A obesidade, doença multifatorial, ocasiona inúmeros distúrbios no metabolismo lipídico e energético, provocando disfunção na bioenergética mitocondrial. A partir deste fato, o presente estudo teve como hipóteses que: o desequilíbrio na bioenergética mitocondrial e as alterações metabólicas causadas pela obesidade são terapeuticamente modificados com o treinamento físico. Dessa maneira, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a capacidade oxidativa e conteúdo mitocondrial em tecido adiposo branco, marcadores de doenças cardiosculares (esfingolipídios e N-óxido de trimetilamina, TMAO) e as alterações na composição corporal, desempenho físico e taxa metabólica de repouso (TMR) de mulheres com obesidade submetidas a treinamento físico combinado. A casuística do presente trabalho foi composta de 14 mulheres adultas jovens com diagnótico clínico de obesidade (IMC 33±3 kg/m² e idade 35±6 anos). Foram submetidas a um programa de treinamento físico combinado (exercícios aeróbios e força alternadamente, 55 min à 75-90% da frequência cardíaca máxima, 3 vezes por semana, durante 8 semanas). Todas as participantes foram avaliadas antes e após a intervenção com o treinamento, quanto a: composição corporal, TMR, oxidação de substratos (carboidrato e lipídios) e coeficiente respiratório (QR), desempenho físico, capacidade oxidativa (respiração acoplada: VADP/VOLIGO, e respiração desacoplada: VOLIGO/VCCCP) e conteúdo mitocondrial (enzima citrato sintase, CS) em tecido adiposo branco, nível de esfingolípidios, TMAO e precursores plasmáticos. Os dados foram analisados pelo test t pareado ou Wilcoxon (as pacientes foram consideradas controle de si próprio), após determinação da normalidade da amostra, considerado nível de significância p<= 0,05. Após a intervenção (treinamento físico combinado), houve o aumento da TMR, oxidação de lipídios e desempenho físico, com redução da oxidação de carboidratos e QR, mas não houve perda de peso e alteração da composição corporal. Após o treinamento combinado houve, o aumento da atividade da enzima CS (marcador de conteúdo mitocondrial) e redução à respiração desacoplada (VOLIGO/VCCCP). No plasma, o treinamento físico foi capaz de reduzir os níveis de esfingolipídios e TMAO (fatores de risco cardiovasculares). Também foram encontradas correlações positivas entre TMR, oxidação de lipídios e desempenho físico com CS e negativamente correlacionado com respiração desacoplada. Concluindo, o treinamento físico em mulheres com obesidade aumentou o metabolismo energético, com aumento da TMR, conteúdo e grau de acoplamento mitocondrial, aumentou o desempenho físico e reduziu fatores de risco cardiovasculares (TMAO), independente da perda de peso. / The obesity, a multifactorial disease, causes various metabolic disorders in lipid and energy metabolism, may induce mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction. From this, the present study hypothesized that: mitochondrial bioenergetics dysfunction and metabolic problems caused by obesity are be therapeutically modified with physical training. Thus, the objective of study was to evaluated: the oxidative capacity and mitochondrial content in white adipose tissue, markers of cardiovascular diseases (sphingolipids and trimethylamine N-oxide, TMAO) and changes of body composition, physical performance and resting metabolic rate (TMR) of obese women submitted to combined physical training. The present study was composed of 14 young women with obesity (BMI 33 ± 3 kg/m² and age 35 ± 6 years old). They underwent a combined physical training program (aerobic exercises and strength alternately, 55 min at 75-90% of maximal heart rate, 3 times a week, for 8 weeks). All participants were evaluated before and after the intervention: body composition, TMR, substrates oxidation (carbohydrate and lipids) and respiratory coefficient (RQ), physical performance, oxidative capacity (by mitochondrial respiration - Couple: VADP/VOLIGO; Uncoupling: VOLIGO/VCCCP) and Citrate Sinthase activity in white adipose tissue, level of sphingolipids, TMAO and precursors from plasma. Data analysis were made by paired t test or Wilcoxon, after normality determination of the sample, with level of significance p <0.05. After intervention with combined physical training, there was an increase in TMR, lipid oxidation and physical performance, reduced carbohydrate oxidation and RQ, but did not cause weight loss and changes of body composition. In adipose tissue, physical activity increased CS activity (mitochondrial content marker) and reduced uncoupling respiration (VOLIGO/VCCCP). In plasma, physical training was able to reduce levels of sphingolipids and TMAO (cardiovascular risk factors). In addition, positive correlations were found between, TMR, lipid oxidation and physical performance with CS and negatively correlation with uncoupling respiration. Therefore, physical training in obese women improve energy metabolism, with increased TMR, content and degree of mitochondrial coupling, increased physical performance and reduced cardiovascular risk factors, regardless of weight loss.

