Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) and MSRB are responsible for the repairing of methionine-R-sulfoxide (Met-S-SO) and methionine-S-sulfoxide (Met-R-SO) back to me-thionine, respectively. Five MSRA isoforms and four MSRB isoforms are discovered in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Whether high light regulates CrMSR ex-pression via photosynthetic electron transport (PET) was examined. By checking the se-quence of PCR product of each isoform, quantitative real-time primers were designed for discrimination of isoform expression. Light ≥ 300 £gE m-2 s-1 and PET inhibitors inhibited PSII activity (Fv/Fm, Fv´/Fm´) and photosynthetic O2 evolution rate, particularly 1,000 £gE m-2 s-1, in which it did not recover after 3 h. A transfer to dark decreased CrMSRA2, CrMSRA3, CrMSRB1.1, CrMSRB1.2, CrMSRB2.1 mRNA levels but increased CrMSRA4 mRNA levels. When exposed to 50, 300, 600, or 1,000 £gE m-2 s-1, CrMSRA2, CrMSRA3, CrMSRA5, CrMSRB1.1, CrMSRB2.1 and CrMSRB2.2 mRNA levels increased as light ≥ 300 £gE m-2 s-1, and concomitantly CrMSRA4 mRNA level decreased. Changes in mRNA levels increased as light intensity increased. The treatment of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) in 1,000 £gE m-2 s-1 inhibited high light effect, and the treatment of 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6- isopropyl-p- benzoquinone (DBMIB) in 50 £gE m-2 s-1 increased CrMSRA3, CrMSRA5 and CrMSRB2.2 mRNA levels but decreased CrMSRA4 mRNA level. The application of phena-zine methosulfate (PMS), an electron donor to P700+ that promotes cyclic electron transport, in 300 £gE m-2 s-1 enhanced the increase of CrMSRA3 and CrMSRA5 mRNA levels by high light but inhibited the decrease of CrMSRA4 mRNA level, reflecting a role of cyclic PET. The above results let us to draw a conclusion that plastoquinone as reduced status mediates the expression of CrMSRA3, CrMSRA4, CrMSRA5 and CrMSRB2.2 by high light. The im-plication of linear electron transport and cyclic electron transport on the regulation of CrMSR gene expression will be discussed.We speculated that the high light up-regulation of CrMSR mRNA expression offers the resistance of Chlamydomonas to photooxidative stress.

Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is post-transcriptionally modified by site-specific enzymes. The role of most modifications is not known and little is known about how these enzymes recognize their target substrates. In this thesis, we have structurally and functionally characterized two S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) dependent 23S rRNA methyltransferases (MTases) that act during the early stages of ribosome assembly in E. coli. RlmM methylates the 2'O-ribose of C2498 in 23S rRNA. We have solved crystal structures of apo RlmM at 1.9Å resolution and of an RlmM-SAM complex at 2.6Å resolution. The RlmM structure revealed an N-terminal THUMP domain and a C-terminal catalytic Rossmann-fold MTase domain. A continuous patch of conserved positive charge on the RlmM surface is likely used for RNA substrate recognition. The SAM-binding site is open and shallow, suggesting that the RNA substrate may be required for tight cofactor binding. Further, we have shown RlmM MTase activity on in vitro transcribed 23S rRNA and its domain V. RlmJ methylates the exocyclic N6 atom of A2030 in 23S rRNA. The 1.85Å crystal structure of RlmJ revealed a Rossmann-fold MTase domain with an inserted small subdomain unique to the RlmJ family. The 1.95Å structure of the RlmJ-SAH-AMP complex revealed that ligand binding induces structural rearrangements in the four loop regions surrounding the active site. The active site of RlmJ is similar to N6-adenine DNA MTases. We have shown RlmJ MTase activity on in vitro transcribed 23S rRNA and a minimal substrate corresponding to helix 72, specific for adenosine. Mutagenesis experiments show that residues Y4, H6, K18 and D164 are critical for catalytic activity. These findings have furthered our understanding of the structure, evolution, substrate recognition and mechanism of rRNA MTases.

