epitope chase (mPEC). Overall, these new insights about T lymphocytes expanded following MHC-I and -II presentation of endogenous M1 and NP could prove useful for new complementary heterosubtypic vaccination strategies.

No description available.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated for a wide range of human diseases. One of the major biosynthetic processes in human mitochondria is the biogenesis of Iron-Sulfur (Fe-S) clusters which primarily involves in electron transfer reactions during oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Defects in Fe-S cluster biogenesis process leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and that eventually results in various human mitochondrial disorders. One of the major mitochondrial disorders associated with Fe-S cluster biogenesis impairment is exercise intolerance disorder ISCU myopathy, which is a result of loss of function of Fe-S cluster scaffold protein ISCU. Our biochemical results using yeast model system and HeLa cells lines suggests that ISCU Myopathy results in defective Fe-S cluster biogenesis in mitochondrial compartment. As a result, electron transport chain (ETC) complexes demonstrate significant reduction in their redox properties, leading to loss of cellular respiration. Furthermore, in ISCU Myopathy, mitochondria display enhancement in iron levels and reactive oxygen species, thereby causing oxidative stress leading to impairment in the mitochondrial functions. On the other hand, in mammalian mitochondria, the initial step of Fe-S cluster assembly process is assisted by NFS1-ISD11 complex, which delivers sulfur to the scaffold protein ISCU during Fe-S cluster synthesis. In humans, loss of ISD11 function leads to development of respiratory distress disorder, Combined Oxidative Phosphorylation Deficiency 19 (COXPD19). Our study maps the important ISD11 amino acid residues critical for in vivo Fe-S cluster biogenesis. Importantly, mutation of these critical ISD11 residues to alanine leads to its compromised interaction with NFS1, which results in reduced stability and enhanced aggregation of NFS1 in the mitochondria. Moreover, our findings highlight that, COXPD19 associated R68L ISD11 mutant displays reduced affinity to form a stable sub-complex with NFS1, thereby fails to prevent NFS1 aggregation, resulting impairment of Fe-S cluster biogenesis. The prime affected machinery is the ETC complex which demonstrates compromised redox properties, causing diminished mitochondrial respiration in COXPD19 patients. In summary, our findings provide compelling evidence that respiration defect due to impaired biogenesis of Fe-S clusters in ISCU myopathy patients, leads to manifestation of complex clinical symptoms. Additionally, our study highlights the role of ISD11 protein in Fe-S cluster biogenesis and maps the surface residues of ISD11 protein that are involved in interaction with sulfur donor protein NFS1. Moreover, we have demonstrated the molecular basis of disease progression of COXPD19 as a result of R68L ISD11 mutation.

My research focuses on understanding the importance of human mitochondrial Hsp70 (Grp75) chaperone machinery for the maintenance of protein quality control inside the mitochondrial matrix. The investigations carried out during this study have been addressed towards gaining better insights into the working of Grp75 chaperone folding machinery in association with its diverse set of co-chaperones residing in human mitochondria. Additionally, the research also focuses on explaining the various modes of Grp75 participation leading to multiple disease conditions. The thesis has been divided into the following sections as follows: Chapter I: An introduction to the mitochondrial import machinery and role of mitochondrial Hsp70 chaperone folding machinery for the maintenance of protein quality control: Mitochondrion is an essential organelle present in the eukaryotic cell and requires more than 1500 proteins for its proper functioning. Although, mitochondria harbour their own genome, it encodes for only 13 proteins in humans. The rest of the entire proteome is encoded by the nuclear genome and requires proper targeting of proteins to different compartments of mitochondria. Remarkably, mitochondrial matrix alone requires more than 60% of the proteome for its suitable functioning. Briefly, the mitochondrial matrix destined polypeptide passes through the outer membrane translocon; the ‘TOM’ complex and then enters the TIM23 translocon present in the inner membrane of mitochondria. The complete translocation of the polypeptide into the mitochondrial matrix side requires the assistance of mtHsp70 based motor system present on the matrix side which pulls the polypeptide into the matrix in an ATP-dependent manner and with the assistance