It is widely known that HIV and ARV drugs trigger mitochondrial impairment in adults. However, their effects in perinatally-infected children have been poorly explored. For this reason, the main hypothesis of the present Thesis was to demonstrate that mitochondrial abnormalities are present in HIV-infected pediatric patients treated with ARV. It is expected to find mitochondrial alterations in asymptomatic perinatally HIV-infected children. This mitochondrial lesion, manifested in a depletion of the mitochondrial genome, would lead to a reduction of the mitochondrial protein synthesis or to a mitochondrial dysfunction and, as a last resort, compromising the cellular viability. However, it is also possible that the presence of homeostatic mechanisms in mitochondria entails a proper function of some complexes, even in the presence of mitochondrial genome depletion. Rather than a localized mitochondrial alteration in a specific enzymatic activity, it is possible that HIV and ARV cause a diffuse damage in the organelle which may be observed in a general assessment of the respiratory chain. In case of a mitochondrial alteration, either in asymptomatic or symptomatic patients, it would be expected a more evident presentation of mitochondrial toxicity in case of the latter. If our hypothesis of an evidence of mitochondrial toxicity derived from HIV and ARV in children is confirmed, we believe that, once the detrimental agent is withdrawn, a recover of the mitochondrial affectation is possible. Mitochondrial impairment may change depending on the type of HAART regimen, leading us to use mitochondrial parameters as a biomarker or a trail to find the best therapeutic options in the choice of different HAART schedules. In this context, the intensity of mitochondrial impairment over time would be higher in children receiving first generation NRTI which, in turn, have been demonstrated to present a higher mitochondrial toxicity in vitro, than those under second generation NRTI. In order to study and test our hypothesis, the main objectives of the present Thesis are: A) General Objective To test if HIV and ARV mechanisms of mitochondrial toxicity found in adults are present in perinatally HIV-infected children. B) Specific Objectives - Objective 1: To elucidate whether ARV treatment or HIV infection were exerting a mitochondrial toxic effect in asymptomatic perinatally HIV-infected pediatric patients receiving HAART. - Objective 2: To investigate if hypothetic alterations in the mitochondrial genome of asymptomatic HIV-infected children receiving ARV are downstream reflected at transcriptional, translational and functional levels. In case of mitochondrial dysfunction was present, to test whether MRC alterations are focalized or diffuse. - Objective 3: To determine mitochondrial status in lipodystrophic HIV-children and compare them to a group of asymptomatic children and to a group of uninfected controls. - Objective 4: To evaluate whether a 12-month interruption of ARV is able to improve or revert these hypothetic mitochondrial alterations at molecular and/or clinical level. - Objective 5: To compare mitochondrial toxicity derived from different HAART schedules in a longitudinal 2-year follow-up assessment of immunovirological and mitochondrial status under first or second generation NRTI. To elucidate whether those NRTI demonstrated to present high mitochondrial toxicity in vitro present a major toxicity in vivo as well.

La transferencia nuclear de células somáticas (SCNT) en la especie porcina se ha convertido en una herramienta muy útil para para la elaboración de modelos genéticos de enfermedades humanas y para el uso en xenotransplantes. Aunque el número de cerdos clonados aumenta cada año, la eficiencia total de esta tecnología es todavía muy baja. Uno de los pasos más difíciles de la SCNT en porcino es la enucleación del ovocito, principalmente debido a que su citoplasma contiene numerosas gotas lipídicas. El principal objetivo de la tesis fue evaluar el efecto de diversas técnicas para visualizar la placa metafásica y el corpúsculo polar sobre la capacidad de desarrollo de ovocitos porcinos madurados in vitro. / Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology in porcine has become a very useful tool for the elaboration of genetic models for human diseases and the use in xenotransplantation. The efficiency of SCNT is still very low, although the number of cloned pigs increases each year. One of the hardest steps of porcine SCNT is the enucleation of the oocyte because its cytoplasm contains many lipid droplets. The main objective of this thesis was to assess the effect of several approaches to visualize the metaphase II plate and the first polar body on the developmental ability of in vitro mature porcine oocytes.

Las membranas celulares contienen un canal de Cl- (Maxi-Cl-) que es modulado por estrógenos y antiestrógenos. El trabajo experimental de mi tesis doctoral ha consistido en el estudio de la modulación de este canal y su identidad molecular. El resultado de mi trabajo ha demostrado que la base molecular del canal Maxi-Cl- es una isoforma de la proteína mitocondrial VDAC y que la activación del canal por los antiestrógenos y su inhibición por los estrógenos implica procesos de defosforilación y fosforilación, respectivamente. / Cellular membranes contain a Maxi-Cl- channel that is modulated by oestrogen and antioestrogens. The experimental work of my PhD Thesis has focussed in the study of the molecular identity of the Maxi-Cl- channel and its regulation. My results demonstrated that an isoform of the mitochondrial protein VDAC is the molecular correlate of the Maxi-Cl- channel and that the activation of the channel by antioestrogens and its inhibition by oestrogen requires a dephosphorylation and phosphorylation process, respectively.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

The present thesis focuses on the elucidation of human mitochondrial inner membrane presequence-translocation machinery with implications on cancer cell proliferation. Mitochondria are the endosymbiotic organelles in an eukaryotic cell performing a vast repertoire of functions and require approximately 1500 proteins. However, the mitochondria genome contains only 13 protein-coding genes primarily transcribing the complexes of the electron transport chain. Therefore, it is evident that most of the mitochondrial proteome is encoded by the nucleus and synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes. Chapter 1: Mechanism of mitochondrial inner membrane protein translocation and its oncogenic connection. Mitochondria consist of different routes of directing proteins to their intramitochondrial destinations. The presequence pathway, mediated by the inner membrane TIM23 complex, is responsible for the import of matrix and a number of single transmembrane helixes containing inner membrane proteins. This pathway accounts for approximately 60% of the total proteome imported into the organelle and hence, is the major focus of discussion in the present study. The components of the TIM23 complex can be subdivided into two groups, the protein conducting channel and the import motor. The initial translocation across the TIM23 channel utilizes the electrochemical membrane potential that exists across the inner membrane whereas the final step of the translocation process is driven by energy from ATP hydrolysis. MtHsp70 forms the central component of the import motor, and its function is regulated by the J-proteins. Pam18 stimulates the ATPase activity of mtHsp70. Pam16, on the other hand, forms a subcomplex with Pam18 and exerts an inhibitory effect its ATPase stimulatory activity, in turn regulating the activity of the import motor. The stoichiometric coupling with the substrate binding-release cycle of mtHsp70 drives the import process. Although the organization of presequence translocation machinery and its functional annotations have been described in detail in yeast system, little information is available on its organization in human. It is difficult to contemplate the existence of similar machinery in human mitochondria with complex and diversified functions. Human mitochondria apart from regulating the metabolic pathways are involved in progression of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, responses to xenobiotic stress and induction of apoptosis. Numerous reports have shown that mutations and overexpression of human orthologs of translocase components are associated with various cancer subtypes. Such disease condition also involves targeting of specific cell signaling molecules that reprogram organellar functions and alter the cellular phenotype. Based on this evidence we defined our study into four broad objectives – 1) identify the components of human presequence translocase as Chapter two and three, 2) characterize the subunit organization of human presequence translocation machinery in Chapter four, 3) determine the functional connection between the translocase components and the cancer phenotype in Chapter four and five and 