No description available.

As septinas são proteínas filogeneticamente classificadas na superclasse das P-loop GTPases e que, juntamente com actina, microtúbulos e filamentos intermediários, são consideradas o quarto componente do citoesqueleto. Para exercer essa função, as septinas tendem a interagir entre si formando heterocomplexos que, posteriormente, polimerizam-se em filamentos. A fim de compreender a arquitetura e dinâmica das septinas, realizou-se a caracterização estrutural e biofísica da septina 7 humana e de seus complexos com as septinas 3 e 9. Devido ao fato da septina 7 ser única em seu grupo, tem-se que a mesma é insubstituível e, portanto, está presente em todos os heterocomplexos descritos. Visando compreender os elementos moleculares responsáveis por tal unicidade, são apresentadas duas estruturas em alta resolução do domínio GTPase da septina 7 ligada a GDP. Pela primeira vez, verificou-se que o cofator Mg2+ está coordenado de uma maneira mais fraca (em relações aos padrões já descritos na literatura) e que o contato entre o switches II na interface-G (ponte-β antiparalela) aparenta estar relacionado ao fenômeno de deslizamento da fita-β3. Na verdade, os resultados indicam que tal fenômeno seria um artifício utilizado pelas septinas a fim de desestimular interfaces promíscuas. Além disso, estudos de termoestabilidade mostraram que as septinas 3 e 9 acabam por diminuir a estabilidade de seus heterodímeros com a septina 7; um resultado que pode estar relacionado com a dinâmica de formação de filamentos. Devido a uma suposta interação mais fraca, tem-se que tais septinas poderiam talvez apresentar uma maior flexibilidade na constituição dos filamentos. Por outro lado, ao realizar a mutação T282Y na septina 3, nota-se que a mesma é responsável por aumentar significativamente a termoestabilidade do heterodímero. A partir da estrutura cristalográfica deste complexo, observou-se que tal tirosina é responsável pelo estabelecimento de interações de hidrogênio com o anel guanina e com a septina 7; promovendo a estabilização da interface-G. Por último, com o intuito de identificar qual interface-NC do heterodímero constituído pelas septinas 7 e 9 é a responsável pela sua oligomerização a um tetrâmero, avaliou-se a dependência de tais septinas com a força iônica. / The septins phylogenetically belong to the P-loop GTPase superclass of proteins and, together with actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments, are considered the fourth component of the cytoskeleton. To perform this role, the septins tend to interact with each other to form heterocomplexes, which can further polymerize into filaments. In order to understand the architecture and dynamics of septins, a structural and biophysical characterization of human septin 7 and its complexes with septins 3 and 9 were performed. Since septin 7 is single in its own group, it is irreplaceable and therefore present in all heterocomplexes. Toward understanding the molecular elements responsible for such unicity, two high-resolution structures of septin 7 GTPase domain complexed with GDP are presented. For the first time, it has been found that the Mg2+ cofactor is weakly coordinated (in relation to the patterns already described in the literature) and that the contact between the switches II at the G-interface (antiparallel β-bridge) appears to be related to the phenomenon of β3-stand slippage. In fact, the results indicate this phenomenon could be thought of as a way to discourage promiscuous interfaces. In addition, thermostability assays have shown that septin 3 and 9 end up decreasing the stability of their heterodimers with septin 7; a result that may be related to the filament dynamics. Due to this supposed weaker interaction, it has been speculated that this septins could perhaps have a greater flexibility in the composition of the filaments. On the other hand, the T282Y mutation inserted into septin 3 significantly increases the heterodimer thermostability. In the crystal structure of this complex, it was observed that this particular tyrosine establishes a hydrogen bond with the guanine ring and with septin 7; promoting the stabilization of the G-interface. Finally, in order to identify which NC-interface of the heterodimer constituted by septin 7 and 9 is responsible for its oligomerization to a tetramer, the dependence of this septins with the ionic strength was analyzed.

Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) is a deadenylase that degrades the poly(A) tail of eukaryotic mRNA. PARN also interacts with the 5’-cap structure of the mRNA. The binding of the cap structure enhances the deadenylation rate. PARN has previously been described as a dimer. We have studied PARN with size exclusion chromatography to investigate the oligomeric composition and revealed oligomeric compositions of PARN that are larger than dimeric PARN. Deadenylation assays have been used to measure the cap stimulated activity of PARN. The deadenylation assays showed that the cap stimulated activity of PARN correlated with the abundance of oligomers corresponding in size to tetrameric PARN. We present a model for tetrameric PARN and propose a mechanistic model for how the cap stimulates PARN mediated deadenylation.

Late expression factor 3 is one of the six AcMNPV genes essential for DNA replication identified through transient replication assays. LEF-3 is a single stranded DNA binding protein responsible for the transportation of the viral helicase (P143) into the nucleus of the infected cell. In this study, a protein complementation-based assay was adapted to identify the region(s) of LEF-3 that is (are) involved in LEF-3-LEF-3 protein interactions. The full-length LEF-3, or various truncated LEF-3 regions were fused with Venus1 (N- terminus portions of full length Venus, a modified yellow fluorescence protein) or Venus2 (C- terminus). Venus1 and Venus2 fragments generated a functional fluorescent Venus protein when the two fragments were brought together by protein-protein interaction of the fused LEF-3 constructs. Fluorescence generated by coexpression of full-length LEF-3 fusion proteins confirmed that LEF-3 exists as homo-oligomer. Interaction between the full-length and the N- terminal (aa 1-189) or C- terminal regions (aa 190-385), and between the various truncated LEF-3 regions suggested the complexity of LEF-3 oligomeric structure. LEF-3 constructs deleted for NLS function revealed cytoplasmic fluorescence, suggesting that LEF-3-LEF-3 interactions occur in the absence of DNA or nuclear proteins. Because LEF-3 is essential for nuclear transporting the viral helicase (P143), the ability of LEF-3 to interact with another viral protein was investigated. P47, a sub-unit of the viral RNA polymerase was chosen because it is cytoplasmic when expressed on its own. The interaction between LEF-3 and P47 produced complete nuclear localized fluorescent signals. Overall, the results suggest that there are multiple regions of LEF-3 that are capable of closely interacting, and that multiple domains are likely involved in the oligomerization of full-length LEF-3. The interaction of LEF-3 with P47 suggests that P47 may be another LEF-3 cargo protein. / Thesis (Master, Microbiology & Immunology) -- Queen's University, 2011-05-27 15:02:53.983

There has been a growing demand for specific linear alpha olefins in the polyethylene industry in order to control polymer rheology. This growing demand thereby increases the need for highly active and selective ethylene oligomerization catalysts. Chromium-based catalysts continue to be of high interest for this application due to this metal’s versatility in both selective and non selective ethylene oligomerization. Ligand design is an important consideration in oligomerization chemistry: the ability of the ligand to stabilize low valent chromium and to support a two-electron redox process will allow the catalytic systems to follow the selective ring expansion mechanism for oligomerization. Chelating aminophosphane based ligands, previously studied by our group, have been shown to support both tri- and tetramerization of ethylene. We have explored modifications of one of the NP arms by replacing with a different coordinating group in an attempt to further stabilize the monovalent state of chromium and increase selectivity. Other ligands explored in this work are pyrrole based ligands, which have shown high activity and selectivity towards ethylene oligomerization. One example of this is the commercial Chevron-Phillips system. Recently, the co-polymerization of CO2 with epoxides has been studied as an environmentally friendly route to convert CO2 into biodegradable polymers. The first successful catalytic system to achieve these results consisted of a diethyl-zinc complex. More recently, aluminum, chromium, cadmium and cobalt have been studied as polycarbonate catalysts. To date, the only reported chromium catalysts for CO2-epoxide copolymerization are Cr-salen and Cr-porphyrin complexes, studied by Darrensbourg and Holmes, respectively. We were particularly interested in finding new chromium-based complexes able to catalyze epoxide/CO2 copolymerization by using molecules with the nitrogen donor motif embedded in different functions such as neutral pyridines with anionic pendants, pyrroles with either imine or amine pendants, or a combination of these.