of various co-chaperones. Subsequently, the unfolded polypeptide is to be folded back to its native state, which is ensured again by the mtHsp70 based chaperone folding machinery. Importantly, while 20% of mtHsp70 is involved in protein import, 80% of mtHsp70 is dedicated for protein folding. In addition to mtHsp70, the chaperone folding machinery consists of various soluble co-chaperones such as the J-proteins which stimulate the ATP hydrolysis rate of Hsp70. Furthermore, another co-chaperone termed as a nucleotide exchange factor ensures binding of fresh ATP molecule onto Hsp70 ensuring multiple rounds of folding cycles. To understand the relevance of mitochondrial Hsp70 chaperone folding machine in the maintenance of protein quality control, Chapter I of the thesis has been divided into multiple sections as follows: Briefly, the initial portion of Chapter I provide a glimpse of the translocon components present in mitochondria for targeting of proteins to outer membrane, inner membrane and inter-membrane space. Owing to the vast proteome size of the mitochondrial matrix, the following section describes the detailed mechanism and translocation process of the mitochondrial matrix targeted proteins. Additionally, subsequent sections of Chapter I provide a comprehensive description of each of the mtHsp70 chaperone folding components, which maintain the protein quality control in the matrix. The players that constitute the chaperone folding machines are mitochondrial Hsp70, J-proteins, nucleotide exchange factors and the newly discovered human escort protein. Essentially, the section provides information about the cellular distribution, structure and function of each of these players constituting the mtHsp70 chaperone folding machine. Loss of regulation between these players leads to defects in protein folding. Imbalance in protein homeostasis is one of the primary causes for mitochondrial dysfunction leading to various diseases. Importantly, recent literature has highlighted the involvement of mtHsp70 chaperone folding players in Parkinson’s disease (PD), Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and cancer. In accordance, the last section of the Chapter I has been dedicated to describe the basic cell biology and proposed mechanisms for the above diseased states. Interestingly, in comparison to yeast and bacteria, the composition of mtHsp70 chaperone folding machinery in humans is unique and distinctly different. Owing to a lack of information about the functioning of human mitochondrial Hsp70 chaperone folding machinery and with an emphasis on understanding its role in various disease manifestations, the objectives that were laid for my PhD thesis are as follows: 1) Functional in vitro reconstitution of the human Grp75 chaperone folding machinery by purifying all the Grp75 chaperone folding machinery players namely; Grp75 (human mtHsp70), hTid-1L and hTid-1S (J-proteins), GrpEL1 (nucleotide exchange factor) and Human escort protein (Hep). 2) Dissection of the intrinsic biochemical defects associated with the variants of Grp75 reported in Parkinson’s disease (PD). 3) To understand the correlation between elevated levels of Grp75 and its contribution to malignancy. In conclusion, the current study has highlighted some of the key features of human Grp75 chaperone folding machinery and its regulation in the maintenance of human mitochondrial matrix protein quality control, failure of which leads to pathological conditions. Chapter II: Reconstitution of the human Grp75 chaperone folding machinery to understand the functional interplay between the multiple protein components: The mitochondrial Heat shock protein 70 (mtHsp70) machinery components are highly conserved among eukaryotes, including humans. However, the functional properties of human mtHsp70 machinery components have not been characterized among all eukaryotic families. To study the functional interactions, we have reconstituted the components of mtHsp70 chaperone machine (Hsp70/J-protein/GrpE/Hep) and systematically analyzed in vitro conditions for biochemical functions. We observed that the sequence-specific interaction of human mtHsp70 towards mitochondrial client proteins differs significantly from its yeast counterpart Ssc1. Interestingly, the helical lid of human mtHsp70 was found dispensable to the binding of P5-peptide as compared to the other Hsp70’s. We observed that the two human mitochondrial matrix J-protein splice-variants differentially regulate the mtHsp70 chaperone cycle. Strikingly, our results demonstrated that human Hep possesses a unique ability to stimulate the ATPase activity of mtHsp70 as well as to prevent the aggregation of unfolded client proteins similar to J-proteins. We observed that Hep binds with the C-terminus of mtHsp70 in a