4) understand how the functions of J-proteins have evolved across the species as Chapter six. Chapter 2: Unraveling the role of Magmas in human mitochondrial protein transport. Pam16 plays a critical role in regulation of import process by governing the activity of the import motor. Proteins orthologous to Pam16 had been reported earlier to be overexpressed in various metabolically active tissues and cancer subtypes. We found that in humans a protein named as Mitochondria Associated Granulocyte Macrophage colony Stimulating factor signaling molecule (Magmas) showed significant sequence similarity with yeast Pam16 at its C-terminal region. Magmas was initially discovered as a protein that was overexpressed in neoplastic prostrate and when the cells were exposed to GM-CSF. Our experiments suggested that Magmas localized in human and yeast mitochondria and it was associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane. Magmas could complement the growth of yeast cells that were deleted for the essential gene PAM16 and could import precursor proteins into the mitochondria. Like Pam16, Magmas was able to form a stable heterodimeric subcomplex with yeast Pam18 and human Pam18 ortholog DnaJC19 (JC19). We found that J-domain forms the minimal region required for heterodimer formation between Magmas and Pam18/JC19. Mutations in Magmas J-like domain resulted in temperature sensitive growth phenotypes in yeast cells and associated import defect in translocating precursor proteins into the organelle due to inability to form a stable subcomplex with Pam18 and JC19, resulting in loss of import function. Loss of subcomplex formation leads to dissociation of Pam18 from the translocation machinery highlighting the importance of Magmas in tethering Pam18/JC19 to the presequence translocase. Magmas, showing characteristic of a J-like protein, was unable to stimulate the ATPase activity of mtHsp70. However, it exerted an inhibitory effect on the ATP stimulatory effect of the J-protein Pam18/JC19, indicating that Magmas has a regulatory effect on the overall activity of import motor. In contrast Magmas mutants those are incapable of forming a stable heterodimer with Pam18 were unable to regulate the activity of Pam18 resulting in import defects. In summary, our results highlight that Magmas is an ortholog of yeast Pam16 performing similar functions at the import channel. Chapter 3: Existence of two J-protein subcomplexes at the translocation channel with distinct physiological functions. JC19 has been regarded as the human ortholog of Pam18 whose loss of function was associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and ataxia syndrome. However, immunoprecipitation analysis using anti-Magmas antibody revealed the presence of a second J-protein identified as DnaJC15 (JC15) that shared a highly similar J-domain with JC19. JC15 was initially identified as a protein whose loss in expression resulted in development of a chemoresistant phenotype in ovarian carcinoma cells exposed to chemotherapeutic treatment. We found that JC15 localizes in mitochondria where it was associated with the inner membrane. Similar to Pam18 and JC19, JC15 heterodimerized with Magmas/Pam16 through its J-domain and associated with the presequence translocase of the inner membrane. A loss of function mutation at the J-domain of JC15 destabilizes its interaction with Magmas resulting in protein translocation defects and temperature-sensitive growth phenotype in yeast cells. The JC15 mutant showed inability to get associated with the translocation channel and had dysregulated stimulation of mtHsp70 activity leading to decreased mitochondria biogenesis and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In summary, our results showed that JC15 is the second human ortholog of Pam18 with similar functions. In contrast to yeast, in human mitochondria JC15 and JC19 were found to form two separate and distinct J-protein subcomplexes with Magmas at the mitochondrial import motor. The essentiality of the J-proteins for normal human mitochondria function was addressed through siRNA mediated downregulation of Magmas, JC19 and JC15. We found that Magmas and JC19 are essential for normal mitochondrial function and cell viability whereas JC15 is dispensable and might have a supportive role. Interestingly, both JC19 and JC15 interacted with Magmas with equal affinity and stimulated mtHsp70’s ATPase activity by equivalent levels. This shows that both JC19 and JC15 share similar properties in terms of their functions at the import channel, and the differences might be in a much broader perspective in terms of their association with the translocation channel. Chapter 4: Architecture of human mitochondrial inner membrane presequence -translocation machinery. In yeast, there exists a single J-protein subcomplex formed by Pam16 and Pam18, which is recruited to the sole translocase. However, humans present a completely different scenario where there exists a two distinct subcomplexes formed by Magmas with either of the J-proteins. So the question arises how the individual subcomplexes is recruited to the translocation machinery; whether they are associated to one or differentially recruited to two different translocases. We identified the existence of three distinct translocases in the human system constituted by the two J-proteins along with the Tim17 paralogs. JC15 along with Tim17a forms the translocase A of size similar to that of the yeast system, and it forms the ancestral translocase in the humans. Tim17b isoforms, on the other hand, associates with JC19 to form mammalian specific translocases B1 