abstract: Ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase, commonly known as RuBisCO, is an enzyme involved in carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms. The enzyme is subject to a mechanism-based deactivation during its catalytic cycle. RuBisCO activase (Rca), an ancillary enzyme belonging to the AAA+ family of the ATP-ases, rescues RuBisCO by facilitating the removal of the tightly bound sugar phosphates from the active sites of RuBisCO. In this work, we investigated the ATP/ADP dependent oligomerization equilibrium of fluorescently tagged Rca for a wide range of concentrations using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Results show that in the presence of ADP-Mg2+, the oligomerization state of Rca gradually changes in steps of two subunits. The most probable association model supports the dissociation constants (K_d) of ∼4, 1, 1 μM for the monomer-dimer, dimer-tetramer, and tetramer-hexamer equlibria, respectively. Rca continues to assemble at higher concentrations which are indicative of the formation of aggregates. In the presence of ATP-Mg2+, a similar stepwise assembly is observed. However, at higher concentrations (30-75 µM), the average oligomeric size remains relatively unchanged around six subunits per oligomer. This is in sharp contrast with observations in ADP-Mg2+, where a marked decrease in the diffusion coefficient of Rca was observed, consistent with the formation of aggregates. The estimated K_d values obtained from the analysis of the FCS decays were similar for the first steps of the assembly process in both ADP-Mg2+ and ATP-Mg2+. However, the formation of the hexamer from the tetramer is much more favored in ATP-Mg2+, as evidenced from 20 fold lower K_d associated with this assembly step. This suggests that the formation of a hexameric ring in the presence of ATP-Mg2+. In addition to that, Rca aggregation is largely suppressed in the presence of ATP-Mg2+, as evidenced from the 1000 fold larger K_d value for the hexamer-24 mer association step. In essence, a fluorescence-based method was developed to monitor in vitro protein oligomerization and was successfully applied with Rca. The results provide a strong hint at the active oligomeric structure of Rca, and this information will hopefully help the ongoing research on the mechanistic enzymology of Rca. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Chemistry 2014

Les α-oléfines jouent un rôle très important en tant qu'intermédiaires réactionnels dans l'industrie chimique et pétrochimique. Leur utilisation principale est la production de diverses qualités de polyéthylène dans lequel l'α-oléfine est engagée en tant que co-monomère (butène-1, hexène-1 et octène-1). Les systèmes capables de dimériser, trimériser voir tétramériser sélectivement l'éthylène en α-oléfines supérieures, utilisent principalement le titane et le chrome. Du fait de la toxicité potentielle du chrome, la recherche industrielle et académique s’oriente de plus en plus vers des systèmes à base de titane.Notre objectif dans ce contexte était d’étudier le potentiel des systèmes « phénoxy-tridente » du Ti(IV) pour la trimérisation sélective de l’éthylène en hexène-1. De nombreux systèmes de formules générales [(ArO-X-L)TiCl3] (X=O,P,N et L=O,P,N) ont ainsi été isolés et caractérisés. L’étude de leurs propriétés électroniques et stériques et ses conséquences sur leurs performances en oligomérisation/polymérisation de l’éthylène ont été discutées. Elles mettent en évidence la criticité de l’ensemble des paramètres à la fois électroniques et structuraux du ligand. Un seul système de cette famille est capable de produire sélectivement de l’hexène-1, les autres conduisant à la polymérisation de l’éthylène.Une étude DFT associée à une étude expérimentale des propriétés redox des précurseurs catalytiques ou encore du comportement hémilabile des ligands mis en jeu, nous a conduit à proposer un mécanisme identifiant la phase d’activation comme l’élément clé permettant d’orienter les systèmes étudiés vers la polymérisation ou la production sélective d’hexène-1. / Linear α-olefins (LAOs) are crucial importance for the chemical and petrochemical industry as they are highly valuable feedstock for a variety of process mainly as co-monomer for the production of different grade of polyethylene (1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene). Some systems and predominantly chromium and titanium systems have performed selective dimerization, trimerization and tetramerization of ethylene to higher α-olefins. For toxicity reasons, industrial and academic research focus more and more on titanium-based systems.Our objective in this context was the study of potential “tridentate phenoxy” systems of Ti(IV) for selective trimerization of ethylene to 1-hexene. Numerous systems with general formula [(ArO-X-L)TiCl3] (X=O,P,N and L=O,P,N) were described and characterized. The study of electronic and steric properties and their consequences on catalytic performances in oligomerization/polymerization of ethylene were discussed. They showed the criticity of all electronic and structural parameters of ligands. Only one system of this family is able to produce selectively 1-hexene, others give mainly polyethylene.DFT study associated with an experimental study of redox properties on catalytic precursors or the hemilabile behavior of ligands involved, led us to propose a mechanism identifying the activation phase as the key to switch between polymerization or selective trimerization of ethylene.