LIMA JÚNIOR, José Alves de. Espectroscopia Raman dos Aminoácidos L - metionina e DL - alanina e de Nanotubos de Carbono. 2008. 214 f. Tese (Doutorado) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Centro de Ciências, Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2008. / Submitted by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2014-05-13T22:56:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_tese_jalimajúnior.pdf: 3662330 bytes, checksum: ad8b8ed63bf2df476f4e050aae5f5d70 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires(edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2014-05-14T18:26:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_tese_jalimajúnior.pdf: 3662330 bytes, checksum: ad8b8ed63bf2df476f4e050aae5f5d70 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-14T18:26:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_tese_jalimajúnior.pdf: 3662330 bytes, checksum: ad8b8ed63bf2df476f4e050aae5f5d70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / This work describes polarized Raman scattering measurements in L-methionine and in DL-alanine (two amino acids) crystals and in several samples of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). In L-methionine crystal the Raman spectra were obtained from 17 K to 295 K in the spectral range from 50 cm-1 to 3100 cm-1, but no indication of a phase transition was observed. At room temperature, Raman scattering measurements were also performed for pressure up to 5 GPa. Several changes observed in the spectra were interpreted as due to structural phase transition undergone by L-methionine crystal at ~ 2.1 GPa. The results for decompression show that the phase transition is reversible with a hysteresis of ~ 0.8 GPa. In DL-alanine crystal the Raman spectra were obtained at temperatures from 15 K to 295 K over the spectral range 50 cm-1 - 3100 cm-1. No evidence of structural phase transition was found in this range of temperature, although information about diverse modes of the crystal were furnished. Samples of SWNT’s studied were prepared with metallic catalysts using the arc voltaic method. MnNiCo was the main compound of the first series and FeNiCo, the main compound of the second. In both sets it was observed that Cerium (Ce) insertion induces in the sub-set, probed with the 2.41 eV excitation energy, a narrowing of the diameter distribution favoring the tubes with smaller diameter. The Raman scattering measurements in a commercial sample of SWNT’s show a discontinuity at about 2 GPa. The discontinuity was represented by a changing in the slope of the frequency versus pressure for tangential modes. The measurement was performed twice, using two different solutions of surfactants, sodium dodecil sulfate (SDS) and plurocic acid F127 (F127), and the results were similar. The anomaly was interpreted as due to the deformation of the tubes as predicted theoretically. Two sets of three samples of SWNT’s containing different levels of lithium insertion were also analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Each set of sample was formed by a sample with lithium, a sample without lithium and a sample with partial insertion of lithium. The results show that the lithium is efficiently intercalated with both lithium containing compound (LiCO3/NiO/CoO and LiNi0.5Co0.5O2), but the mechanism of intercalation differs from one to the other. The intercalation is unstable when lithium is intercalated interstitially (LiNi0.5Co0.5O2) and it can be removed almost completely by washing the sample, but if the lithium is intercalated inside the tubes (LiCO3/NiO/CoO) it can not be removed by the same process. / No presente trabalho foram realizadas medidas de espalhamento Raman polarizado em cristais de L-metionina e de DL-alanina (dois aminoácidos) e em diversas amostras de nanotubos de carbono de parede simples (SWNT). As medidas de espalhamento Raman em cristais de L-metionina foram realizadas no intervalo espectral entre 50 cm-1 e 3100 cm-1 desde a temperatura ambiente até a temperatura de 17 K. No intervalo de temperatura estudado a estrutura da L-metionina manteve-se estável. À temperatura ambiente também foram realizadas medidas Raman em altas pressões hidrostáticas. A máxima pressão atingida foi de 4,7 GPa e diversas modificações nos modos associados às unidades CO2, NH3, CC, CS, CH, CH2 e CH3 sugerem que a L-metionina sofre um transição estrutural de fase em torno de 2,1 GPa com histerese de aproximadamente 0,8 GPa. No cristal de DL-alanina foram realizadas medidas de espalhamento Raman no intervalo de temperatura de 15 K a 295 K. Embora nenhuma mudança significativa tenha sido observada neste intervalo de temperatura, os resultados são importantes para se entender o comportamento de uma molécula fundamental na constituição das proteínas. Medidas de espalhamento Raman em SWNT’s foram realizadas em amostras preparadas pela técnica de arco voltáico, utilizando-se vários catalisadores metálicos. As amostras foram divididas em duas séries: A primeira