Os estudos foram realizados em cultura de células HEK-293 (human embrionic kidney cells). Por microscopia de fluorescência, avaliou-se a velocidade de recuperação do pHi (dpHi/dt). Por Western blot, avaliou-se a expressão de SGLTs e NHEs e a translocação dos SGLTs foi avaliada por imunofluorescência. Resultados: No controle, a dpHi/dt foi de 0,169 ± 0,020 unid pH/min (n=6). A glicose modula dose e tempo dependentemente a dpHi/dt. O tratamento crônico aumentou esse parâmetro e somente Florizina (inibidor dos SGLTs), H-89 (inibidor da PKA) e BAPTA (quelante de Ca2+intracelular Ca2+i) reduziram esse efeito. O tratamento crônico induziu a internalização do SGLT1, manteve o SGLT2 no citosol e aumentou sua expressão. Conclusões: No tratamento crônico, a internalização do SGLT1 depende da PKA, independe de Ca2+i e a permanência do SGLT2 no citosol depende tanto da PKA quanto do Ca2+i. Assim, a distribuição celular do SGLT2 altera a atividade dos NHEs. / In this work we used human embryonic kidney (HEK-293 cells). The pHi recovery rate (dpHi/dt) was evaluated through fluorescence microscopy. The expression of SGLT´s and NHEs was analysed through Western blot and translocation of SGLTs was evaluated through Imunofluorescence. Results: In the control situation, the dpHi/dt was 0,169 ± 0,020 units pH/min (n=6). This parameter was modulated by glucose in a concentration and time dependent manner. Chronic treatment increased the dpHi/dt and this stimulatory effect was inhibited by Phlorizin (SGLTs inhibitor), H-89 (PKA inhibitor) and BAPTA (intracellular Ca2+ cheleator - Ca2+i). The chronic treatment induced internalization of SGLT1, increased the expression of SGLT2 and kept it in the cytosol. Conclusions: In chronic treatment, the internalization of SGLT1 involves a PKA-dependent and Ca2+i- independent mechanism. The maintenance of SGLT2 in the cytosol depends on PKA and Ca2+i. Thus, the cellular distribution of SGLT2 is associated with NHEs activity.

Plasma membrane transport proteins play a crucial role in all cells by conferring to the cell surface a selective permeability to a wide range of ions and small molecules. The activity of these transporters is often regulated by controlling their amount at the plasma membrane, via intracellular trafficking. The recent boom in the numbers of crystallized transporters shows that many of them that belong to different functional families with little sequence similarity adopt the same structural fold implying a conserved transport mechanism. These proteins belong to the APC (Amino acid-Polyamine-organoCation) superfamily and their fold is typified by the bacterial leucine transporter LeuT. This LeuT fold is characterized by inverted structural repeats of 5 transmembrane domains that harbor the central substrate-binding site and a pseudo-symmetry axis parallel to the membrane. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses about 16 amino acid permeases (yAAPs) that belong to the APC superfamily and that display various substrate specificity ranges and affinities. Topological, mutational analysis and in silico data indicate that yAAPS adopt the LeuT fold.<p><p>In this work we combined computational modeling and yeast genetics to study substrate binding by yAAPs and the endocytosis of these transporters in response to substrate transport. In the first part of this work, we analyzed the selective recognition of arginine by the yeast specific arginine permease, Can1. We constructed three-dimensional models of Can1 using as a template the recently resolved structure of AdiC, the bacterial arginine:agmatine antiporter, which is also a member of the APC superfamily. By comparison of the binding pockets of Can1 and Lyp1, the yeast specific lysine permease, we identified key residues that are involved in the recognition of the main and side chains of arginine. We first showed that the network of interactions of arginine in Can1 is similar to that of AdiC, and that the selective recognition of arginine is mediated by two residues: Asn 176 and Thr 456. Substituting these residues by their corresponding residues in Lyp1 converted Can1 into a specific lysine permease. In the second part of this work, we studied the regulation of two permeases, Can1 and the yeast general amino acid permease, Gap1. In the presence of their substrates, Gap1 and Can1 undergo ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis and targeting to the vacuolar lumen for degradation. We showed that this downregulation is not due to intracellular accumulation of the transported amino acids but to transport catalysis itself. By permease structural modeling, mutagenesis, and kinetic parameter analysis, we showed that Gap1 and Can1 need to switch to an intermediary conformational state and persist a minimal time in this state after binding the substrate to trigger their endocytosis. This down-regulation depends on the Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase and involves the recruitment of arrestin-like adaptors, resulting in the ubiquitylation and endocytosis of the permease.