Le principal objectif de cette thèse est de contribuer au développement des produits oléo-chimiques formulant ou co-formulant d'intrants agricoles. Le point de départ de notre recherche était la « boite d'outils » développé au sein de LCA sous la direction de M. Zephirin Mouloungui depuis 1985, cette boite contient le travail qui été réaliser sur : - La chimie de glycérol par la mise en oeuvre de la réaction d'estérification du glycérol avec les acides gras pour l'obtention des mono glycérides purs en tant que co-formulants d'adjuvants phytosanitaires. - La chimie des esters de carbonate de glycérol, qui ont montré que le groupe cyclocarbonate possède des propriétés dipolaires et de constantes diélectrique élevés, d'excellents pouvoir solvant, et de pouvoir tensioactif. - La chimie d'oligomérisation du carbonate de glycérol dans l'objectif de proposer un fort candidat agrochimique en tant que adjuvants d'herbicides, agent de complexation et d'encapsulation. Cette boîte à outils originale et les savoir-faire accumulé au LCA nous a conduits à donner suite à ces travaux antérieurs tout en développant une nouvelle chimie d'oligomérisation des esters de carbonate de glycérol. Ce cadrage a été initié pour répondre aux spécifications suivantes : •Les molécules doivent être issues de ressources renouvelables •Elles doivent être biodégradables et éco-compatibles •Elles ne doivent pas être toxiques Les propriétés physico-chimiques apportées par les esters carboniques de cette boîte à outils doivent se montrer compétiteurs vis-à-vis des propriétés de ces molécules d'origine fossile qui rassemble jusqu'à 5 fonctionnalités adjuvantatrice : stabilité physique, chimique, et dispersabilité de la bouille, amélioration de la rétention d'eau, amélioration de l'étalement, réduction du lessivage et amélioration de la pénétration de barrière biologique. Le travail réaliser s'appuyer sur 3 axes de recherche : 1 - Synthèse d'esters carboniques cycliques pur Les esters de carbonate de glycérol ont été préparés selon un protocole opératoire mis au point au laboratoire. Les ECGs sont : L'acétate de carbonate de glycérol, L'heptanoate de carbonate de glycérol, Le nonanoate de carbonate de glycérol, L'undecylénate de carbonate de glycérol, L'oléate de carbonate de glycérol. 2- Synthèse des Oligomères d'esters de carbonate de glycérol (OECGs) Nous nous sommes concentrés dans cette partie sur la compréhension du mécanisme d'ouverture de cycle à 5 chaînons à partir des esters de carbonate de glycérol, pour l'obtention d'oligomères avec rétention contrôlée de CO2. Les paramètres opérationnels tels que, le type de réacteur, le type de chauffage, et l'inertage de réacteur ont été étudiés afin de déterminer le système le mieux adapté. Ces études ont permis de démontrer le mécanisme d'ouverture cationique du cycle carbonate à 5 chainons, réaction qui conduit à des oligomères avec un squelette carbonate-éther avec des groupes terminaux composés de carbonate cycliques et/ou des motifs glycériques. 3-Analyses et détermination des structures caractéristiques des oligomères L'analyse structurale des oligomères synthétisés (unités répétitives et groupements terminaux) a été réalisée par spectroscopie de masse SM-MALDI-TOF, ES et chromatographie d'exclusion stérique. Le MALDI-TOF est utile pour déterminer les unités répétitives dans les oligomères possédant une masse molaire comprise entre 400 et 1500 g.mol-1, alors que la technique de pulvérisation d'électrons (ES= Electron Spray) a été utilisée pour déterminer la structure des unités de masse molaire inférieure à 400 g.mol-1. La spectroscopie RMN a contribué à mesurer les unités de carbonates linéaires dans les oligomères. En résultats, les