com os catalisadores à base de MnNiCo e a segunda à base de FeNiCo. Em ambas as séries observou-se que a inserção de Cério (Ce) foi responsável por tornar a distribuição de diâmetros do subconjunto ressonante com a energia 2,41 eV mais estreita. Além disso, o máximo da distribuição é deslocado para o azul, provavelmente em conseqüência da seleção de tubos de menor diâmetro dentro do subconjunto estudado. A inserção de Zircônio (Zr) à segunda série não trouxe mudanças significativas. Foram realizadas medidas de espalhamento Raman em função da pressão hidrostática em uma amostra comercial de SWNT. Como fluido transmissor foram utilizadas soluções de dois surfactantes: o dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) e o ácido plurônico F127 (F127). Devido à baixa relação sinal-ruído, não foi possível estudar o comportamento dos modos de respiração radial (RBM), mas pela descontinuidade do gráfico da freqüência em função da pressão dos modos tangenciais em aproximadamente 2 GPa é provável que os nanotubos sofram uma transição de fase estrutural nessa pressão, com deformação da seção circular dos tubos como predito por estudos teóricos. Dois conjuntos de amostras contendo diferentes níveis de inserção de lítio também foram estudados por espectroscopia Raman. Cada conjunto era formado por uma amostra sem lítio, uma com lítio e a terceira com inserção parcial de lítio (obtida pela lavagem da amostra que contém lítio). Nos dois conjuntos a inserção foi eficiente, contudo o mecanismo de inserção é diferente de uma série para outra. Na primeira série o catalisador utilizado para a inserção de lítio foi LiNi0,5Co0,5O2. Com este composto o lítio é intercalado intersticialmente e pode ser removido quase que completamente pela lavagem da amostra. Já na segunda série o composto utilizado foi LiCO3/NiO/CoO o que fez com que o lítio fosse intercalado dentro dos tubos de modo a não ser removido pela lavagem da amostra.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:48:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cleiton_Pagliari_Sangali.PDF: 810970 bytes, checksum: 721cfbdc17482672e30e45378a255317 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-14 / Fundação Araucária / Aiming to assess the relative bioefficacy of DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid (DL-HMBA) and of poly-herbal ingredient (PHI) relative to DL-methionine (DLM) in broilers, two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, 1100 Cobb 500 males and females broilers were fed either, from 1 to 21 days of age with a methionine-deficient basal diet, or the basal diet with three levels (0.170, 0.340, 0.511%) of DL-HMBA or three levels (0.111, 0.221, 0.332%) of DLM in equivalent amount of 65% of the levels of DL-HMBA or still, three levels (0.111, 0.221, 0.332%) of PHI, in equivalent amount the levels of DLM. In the second experiment, 900 Cobb 500 male broilers were fed either, from 22 to 42 days of age with a methionine-deficient basal diet, or the basal diet with three levels (0.143, 0.286 e 0.429%) of DL-HMBA or three levels (0.093, 0.186 e 0.279%) of DLM in equivalent amount of 65% of the levels of DL-HMBA or still, three levels (0.093, 0.186 e 0.279%) of PHI, in equivalent amount the levels of DLM. Simultaneous regression analysis was used to determine the bioefficacy based on weight gain and in feed conversion the of birds of experiments I and II, being that, in experiment II the bioefficacy values were also determined in function of the carcass characteristics of broilers fed with each methionine source. Performance was improved with supplementation of DL-HMBA or DLM in equivalent amount to 65% (DLM-65) of the levels of DL-HMBA, relative to those broilers fed the basal diet. However these responses were not so evident in birds supplemented with PHI. In the first experiment (stage of 1 to 21 days of age), simultaneous linear regression analysis revealed relative bioefficacy of DL-HMBA relative to DLM 39% and 44% for weight gain and feed conversion, on a product basis, respectively, being that, the performance data of birds supplemented with PHI not adjusted the simultaneously regression models, thereby, was not possible determine the bioefficacy of PHI in relation to the DLM. In the second experiment (stage of 22 to 42 days of age), simultaneous exponential regression analysis revealed bioefficacy relative of DL-HMBA and of PHI relative to DLM of 52% and 5% for weight gain and of 57% and 4% for feed conversion, on a product basis, respectively. To breast yield, the simultaneous linear regression analysis revealed relative bioefficacy of DL-HMBA in relation to DLM the 65% on a product basis. The results of this study indicate that the relative bioefficacy of DL-HMBA relative to DLM for broilers in stages of 1 to 21 and from 22 to 42 days old are respectively 42% and 58% on a product basis on average across all criteria tested / Com o objetivo de avaliar a bioeficácia do ácido DL-2-hidróxi-4 (metil) butanoico (DL-HMB) e de um poli ingrediente