<p><p>Our work shows the importance of the structural analysis of yAAPs to get further insight into the different aspects of their function and regulation. We validate the use of a bacterial APC transporter, AdiC, to construct three-dimensional models of yAAPs that can be used to guide experimental analyses and to provide a molecular framework for data interpretation. Our results contribute to a better understating of the recognition mode of amino acids by their permeases, and the regulation of this transport in response to substrate binding. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Ce projet de thèse étudie la synthèse et les propriétés des triarylamines pour le transport d'électrons, d'ions ou de molécules d'eau, en se basant sur les propriétés d'auto-assemblage et de conductivité de certaines triarylamines, récemment découvertes par notre équipe. La thèse débute par une introduction sur la chimie supramoléculaire et les polymères supramoléculaires, et aborde ensuite dans son deuxième chapitre la synthèse et les propriétés d'analogues macrocycliques de triarylamine présentant des propriétés électromagnétiques intéressantes. Dans le chapitre suivant, ce travail de thèse explore l'applicabilité des triarylamines pour le transport biomimétique des ions métalliques et des molécules d'eau à travers des membranes de bicouches lipidiques. Le dernier chapitre de cette thèse s'intéresse ensuite à la fabrication de surfaces conductrices organiques / inorganiques hybrides par dopage de surfaces non conductrices avec des assemblages de triarylamines. / Based on the navel and highly interesting self-assembly properties found for certain triarylamines, together with the resulting conducting properties, this PhD project investigates the synthesis and properties of triarylamines towards the transport of electrons, ions or water molecules. The thesis starts with an introduction on supramolecular chemistry and supramolecular polymers, and then discuss in its second chapter the synthesis and properties of macrocyclic triarylamine analogues with interesting electromagnetic properties. ln the following third chapter this thesis work explores the applicability of triarylamines towards the biomimetic transport of metal ions and water molecules through lipid bilayer membranes. The last chapter of this thesis then deals with the fabrication of hybrid organic/inorganic conducting surfaces through doping of non-conducting surfaces with triarylamine assemblies.

Etliche Membran Transport Proteine (MTP) sind essentiell in den Plasmodium Blutstadien, und geraten zunehmend in den Fokus der Wirkstoffentwicklung. Die physiologischen Rollen der Transporter sind jedoch oft ungeklärt. In dieser Arbeit wurden mittels experimenteller Genetik funktionelle Charakteristika der MTPs untersucht. Am Maus Parasiten Plasmodium berghei und der Plasmodium falciparum Blutstadien-Kultur wurden vier MTPs ausgewählt: ein konservierter Folat Transporter (FT2), sowie eine P. falciparum-spezifisches P-Typ ATPase und zwei essentielle MTPs (CRT und ATP4). Diese Auswahl verkörpert ein breites Spektrum an MTP Kandidaten und reflektieren zudem das Potenzial und die Grenzen funktioneller Analysen von Plasmodium MTPs mittels reverser Genetik. Für den Folat Transporter 2 (FT2) wurde eine Kombination von transgenen Strategien auf P. berghei angewandt. Durch ein endogenes tag von FT2 wurde die Lokalisierung im Apicoplast, sowie dessen Expression über fast den kompletten Zyklus hinweg gezeigt. Nach der Deletion von FT2, wiesen die Parasiten einen Defekt während der Sporulation auf. Demzufolge bilden sich nur nicht infektiöse Sporozoiten, was letztendlich zur Unterbrechung des Lebenszyklus der Parasiten führt. Eine Aminophospholipid P-Typ ATPase, wurde mittels CRISPR/Cas9 in P. falciparum genetisch deletiert und die Mutante analysiert. Im Gegensatz zu den meisten vitalen P-Typ ATPasen erweist sich das Gen in den asexuellen Blutstadien als entbehrlich. Des Weiteren bilden die MTPs ATP4 und CRT einen einflussreichen Faktor bei Malaria-Therapien. Eine umfassende Analyse von räumlichen und zeitlichen Expressionsmustern von transgenen Parasiten mit mCherry-getaggten Proteinen zeigt ein Expression der beiden MTPs über die Blutstadien hinaus, was auf zusätzliche Funktionen in den jeweiligen Stadien verweist. Diese Studie trägt, basierend auf Lokalisation, Expression und funktioneller Deletion, zur funktionellen Entschlüsselung der vier untersuchten MTPs bei. / Many membrane transport proteins (MTP) are essential for Plasmodium infection and gain importance as candidate drug targets in malaria therapy, whereas the physiological functions often remain enigmatic. In this thesis, we applied experimental genetics to determine key characteristics of four Plasmodium MTPs. We employed the murine malaria model parasite Plasmodium berghei and in vitro blood cultures of Plasmodium falciparum. We selected one conserved MTP called FT2, which was previously shown to transport folate, a P-type ATPase that is specific for P. falciparum as well as two essential MTPs, CRT and ATP4. These targets exemplify the range of druggable candidates and illustrate the potential and limitations of reverse genetics to decipher their physiological roles. A combination of transgenic and knockout strategies was applied to the P. berghei folate transporter 2 (FT2). We show that endogenously tagged FT2 localises to the apicoplast membranes, and is broadly expressed throughout the parasite’s life cycle. Analysis of FT2-deficient parasites revealed a severe sporulation defect in the vector; the vast majority of ft2– oocysts form large intracellular vesicles which displace the cytoplasm. Very few sporozoites are generated and these are non-infectious to the mammalian host, resulting in a complete arrest of Plasmodium transmission. A candidate aminophospholipid P-type ATPase, was assessed by a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene disruption. Compared to many vital P-type ATPases this gene is dispensable for asexual blood replication. Two MTPs, ATP4 and CRT are prime targets for antimalarial therapies. A comprehensive spatio-temporal expression analysis of transgenic parasites expressing mCherry-tagged proteins revealed expression beyond blood infection, indicative of functions in additional parasite stages. The findings of this study contribute towards a better understanding of the roles of the four MTPs based on localisation, expression and functional deletion.

The principal psychoactive component of marihuana is Δ-9-tetrahy-drocannabinol. This compound at 10-5 molar concentration in the medium of human cell cultures appeared to inhibit DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis by 50, 40, and 30% respectively, as measured by incorporation of radioactive precursors into acid-insoluble cell fractions in human diploid fibroblasts, human neuroblastoma cells, and mouse neuroblastoma cells. While Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibited semiconservative DNA synthesis, it had no effect on DNA repair synthesis in human cells as assayed by the photolysis of 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into DNA during repair after ultraviolet radiation damage. Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol also had no effect on rejoining of DNA single-strand breaks induced by γ-rays. The nonspecificity of the inhibition of macromolecular synthesis by Δ-9-THC suggested a possible interference with uptake of radioactive precursors. However, experimentation has shown that this depression of macromolecular synthesis cannot be accounted for by reduced transport of radioactive precursors into the cell because the rate of transport of these precursors into the cell is essentially the same in the presence or absence of Δ-9-THC. Pool sizes of macromolecular precursors as measured radioisotopically (3Hthymidine, 3H-uridine, 14C-leucine) appear to be reduced about 50%, and this reduced pool size could fully account for the reduced macromolecular synthesis seen in the presence of Δ-9-THC. We do not know what causes this apparent reduction of pool sizes in the presence of Δ-9-THC.