nouvelles méthodologies de synthèse chimique pour réaliser de nouveaux oligomères bio-sourcés et biodégradables, toute en respectant la réglementation REACH, ainsi que les résultats agronomiques obtenus font l'objet de dépôt de 3 brevets (Agronutrition/INRA/INPT). / The main objective of this research work is to contribute to the development of oleo-chemicals as a new brand of co formulating agricultural inputs. The starting point of our research was the "toolbox" developed within LCA under the direction of Mr. Zéphirin Mouloungui since 1985, this box contains the work that was carried out on: - Glycerol chemistry by the implementation of the esterification reaction of glycerol with fatty acids to obtain pure monoglycerides as additives for phytosanitary co-formulants. - Chemistry of glycerol carbonate esters, which showed that the cyclocarbonate group include dipolar properties and high dielectric constant, excellent solvent capacity, and surfactant ability. - The oligomerization of glycerol carbonate chemistry with the aim to provide a strong candidate as agrochemical herbicide adjuvant, complexing agent and encapsulation. This original box tools and know-how accumulated LCA has led us to act on these earlier works while developing a new oligomerization chemistry of glycerol carbonate esters. This framework was initiated to meet the following specifications: • The molecules must be derived from renewable resources • They must be biodegradable and eco-friendly • They must be non-toxic. The physicochemical properties contributed by the carbonate esters of this toolkit must show a competitive vis-a-vis the properties of the fossil originated co-formulants which gathers up to 5 adjuvantatrice features: physical & chemical stability, quality of dispersion , improved water retention, improved spreading, reduction of wash-off and improving the penetration of biological barrier. Our research work relies on three research axes: 1 - Synthesis of pure cyclic carbonate esters. Glycerol carbonate esters have been prepared according to an operating protocol developed in the laboratory. The ECGs are: Acetate of glycerol carbonate, glycerol carbonate heptanoate, glycerol carbonate nonanoate, glycerol carbonate undecylenate, glycerol carbonate oleate. 2- Synthesis of Oligomers of glycerol carbonate esters (OECGs) We focused in this part on understanding the 5- membered ring-opening mechanism from glycerol carbonate esters, to obtain oligomers with controlled CO2 retention. Operational parameters such as the type of reactor, the type of heating and the reactor inerting were studied to determine the most suitable system. These studies have demonstrated the insertion coordination ring opening mechanism of 5 membered carbonate, a reaction which leads to oligomers with a carbonate – ether backbone with cyclic carbonate compounds of terminal groups and / or glycerol units. 3-Analysis and structural determination of the oligomers. Structural analysis of the synthesized oligomers (repeating units and end groups) was performed by mass spectroscopy MALDI-TOF-MS, ES and size exclusion chromatography. MALDI-TOF is useful in determining the repeating units in the oligomers having a molecular weight between 400 and 1500 g mol-1, while the electron-spray technique (ES = Electron spray) was used to determine the structure of molar mass units less than 400 g· mol -1. NMR spectroscopy has contributed to measure the linear carbonates units in the oligomers. In results, the new chemical synthesis methodologies to produce new bio-based and biodegradable oligomers, all respecting REACH regulation and agronomic performance are subject to filing four patents (Agronutrition / INRA / INPT.