de ervas (PIE) em relação à DL-metionina (DLM) em frangos de corte foram realizados dois experimentos. No primeiro experimento, 1100 pintos de corte, da linhagem comercial Cobb 500, machos e fêmeas, foram alimentados de 1 a 21 dias de idade com uma dieta basal, deficiente em metionina + cistina, ou a dieta basal suplementada com três níveis (0,170, 0,340, 0,511%) de DL-HMB ou três níveis de DLM (0,111, 0,221, 0,332%) em quantidade equivalente a 65% dos nível de DL-HMB, ou ainda três níveis de PIE (0,111, 0,221, 0,332%), em quantidade equivalente aos níveis de DLM. No segundo experimento, 900 frangos de corte machos da linhagem Cobb 500 foram alimentados dos 22 aos 42 dias de idade com uma dieta basal deficiente em metionina, ou a dieta basal suplementada com três níveis (0,143, 0,286 e 0,429%) de DL-HMB ou três níveis de DLM (0,093, 0,186 e 0,279%) em quantidade equivalente a 65% dos nível de DL-HMB, ou ainda três níveis de PIE (0,093, 0,186 e 0,279%), em quantidade equivalente aos níveis de DLM. A análise de regressão simultânea foi usada para determinar a bioeficácia baseada no peso corporal e na conversão alimentar das aves dos experimentos I e II sendo que, no experimento II os valores de bioeficácia também foram determinados em função das características de carcaça das aves alimentadas com cada fonte de metionina. O desempenho foi melhorado com a suplementação de DL-HMB ou DLM em quantidade equivalente a 65% (DLM-65) dos níveis de DL-HMB, em relação aos frangos alimentados com as dietas basais. No entanto estas respostas não foram tão evidentes nas aves suplementadas com PIE. Para o primeiro experimento (fase de 1 aos 21 dias de idade) a análise de regressão linear simultânea revelou bioeficácia relativa do DL-HMB em relação à DLM de 39% e 44% para ganho de peso e conversão alimentar, em base de produto, respectivamente, sendo que, os dados de desempenho das aves suplementadas com PIE não se ajustaram significativamente aos modelos de regressão simultânea, desta forma não sendo possível determinar a bioeficácia do PIE em relação à DLM. No segundo experimento (fase de 22 aos 42 dias de idade), a análise de regressão exponencial simultânea revelou bioeficácia relativa do DL-HMB e do PIE em relação à DLM de 52% e 5% para ganho de peso e de 57% e 4% para conversão alimentar, em base de produto, respectivamente. Em relação ao rendimento de peito, a análise de regressão linear simultânea revelou uma bioeficácia relativa do DL-HMB em relação à DLM de 65%, em base de produto. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que a bioeficácia relativa do DL-HMB em relação à DLM para frangos de corte nas fases de 1 aos 21 e dos 22 aos 42 dias de idade são respectivamente de 42% e 58% numa base de produto, em média, em todos os critérios testados

The formation and patterns of a monolayer are determined by the interplay of two fundamental interactions, adsorbate-substrate and intermolecular interactions. The binding strength between adsorbate and substrate affects the mobility of the adsorbate at the surface and the stability of the complex. The intermolecular interaction plays a significant role in the monolayer patterns on the epitaxial layer of the substrate. A monolayer can be formed either by a spontaneous self-assembly, or by fabrication via atomic-layer deposition (ALD). The physical and chemical properties of the resulting monolayer have a broad array of applications in fabricating functional materials for hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces, biological sensors, alternating the properties of the substrate, catalysis and forming ordered layered structures. In this dissertation, the investigation focuses primarily on the influence of the surface topology on the binding behaviour of adsorbate-surface complexes. The state of the art DFT-TS method is used to simulate the sulfur-containing amino acids at complex gold surfaces and examine the relationship between the binding strengths and the binding sites with various nearest neighbouring environments. The same method is also used to determine if a chemical reaction will take place for various catalytic silicon precursors at a silicon oxide surface. Simulating surface chemistry using the DFT-TS method requires intensive com- puting resources, including CPU use and computing time. Another focus of this dissertation is to increase the data generating speed by reducing the size of the sim- ulated systems without altering the outcome. A relatively small gold cluster is used to study the binding behaviours of small organic molecules on the cluster. The same strategy is also used to simulate the chemical reactions between various self-catalying silicon precursors and a water molecule. / Graduate / 2021-10-21