Endocytosis is an essential function of eukaryotic cells, providing crucial nutrients and playing key roles in interactions of the plasma membrane with the environment. The classical view of the endocytic pathway, where vesicles from the plasma membrane fuse with a homogenous population of early endosomes from which cargo is sorted, has recently been challenged by the finding of multiple subpopulations of endosomes. These subpopulations vary in their content of phosphatidylinositol 3- phosphate (PI3P) and Rab binding proteins. The role of these endosomal subpopulations is unclear, as is the role of multiple PI3P effectors, which are ubiquitously expressed and highly conserved. One possibility is that the different subpopulations represent stages in the maturation of the endocytic pathway. Alternatively, endosome subpopulations may be specialized for different functions, such as preferential trafficking of specific endocytosed cargo. To determine whether specific receptors are targeted to distinct populations of endosomes, we have built a platform for total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy coupled with structured illumination capabilities named TESM (TIRF Epifluorescence Structured light Microscope.) In this study, TESM, along with standard biochemical and molecular biological tools, was used to analyze the dynamic distribution of two highly conserved Rab5 and PI3P effectors, EEA1 and Rabenosyn-5, and systematically study the trafficking of transferrin. Rabenosyn-5 is necessary for proper expression of the transferrin receptor as well as internalization and recycling of transferrin-transferrin receptor complexes. Results of combining TIRF with structured light Epifluorescence (SLE) indicate that the endogenous populations of EEA1 and Rabenoysn-5 are both distinct and partially overlapping. The application of antisense oligonucleotides as potential therapeutic agents requires effective methods for their delivery to the cytoplasm of target cells. In collaboration with RXi Pharmaceuticals we show the efficient cellular uptake of the antisense oligonucleotide sd-rxRNA® in the absence of delivery vehicle or protein carrier. In this study TIRF, SLE, and biochemical approaches were utilized to determine whether sd-rxRNA traffics and functions along specific endosomal pathways. Sd-rxRNA was found to traffic along the degradative pathway and require EEA1 to functionally silence its target. These new findings will help define the cellular pathways involved in RNA silencing. Neurotransmitter reuptake and reuse by neurotransmitter transport proteins is fundamental to transmitter homeostasis and synaptic signaling. In order to understand how trafficking regulates transporters in the brain and how this system may be disregulated in monoamine-related pathologies, the transporter internalization signals and their molecular partners must be defined. We utilized a yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with the dopamine transporter (DAT) endocytic signal. The small, membrane associated, GTPase Rin was determined to specifically and functionally interact with the DAT endocytic signal, regulating constitutive and protein kinase C (PKC) – stimulated DAT endocytosis. The results presented in this study provide new insights into functions and components of endocytosis and enhance the understanding of endocytic organization.

No description available.

Le myo-inositol (MI) est un soluté organique impliqué dans diverses fonctions physiologiques de la cellule dont la signalisation cellulaire. Il est également un osmolyte compatible reconnu. Trois co-transporteurs de type actif secondaire responsables de son absorption ont été identifiés. Deux d’entre eux sont couplés au transport du sodium (SMIT1 et SMIT2) et le troisième est couplé au transport de protons (HMIT). L’objectif de cette étude a été la caractérisation du transport du MI par SMIT2 dans des membranes en bordure en brosse (BBMv) issues du rein de lapin et de l’intestin de rat ainsi qu’après expression dans les ovocytes de Xenopus laevis. La quantification de l’ARNm de SMIT1 et de SMIT2 dans le rein nous a appris que SMIT1 est majoritairement présent dans la médullaire alors que SMIT2 est principalement localisé dans le cortex. Ces résultats ont été confirmés par immunobuvardage en utilisant un anticorps dirigé contre SMIT2. Grâce à l’inhibition sélective de SMIT1 par le L-Fucose et de SMIT2 par le D-chiro-inositol (DCI), nous