full-length context, and this interaction is distinctly different from unfolded client-specific or J-protein binding. In addition, we found that the interaction of Hep at the C-terminus of mtHsp70 is regulated by the helical lid region. However, the interaction of Hep at the ATPase domain of the human mtHsp70 is mutually exclusive with J-proteins, thereby promoting a similar conformational change that leads to ATPase stimulation. Moreover, we have also dissected out the inter-domain defective nature associated with the point mutant of Grp75 implicated in Myelodysplastic syndrome thus providing an explanation for the loss of function of Grp75 eventually leading to loss of protein quality control in the diseased state. Chapter III: Enhanced J-protein interaction and compromised protein stability of Grp75 variants leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent progressive neurological disorder commonly associated with impaired mitochondrial function in dopaminergic neurons. Although familial PD is multi-factorial in nature, a recent proteomic screen involving PD-patients revealed two mitochondrial Hsp70 variants (P509S and R126W) that are implicated in PD-pathogenesis. However, molecular mechanisms underlying how mtHsp70 PD-variants are centrally involved in PD-progression is totally elusive. In this report, we provide mechanistic insights into the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with human mtHsp70 PD-variants. Biochemically, R126W variant showed severely compromised protein stability and was found highly susceptible to aggregation at physiological conditions. Strikingly, on the other hand, P509S variant exhibits significantly enhanced interaction with J-protein co-chaperones involved in folding and import machinery, thus altering the overall regulation of chaperone mediated folding cycle and protein homeostasis. To assess the impact of mtHsp70 PD-mutations at the cellular level, we have developed yeast as a model system by making analogous mutations in Ssc1 ortholog. Interestingly, PD-mutations in yeast (R103W and P486S) exhibit multiple in vivo phenotypes, which are associated with ‘mitochondrial dysfunction’ such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) loss and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress recapitulating the cellular features of dopaminergic neurons similar to those reported in other PD-models. Together, our observations for both the variants strongly indicate a definite involvement of mtHsp70 as a susceptibility factor in Parkinson’s disease. Chapter IV: To understand the correlation between elevated levels of Grp75 and its contribution to malignancy: Multiple studies carried out by various groups have reported the presence of elevated levels of Grp75 in cancer cells. Furthermore, proteomic screens show a positive correlation with the higher levels of Grp75 and the aggressive or metastatic nature of cancer. Importantly, cancer cells also exhibit altered mitochondrial metabolism and are found to be under constant oxidative stress pressure. Moreover, Grp75 actively participates in maintenance of mitochondrial function and as well is reported to interact with many putative oncoproteins. However, there is little information available on the possible role of Grp75 in modulating the cellular niche which might favor towards increased malignant transformation of cells. To identify pathways for explaining the correlation between Grp75 and cancer, our initial attempts have focused on monitoring the multiple cellular changes influenced by elevated levels of Grp75 in a cell line based system. To our surprise, transient transfection of cells with Grp75 led to a tremendous increase in the reactive oxygen species levels. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation between the extent of increased levels of Grp75 and the amount of ROS generated in these cells was established. As expected, increased ROS levels observed in Grp75 overexpressing cells also resulted in reduced cell viability. Notably, mitochondrial superoxide generation was found to be the major source for the observed increment in ROS levels in Grp75 expressing cells. In addition, the localization profile of the exogenously expressed Grp75 protein highlighted the fact that the protein was found to be predominantly targeted to mitochondria. Strikingly, the elevated Grp75 levels led to an increase in mitochondrial mass and also displayed a higher proportion of circular and fragmented mitochondria in these cells. Together, the above preliminary observations hint towards a strong correlation between the levels of Grp75 and its influence on the redox biology of cells providing an additional and a possible explanation of the mode of participation of Grp75 in generation and progression of malignancy.