and B2. The association of the J-proteins at the translocation channel was found to be mediated by Magmas as a subcomplex. Downregulation of Magmas resulted in dissociation of both the J-proteins, and its overexpression resulted in redistribution of J-proteins at the translocases. We found that translocase B imported precursor proteins at a comparatively higher rate as compared to translocase A. Disruption of translocase B had deleterious effects on cell viability, respiratory chain complex's activities, Fe-S cluster biogenesis, mitochondria morphology, regulation of free radical levels and maintenance of mitochondrial genome. In contrast, depletion of translocase A did not significantly alter the survivability of cells, mitochondrial activity and maintenance of organellar morphology. This shows that translocase B is essential and performs the constitutive import function in the mammalian system whereas translocase A is dispensable and might have a supportive role in maintenance of mitochondrial function. However, translocase A play a specific role in human mitochondria in context to cancer cells. We observed that the elevated level of Tim17a found in cancer cells is responsible for maintenance of higher mitochondrial DNA copy number and higher proliferative potential of cancer cells. Additionally, translocase A also plays a specific role in translocation of cell signaling proteins that lack a mitochondrial targeting sequence into the mitochondria, highlighting the possible role of this translocase in neoplastic transformation. Chapter 5: Mechanistic insights into the role of JC15 as a part of translocase A in chemoresistant phenotype. JC15 had been initially identified to be associated with development of chemoresistance in cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism followed by the protein has not been elucidated yet. Our studies have shown that overexpression of JC15 leads to increased sensitivity of cells to chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin and are coupled with complete loss of membrane potential, mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release. However, this chemosensitive phenotype was partially ameliorated upon preexposing the cell to cyclosporine A which is an inhibitor of cyclophilin D, a critical component of mitochondrial membrane transition pore (MPTP) complex. A similar reversal of phenotype was observed upon depleting cyclophilin D even under JC15 overexpressing background. This highlighted a possible functional connection between these two proteins. In order to check this hypothesis other way around, we overexpressed cyclophilin D in the cells which resulted in constitutive opening of the MPTP complex, enhanced mitochondrial swelling and reduced cell viability. In contrast, the gain of function anomalies of cyclophilin D overexpression was significantly reversed upon JC15 depletion. We observed through co-immunoprecipitation analysis that JC15 activates cyclophilin D by releasing it from the inhibitory effects of TRAP1 and couples it to the MPTP complex. Additionally, we have also shown that the J-domain of JC15 is critical for its interaction with cyclophilin D and loss of function mutation at the J-domain of JC15 disrupts its interaction with cyclophilin D. As a result the JC15 mutant is not able to mount a chemosensitive response to cisplatin drug. Chapter 6: Identification of regions determining the divergence of J-proteins functions at the mitochondrial import motor. The above studies show ample evidence to suggest that the two human J-proteins have undergone significant divergence in their function in human mitochondria in spite of having a highly similar J-domain. Therefore, we asked the question that how the human J-proteins have evolved and diversified from the primitive yeast protein Pam18 and what are the regional determinants in the protein sequence that dictate the function of the J-domain. We utilized a purely genetic approach to address the problem. We observed that JC19 was unable to rescue the growth of yeast cells deleted for the essential gene Pam18 and JC15 expression resulted in cold sensitive phenotype. We used JC15 as the model protein for our assays and applied three methodologies. First, generation and isolation of a series of mutations in JC15 that could rescue the cold sensitive phenotype, and the growth of the cells were similar to the wild type. Second, to identify the regulatory residues by isolation of second site suppressors that could be the suppressor the mutant phenotypes isolated earlier. Third, we utilized a purely evolutionary approach by swapping the individual domains between the three J-proteins- Pam18, JC19 and JC15. Our genetic data support the idea that the partial loss of function of human J-protein in the yeast system is due to altered subcomplex dynamics with Pam16. The altered dynamics of the subcomplex is mainly regulated by the residues in the arm, linker and helical regions of the J-domain, especially the helix II regions. Our analysis has also uncovered a critical role of the targeting (T) region of J-proteins which along with inter-membrane space (IMS) domain share significant sequence diversity among J-proteins in yeast and humans. The T-region in conjunction with the IMS domain plays a crucial role in regulating the J-domain’s function across the kingdoms and within the species. Although, our genetic data needs to be supplemented with biochemical evidence, this study provides significant insights into the diversity of J-protein function across the species and mode of their regulation through regions flanking the J-domain.