Le travail présenté dans cet ouvrage porte sur la synthèse diastéréosélective d’analogues de nucléosides et leurs usages thérapeutiques. L’intérêt pour cette classe de molécules comme agents anti-cancer et/ou antiviraux réside dans l’existence d’acides nucléiques (sous la forme d’ADN ou d’ARN) nécessaires à la reproduction des cellules cancéreuses et la réplication virale. Plusieurs cofacteurs enzymatiques importants possèdent également une structure nucléosidique et occupent des rôles clés dans les processus cellulaires. La première partie concerne le développement d’une sonde chimique pour l’inhibition de protéines méthyltransférases (PMTs). Cette famille d’enzymes assure la méthylation de protéines, soit une modification post-traductionnelle qui a été associée récemment à certaines maladies incluant le cancer. Sur la base de la structure du cofacteur naturel S-adénosyl-L-méthionine (SAM) et d’inhibiteurs émergents, de nouveaux nucléosides fluorés ont été conçus et synthétisés pour potentiellement améliorer l’activité inhibitrice vis-à-vis certaines de ces enzymes. En collaboration avec le SGC de Toronto, les analogues de nucléosides ont été testés biologiquement et certains ont présenté une activité intéressante contre la lysine méthyltransférase SETDB1. La seconde partie, quant à elle, porte sur la synthèse d’une nouvelle famille d’analogues de nucléosides C2'-fluorés comportant un centre quaternaire fonctionnalisé en position C3'. Différentes bases azotées ont été introduites diastéréosélectivement et, plus de vingt analogues de nucléosides et pronucléotides ont été préparés. Une collaboration avec le laboratoire de la Pre Mona Nemer à l’Université d’Ottawa a permis de les tester in vitro sur des lignées cellulaires cancéreuses du pancréas, où certains montrent une activité biologique intéressante. / The work presented in this manuscript describes the diastereoselective synthesis of nucleoside analogues and their therapeutic uses. The interest in this important class of molecules as anticancer and/or antiviral agents stems from the administration of modified nucleosides that interfere with cell division and viral replication through incorporation into DNA and RNA and/or inhibition of essential enzymes. These analogues thus compete with their natural counterparts to inhibit the synthesis of nucleotides which is the limiting process in cell proliferation. The first objective of this thesis is the development of a chemical probe with inhibitory properties against protein methyltransferases (PMTs). This enzyme family is responsible for protein methylation, a post-translational modification recently linked to cancer and other diseases. Based on the structure of the natural cofactor, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), novel fluorinated nucleoside analogues were synthesized in an effort to further improve biological activity. In collaboration with the SGC in Toronto, two of these compounds showed interesting activity toward the lysine methyltransferase SETDB1. The second part of this thesis describes the synthesis of a new family of nucleoside analogues bearing a C2' fluorine and a novel all-carbon quaternary center at C3'. Generation of these molecules required optimization of the glycosylation reaction to incorporate various nucleobases as well as modifications to the substituents on the sugar backbone. This resulted in the synthesis of more than twenty analogues including pronucleotides. The biological activity of these molecules was determined in collaboration with Pre Mona Nemer’s laboratory at the University of Ottawa. Such nucleoside analogues have shown interesting activity against pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Peptide-bound methionine may transfer oxidative damage from the thioether side chain to the peptide backbone, catalyzing decomposition in general and α-amidation in particular. In the present study, we focused on the reactivity and reaction pathways of peptides. We synthesized model peptides comprising methionine or not and investigated their overall tendency towards decomposition and formation of specific products under conditions mimicking the cooking process at 100°C in buffered solution (pH 6.0) in the presence of redox-active substances such as transition metal ions and reductones. Peptides containing methionine were more susceptible to α-amidation under all oxidative conditions, and the products of N-terminus-directed α-amidation were quantified. Exemplarily, after incubation in the presence of cupric sulfate, about 2.0 mol-% of the overall decomposition of Z-glycylmethionylglycine accounted for the formation of Z-glycinamide, whereas it was below 0.1 mol-% for Z-glycylalanylglycine. Surprisingly and different from previous observations, C-terminus-directed α-amidation was observed for the first time. From Z-glycylmethionylglycine, the respective products were formed in higher amounts than the N-terminus-directed α-amidation product Z-glycinamide under all applied oxidation conditions. The preference of electron transfer from the amino nitrogen bound in the peptide bond directed to the C-terminus may be ascribed to a sterically less demanding hexagonal 3-electron-2-center intermediate during methionine-catalyzed α-amidation.

No description available.