avons démontré que SMIT2 semble le seul responsable du transport luminal de MI dans le tubule contourné proximal avec un Km de 57 ± 14 µM. Pour ce qui est de l’intestin, des études de transport de MI radioactif ont démontré une absence de transport de MI chez le lapin alors que l’intestin de rat présente un transport de MI très actif. Une quantification par qRT-PCR nous a permis de constater que l’intestin de lapin ne semble pas posséder les transporteurs de MI nécessaires. Comme pour le rein, SMIT2 semble le seul transporteur de MI présent au niveau du pôle apical des entérocytes intestinaux chez le rat. Il est chargé du prélèvement du MI de l'alimentation avec un Km de 150 ± 40 µM. Les analyses fonctionnelles exécutées sur SMIT2 de rat en électrophysiologie après expression dans les ovocytes de Xenopus laevis donnent sensiblement les mêmes résultats que pour les BBMv de rein de lapin et d’intestin de rat. Dans les ovocytes, SMIT2 présente une grande affinité pour le MI (270 ± 19 µM) et le DCI (310 ± 60 µM) et aucune affinité pour le L-fucose. Il est ii également très sensible à la phlorizine (16 ± 7 µM). Une seule exception persiste : la constante d’affinité pour le glucose dans les BBMv d’intestin de rat est 40 fois plus petite que celle observée sur les ovocytes de Xenopus laevis. Nous avons également testé la capacité de certains transporteurs de sucre présents à la surface des membranes apicales des entérocytes à prélever le MI. Vu que l'inhibition de ces transporteurs (SGLT1 et GLUT5) ne changeait rien au taux de MI radioactif transporté, nous en avons conclu qu'ils ne sont pas impliqués dans son transport. Finalement, l’efflux de MI à partir du pôle basolatéral des entérocytes n’est pas effectué par GLUT2 puisque ce dernier lorsqu'il est exprimé dans des ovocytes, est incapable de transporter le MI. / Myo-inositol (MI) is an organic solute involved in various aspects of cell physiology, including cell signaling. It is also known as a compatible osmolyte. Three secondary active MI cotransporters have been identified; two are Na+- coupled (SMIT1 and SMIT2) and one is H+-coupled (HMIT). The main aim of this study was to characterize MI uptake throught SMIT2 as expressed in epithelial cells and in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In order to achieve the characterization of this transport system, we used purified brush border membrane vesicles (BBMv) isolated from rabbit kidney and rat intestine. We first performed a quantification of mRNA levels in rabbit kidney using real time PCR for both SMIT1 and SMIT2. We found that SMIT1 is mainly expressed in the renal medulla while SMIT2 is mainly localized in the renal cortex. This result was confirmed on Western blots using an antibody raised against SMIT2. Through inhibition studies using selective substrates for SMIT1 (inhibited by L-fucose) and SMIT2 (inhibited by D-chiroinositol), we showed that SMIT2 seems to be responsible for all the apical transport of MI into the proximal convoluted tubule with a Km of 57 ± 14 µM. By transport studies we established that rabbit intestine seems to lack apical transport of MI while rat intestine has a very active uptake of this molecule. qRT-PCR quantification confirmed the absence of MI transporters in rabbit intestine. As for kidney, SMIT2 seems to be the only transporter responsible for apical MI uptake in enterocytes with a Km of 150 ± 40 µM. Functional analysis of rat SMIT2 activity, via electrophysiological studies in Xenopus oocytes, demonstrated similarities to the activities of SMIT2 from rat intestine and rabbit kidney. SMIT2 displays high affinities for MI (270 ± 19 µM), DCI (310 ± 60 µM) and no affinity for L-fucose. SMIT2 is very sensitive to phlorizin (Pz; 16 ± 7 µM). Although these functional characteristics essentially confirmed those found in rat intestine, a iv discrepancy exists between the two systems studied. Indeed, the affinity constant for glucose was approximately 40-fold lower in vesicles than in oocytes. We also tested the ability of SGLT1 and GLUT5, other sugar transport systems present in enterocytes apical membranes, to perform MI uptake. Because the inhibition of these transporters did not alter radiolabeled MI uptake, we concluded that they had no significant contribution to MI transport in rat intestine. Finally, the basolateral efflux of MI was not mediated by GLUT2 because when expressed in oocytes, this transporter was not able to transport MI.