Macrófagos infectados com Leishmania são protegidos de apoptose, entretanto não se conhece o mecanismo de transdução de sinal intracelular que interfere neste processo de morte. Neste trabalho, células J 774 em cultura, com privação de nutrientes, sofrem apoptose, a qual aumenta na presença dos indutores camptotecina (CPT) ou fator de necrose tumoral recombinante (rTNF). Estas células quando infectadas com amastigotas ou promastigotas de Leishmania (L.) chagasi (5 parasitos/uma célula) são protegidas de apoptose. Avaliando as possíveis vias intracelulares envolvidas nesse processo, observamos que a privação de nutrientes altera o potencial de membrana da mitocôndria, havendo reversão com a infecção tanto com promastigotas e amastigotas, entretanto a reversão da alteração do potencial de membrana induzida por rTNF só foi observada com infecção com promastigotas. Tanto a atividade de caspase 3, como a detecção de caspase 3 clivada induzidas por H202 são revertidas com a infecção com promastigotas ou amastigotas. Quando analisamos a expressão de poli (ADP ribose) polimerase (PARP), em relação às células sem indução, a indução por CPT não levou ao aumento da PARP de 116 kDa, mas, aumento da banda de 24 kDA. Por outro lado, a infecção por amastigota de Leishmania (L.) chagasi em células J774 levou à diminuição da expressão de PARP de 116 kDa, mas aumento da de 24 kDa. Nas células infectadas por promastigotas de Leishmania (L.) chagasi, observamos uma diminuição da banda de 116 kDa, aparecimento de uma molécula de 89kDa e diminuição da expressão da de 24 kDa. Nas células sob indução por CPT, a infecção levou a resultados similares, exceto a diminuição da molécula de 24 kDa quando infectado por amastigota. Avaliando-se a influência da proteína do choque térmico de 83 kDa de Leishmania infantum, como possível fator que interferiria no processo de apoptose, observamos que a fagocitose de bactérias Escherichia coli (M15) contendo plasmídio com gene de HSP83 expressando essa proteína, leva a diminuição da apoptose nessas células, mesmo quando induzidas por CPT ou rTNF. Nossos dados mostram que a infecção de macrófagos J774 in vitro por Leishmania (L.) chagasi, interfere no processo de apoptose afetando diversas vias de sinalização intracelular de apoptose, tanto extrínsecas quanto intrínsecas, sendo que promastigota é mais efetiva em inibir apoptose nesta linhagem macrofágica. / Macrophages infected by Leishmania are protected from apoptosis, however the mechanism of intracellular signal transduction that interferes in this death process remains unknown. In this work, J774 cells in culture, under nutrient deprivation undergo apoptosis, which is increased in the presence of inducers: camptothecin (CPT) or recombinant tumoral necrosis factor (rTNF). These cells infected by amastigotes or promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) chagasi (5 parasites per cell) are protected from apoptosis. Evaluating the possible intracellular pathways involved in this process, we observed nutrient deprivation alters the mitochondrial membrane potential, reversed by both amastigote and promastigote infection, in contrast, mitochondrial membrane potential was altered by rTNF and it was reversed only by promastigotes. Both caspase 3 activity and caspase 3 cleavage detection induced by H2O2 are reversed with amastigote or promastigote infection. When we analysed the expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, related to no induced cells . CPT induction didnLt increase 116 kDa PARP, but increased a 24 kDa fragment. Otherwise, Leishmania (L.) chagasi amastigote infection in J774 cells decreased 116 kDa PARP, but increased a 24 kDa fragment. Incells infected by Leishmania (L.) chagasi , we observed a decrease of 116 kDa fragment, appearance of a 89 kDa fragment and a decreasing of a 24 kDa fragment. In the cells under CPT induction similar results were found, except a decreasing of a 24 kDa when infected by amastigote. Evaluating the Leishmania (L.) infantum Heat Shock Protein of 83 kDa, as a possible factor that interferes in the apoptosis process, we observed that a phagocytosis of Escherichia coli (M15) bacteria with a HSP83 gene within a plasmid expressing this protein induced by isopropyl &#946; - D- tiogalactopiranosideo (IPTG), considerably diminished apoptosis in these cells even when induced by CPT or rTNF. Our data show that Leishmania (L.) chagasi infection in J774 macrophages in vitro notoriously interferes in the apoptosis process affecting several intracellular pathways involved in both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, more prominently with promastigote in this macrophage cell lineage.

We have identified a novel Cyclin, called Cyclin O, which is able to bind and activate Cdk2 in response to intrinsic apoptotic stimuli. We have focused on the study of Cyclin O&#945; and Cyclin O&#946;, alternatively spliced products of the gene. Upon treatment with different stress stimuli, transfected Cyclin O&#945; accumulates in dense aggregations in the cytoplasm compatible with being Stress Granules (SGs). Furthermore, we have seen that Cyclin O&#946; and a point mutant of the N-terminal part of the protein constitutively localize to the SGs. Although both alpha and beta isoforms are proapoptotic, only Cyclin O&#945; can bind and activate Cdk2. On the other hand, we have demonstrated that Cyclin O is upregulated by Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress and is necessary for ER stress-induced apoptosis. Cyclin O activates specifically the PERK pathway and interacts with the PERK inhibitor protein p58IPK. Moreover, Cyclin O participates in the activation of other eIF2&#945; kinases. We have also observed that a pool of Cyclin O is located in active mitochondria, suggesting a function of the protein linked to oxidative metabolism.Hemos identificado una nueva Ciclina, llamada Ciclina O, que es capaz de unirse y activar Cdk2 en respuesta a estímulos apoptóticos intrínsecos. Nos hemos centrado en el estudio de la Ciclina O&#945; y la Ciclina O&#946;, productos de splicing alternativo del gen. En respuesta a diferentes tipos de estrés, la Ciclina O&#945; se acumula en agregaciones citoplásmicas densas que podrían corresponder a Gránulos de Estrés (SGs). Además, hemos visto que la Ciclina O&#946; y un mutante puntual de la parte N-terminal de la proteína se localizan constitutivamente en los SGs. Aunque las dos isoformas alfa y beta son proapoptóticas, solo la Ciclina O&#945; es capaz de unirse y activar Cdk2. Por otro lado, hemos demostrado que los niveles de Ciclina O se incrementan en respuesta al estrés de Retículo Endoplásmico (RE) y que esta proteína es necesaria para la inducción de apoptosis dependiente de estrés de RE. La Ciclina O activa específicamente la vía de PERK e interacciona con la proteína inhibidora de PERK p58IPK. Además, la Ciclina O participa en la activación de otras quinasas de eIF2&#945;. La Ciclina O se localiza en mitocondrias activas, lo que sugiere una función de la proteína ligada al metabolismo oxidativo.