La symbiose ectomycorhizienne, répandue dans les forêts tempérées et boréales, se base sur des échanges nutritionnels entre la plante hôte et des champignons du sol. Ce mutualisme améliore la nutrition minérale et en eau de plantes ligneuses à travers des mécanismes encore méconnus. Ce manuscrit de thèse présente l’ensemble des systèmes de transport membranaire du champignon ectomycorhizien Hebeloma cylindrosporum identifié à partir du génome séquencé, avec un accent sur les gènes dont l’expression est induite en symbiose avec son hôte naturel, le pin maritime (Pinus pinaster). Ces données aideront à focaliser les futures recherches sur les gènes qui sont induits par la symbiose. Le champignon H. cylindrosporum améliore la nutrition potassique de son hôte en situation de carence. Cette étude est axée sur trois canaux ioniques qui peuvent être impliqués dans le transfert de K+ vers la plante. Ces canaux appartiennent à la famille TOK (Tandem-pore Outward-rectifying K+), spécifique de champignons et ont été caractérisés par plusieurs approches expérimentales. Des analyses in silico ont déterminé que ces trois canaux appartiennent à deux sous-familles et ont été nommés HcTOK1, HcTOK2.1 et HcTOK2.2. Leurs propriétés fonctionnelles ont été caractérisées par expression hétérologue pour une analyse en voltage-clamp à deux électrodes et complémentation de levures. La localisation a été étudiée par hybridation in situ en mycorhizes et par fusions gène-eGFP exprimés chez la levure et chez H. cylindrosporum. Le rôle physiologique des canaux HcTOK a été testé en culture pure et en symbiose avec P. pinaster grâces à des lignées transgéniques surexprimant ces gènes. En plus, les effets de la mycorhization par H. cylindrosporum et la nutrition potassique ont été testés chez P. pinaster cultivé en conditions de stress salin. Dans un premier temps, la tolérance du champignon au stress salin a été vérifiée en culture pure, ainsi que l’élément toxique de ce stress. Ensuite, le champignon a été cultivé en deux conditions de nutrition potassique et quatre de salinité pour connaître son homéostasie du K+ et analyser l’expression de ses systèmes de transport. Finalement, des plantules de P. pinaster ont été cultivées inoculées ou non en deux conditions de K+ et quatre de stress salin. En résumé, l’analyse de trois canaux HcTOK ont permis de démontrer les spécificités pour les sous-familles TOK1 et TOK2 et ont suggéré que HcTOK2.2 est probablement un élément clé pour le transfert du K+ via la plante en mycorhize. H. cylindrosporum semble jouer un rôle dans la tolérance à la salinité du pin maritime en diminuant le transfert du Na+ vers la plante et améliorant la nutrition potassique. / The ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, widespread in temperate and boreal ecosystems, is based in nutritional exchanges between the host plant and soil-borne fungi. This mutualism improves plant mineral and water nutrition of woody plants through mechanisms that are still largely unknown. This manuscript presents the whole set of membrane transport systems of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma cylindrosporum identified from the sequenced genome, with an emphasis on the genes that are up-regulated in symbiosis with its natural host, the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). These data will help to focalize future research on symbiosis-induced genes. The fungus H. cylindrosporum enhances the potassium (K+) nutrition of P. pinaster under starvation. This study has focused on three ion channels that could transfer the K+ to the plant. These channels belong to the fungal-specific TOK (Tandem-pore Outward-rectifying K+) family and have been characterized using several approaches. In silico analyses have positioned them in two subfamilies, giving them the names HcTOK1, HcTOK2.1 and HcTOK2.2. Their functional activity has been characterized by heterologous expression for two-electrode voltage-clamp measurements and yeast complementation. Localization has been studied by in situ hybridization in mycorrhiza and by expression of gene-eGFP constructs in yeast and H. cylindrosporum. The physiological role of these channels has been tested in pure culture and symbiosis with transgenic fungal lines overexpressing the HcTOK channels. Furthermore, the effects of H. cylindrosporum and K+ nutrition have been tested in P. pinaster seedlings subjected to salt stress. First, the tolerance to salinity of the fungus was analysed in pure culture with different compounds to identify the most toxic component. Second, the fungus was cultured in different NaCl and K+ conditions to know whether it kept the homeostasis and to check the expression of K+ transport systems. Finally, P. pinaster seedlings were cultured inoculated or not in two different K+ nutrition and four salinity conditions. Altogether, analysis of the three HcTOK channels revealed specificities of the TOK1- and TOK2-type and suggested that HcTOK2.2 might be a main player for the K+ transfer from the fungus towards the plant. H. cylindrosporum seems to play a role in the tolerance to salt stress of the maritime pine by reducing the Na+ transfer to the plant and improving K+ nutrition.

Jogo patológico (JP) pode ser definido pela persistência e recorrência do comportamento de apostar em jogos de azar, apesar de prejuízos em diversas áreas da vida decorrentes dessa atividade. O JP é considerado um transtorno do controle de impulso e um modelo de dependência comportamental. Diferentes estudos têm comprovado o envolvimento de vias dopaminérgicas em dependências de substâncias e em jogadores patológicos. O transportador de doamina (DAT) é uma proteína présináptica de neurônios dopaminérgicos nigroestriatais, responsável pela recaptação da dopamina (DA) da fenda sináptica, e tem sido relatada alterações em sua densidade em dependentes de substâncias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar em pacientes com jogo patológico, a densidade de DAT no estriado, através de imagens do exame de SPECT com TRODAT-1- 99mTc verificar por meio de estudo de correlação a associação entre comportamento de jogo (freqüência, tempo, dinheiro, gastos com jogo e fissura/craving) e a densidade DAT em jogadores patológicos. Foram selecionados 15 jogadores e 15 controles normais pareados para gênero, idade e escolaridade. Para inclusão ou exclusão de sujeitos foram utilizados instrumentos de verificação e principais Transtornos Psiquiátricos do Eixo 1 do DSM IV e escalas para depressão e ansiedade; para jogadores patológicos os instrumentos utilizados foram escalas para avaliação do padrão de jogo recente, para avaliação da fissura pelo jogo; para rastreamento de outras dependências comportamentais (sexo e comida). Observou-se que: 1) jogadores patológicos não apresentaram aumento de densidade DAT quando comparados a controles normais; 2) nos jogadores a densidade de DAT foi diretamente proporcional a intensidade de jogo no último mês e inversamente proporcional a auto-eficácia na abstinência do jogo. Não houve correlação significativa entre densidade de DAT e comportamentos de abuso relacionados com sexo ou comida. Desta forma, faz-se necessário estudos futuros para a avaliação da densidade de DAT no início e no fim do tratamento, a fim de verificar se a diminuição da densidade de DAT ao longo do tratamento pode ser utilizada como preditor de boa resposta e bom prognóstico em jogadores patológicos. / Pathological gambling (PG) can be defined by the persistence and recurrence of the behavior of gambling on games of chance, despite losses in many areas of life from this activity. The JP is considered a disorder of impulse control and a model of behavioral dependence. Different studies have demonstrated the involvement of dopaminergic pathways in substance dependency and pathological gamblers. The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a protein pre-synaptic dopaminergic neurons nigroestriatais responsible for the reuptake of dopamine (DA) from the synaptic cleft, and has been reported changes in the density-dependent substances. The objective of this study was to investigate in patients with pathological gambling, the density of DAT in the striatum, through examination of SPECT images with TRODAT-1 - 99mTc to verify through correlation study the association between gambling behavior (frequency, time, money spent on gambling and urge / craving) and DAT density in pathological gamblers. We selected 15 plathological gamblers and 15 controls matched for gender, age and education. For inclusion or exclusion of subjects were used verification tools and major psychiatric disorders in the DSM IV Axis 1 and scales for depression and anxiety; for pathological gamblers were the instruments used scales for assessing the standard of play recently, to evaluate the crack for the game; for tracking other behavioral addictions (sex and food). It was observed that: 1) pathological gamblers did not have increased DAT density compared with normal controls, 2) players in the density of DAT was directly proportional to the intensity of gambling in the last month and inversely proportional to self-efficacy on abstinence of gambling. There was no significant correlation between DAT density and behavior of abuse related to sex or food. Thus, it is necessary to future studies for evaluating the density of DAT at the beginning and end of treatment in order to determine whether the decrease in density during the treatment DAT can be used as predictor of good response and a good prognosis in pathological gamblers.