Macrófagos infectados com Leishmania são protegidos de apoptose, entretanto não se conhece o mecanismo de transdução de sinal intracelular que interfere neste processo de morte. Neste trabalho, células J 774 em cultura, com privação de nutrientes, sofrem apoptose, a qual aumenta na presença dos indutores camptotecina (CPT) ou fator de necrose tumoral recombinante (rTNF). Estas células quando infectadas com amastigotas ou promastigotas de Leishmania (L.) chagasi (5 parasitos/uma célula) são protegidas de apoptose. Avaliando as possíveis vias intracelulares envolvidas nesse processo, observamos que a privação de nutrientes altera o potencial de membrana da mitocôndria, havendo reversão com a infecção tanto com promastigotas e amastigotas, entretanto a reversão da alteração do potencial de membrana induzida por rTNF só foi observada com infecção com promastigotas. Tanto a atividade de caspase 3, como a detecção de caspase 3 clivada induzidas por H202 são revertidas com a infecção com promastigotas ou amastigotas. Quando analisamos a expressão de poli (ADP ribose) polimerase (PARP), em relação às células sem indução, a indução por CPT não levou ao aumento da PARP de 116 kDa, mas, aumento da banda de 24 kDA. Por outro lado, a infecção por amastigota de Leishmania (L.) chagasi em células J774 levou à diminuição da expressão de PARP de 116 kDa, mas aumento da de 24 kDa. Nas células infectadas por promastigotas de Leishmania (L.) chagasi, observamos uma diminuição da banda de 116 kDa, aparecimento de uma molécula de 89kDa e diminuição da expressão da de 24 kDa. Nas células sob indução por CPT, a infecção levou a resultados similares, exceto a diminuição da molécula de 24 kDa quando infectado por amastigota. Avaliando-se a influência da proteína do choque térmico de 83 kDa de Leishmania infantum, como possível fator que interferiria no processo de apoptose, observamos que a fagocitose de bactérias Escherichia coli (M15) contendo plasmídio com gene de HSP83 expressando essa proteína, leva a diminuição da apoptose nessas células, mesmo quando induzidas por CPT ou rTNF. Nossos dados mostram que a infecção de macrófagos J774 in vitro por Leishmania (L.) chagasi, interfere no processo de apoptose afetando diversas vias de sinalização intracelular de apoptose, tanto extrínsecas quanto intrínsecas, sendo que promastigota é mais efetiva em inibir apoptose nesta linhagem macrofágica. / Macrophages infected by Leishmania are protected from apoptosis, however the mechanism of intracellular signal transduction that interferes in this death process remains unknown. In this work, J774 cells in culture, under nutrient deprivation undergo apoptosis, which is increased in the presence of inducers: camptothecin (CPT) or recombinant tumoral necrosis factor (rTNF). These cells infected by amastigotes or promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) chagasi (5 parasites per cell) are protected from apoptosis. Evaluating the possible intracellular pathways involved in this process, we observed nutrient deprivation alters the mitochondrial membrane potential, reversed by both amastigote and promastigote infection, in contrast, mitochondrial membrane potential was altered by rTNF and it was reversed only by promastigotes. Both caspase 3 activity and caspase 3 cleavage detection induced by H2O2 are reversed with amastigote or promastigote infection. When we analysed the expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, related to no induced cells . CPT induction didnLt increase 116 kDa PARP, but increased a 24 kDa fragment. Otherwise, Leishmania (L.) chagasi amastigote infection in J774 cells decreased 116 kDa PARP, but increased a 24 kDa fragment. Incells infected by Leishmania (L.) chagasi , we observed a decrease of 116 kDa fragment, appearance of a 89 kDa fragment and a decreasing of a 24 kDa fragment. In the cells under CPT induction similar results were found, except a decreasing of a 24 kDa when infected by amastigote. Evaluating the Leishmania (L.) infantum Heat Shock Protein of 83 kDa, as a possible factor that interferes in the apoptosis process, we observed that a phagocytosis of Escherichia coli (M15) bacteria with a HSP83 gene within a plasmid expressing this protein induced by isopropyl &#946; - D- tiogalactopiranosideo (IPTG), considerably diminished apoptosis in these cells even when induced by CPT or rTNF. Our data show that Leishmania (L.) chagasi infection in J774 macrophages in vitro notoriously interferes in the apoptosis process affecting several intracellular pathways involved in both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, more prominently with promastigote in this macrophage cell lineage.