There has been a growing demand for specific linear alpha olefins in the polyethylene industry in order to control polymer rheology. This growing demand thereby increases the need for highly active and selective ethylene oligomerization catalysts. Chromium-based catalysts continue to be of high interest for this application due to this metal’s versatility in both selective and non selective ethylene oligomerization. Ligand design is an important consideration in oligomerization chemistry: the ability of the ligand to stabilize low valent chromium and to support a two-electron redox process will allow the catalytic systems to follow the selective ring expansion mechanism for oligomerization. Chelating aminophosphane based ligands, previously studied by our group, have been shown to support both tri- and tetramerization of ethylene. We have explored modifications of one of the NP arms by replacing with a different coordinating group in an attempt to further stabilize the monovalent state of chromium and increase selectivity. Other ligands explored in this work are pyrrole based ligands, which have shown high activity and selectivity towards ethylene oligomerization. One example of this is the commercial Chevron-Phillips system. Recently, the co-polymerization of CO2 with epoxides has been studied as an environmentally friendly route to convert CO2 into biodegradable polymers. The first successful catalytic system to achieve these results consisted of a diethyl-zinc complex. More recently, aluminum, chromium, cadmium and cobalt have been studied as polycarbonate catalysts. To date, the only reported chromium catalysts for CO2-epoxide copolymerization are Cr-salen and Cr-porphyrin complexes, studied by Darrensbourg and Holmes, respectively. We were particularly interested in finding new chromium-based complexes able to catalyze epoxide/CO2 copolymerization by using molecules with the nitrogen donor motif embedded in different functions such as neutral pyridines with anionic pendants, pyrroles with either imine or amine pendants, or a combination of these.

L'axe formé par la chimiokine CXCL12 et son récepteur CXCR4 est conservé chez les vertébrés où il joue un rôle important dans l'embryogenèse et la vie adulte, régule de nombreux processus des réponses immunitaires grâce à ses fonctions dans la migration cellulaire, la survie et la prolifération.En outre, cet axe est impliqué dans les processus pathologiques tels que les cancers (croissance et métastase) et immunodéficiences ainsi que des dysfonctionnements (par exemple l'expression dérégulée, polymorphismes ou mutations) et est également détourné par certains agents pathogènes (par exemple le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine, virus du papillome humain).Un grand groupe de travail est consacré à cette paire comme cible thérapeutique, mais seulement un composé (à savoir Plérixafor) a atteint l'approbation pour une utilisation clinique faisant le potentiel de cet axe comme cible de médicament encore inexploré.Bien que cet axe est l'objet d'un grand intérêt, des questions demeurent quant aux déterminants structurels impliqués dans l'interaction CXCL12/CXCR4.Cependant, la structure récemment résolue par diffraction de CXCR4 a donné quelque indice au sujet de ces questions, et au­ delà, la possible stoichiométrie entre CXCL12 et CXCR4.Plusieurs éléments de preuve appuient le concept que les formes CXCR4 homo- et hétéro- oligomères (qui peut contribuer à la diversité des fonctions de récepteur), telles que la structure de diffraction, le gain de fonction d'un récepteur CXCR4 mutant responsable du syndrome WHIM et la modulation allostérique des fonctions de CXCR4 par CXCR7 (ACKR3), le second récepteur de CXCL12. La possibilité de former des oligomères ouvre de nombreuses questions en matière de CXCL12 et ses interactions avec CXCR4 et CXCR7/ACKR3. La stoichiométrie de cette interaction reste une question ouverte, comme le récepteur est capable de former des oligomères avec le même récepteur ou autre récepteurs, en particulier CXCR7/ACKR3. Ce récepteur, connu comme scavenger, n'a pas de structure résolue et son mécanisme d'interaction avec CXCL12 reste inconnu.Afin d'étudier les interactions CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7, nous avons appliqué plusieurs techniques de modélisation moléculaire tels que peptid-peptide docking et simulations de dynamique moléculaire.Objets du projet ont étés : la résolution des possibles formes stoichiométriques de l'interaction CXCR4/CXCL12 (modélisation moléculaire, docking et dynamique); la modélisation de la structure du récepteur CXCR7/ACKR3 et son interaction avec CXCL12 (homology modeling), avec caractérisation des domaines et des résidus clef de l'activation des pathways de signalisation en aval du récepteur (mutants CXCR7/ACKR3); l'étude et la caractérisation de nouveaux outils innovants pour la détection de l'oligomerisation de ces récepteurs en conditions endogènes. (Nanobodies, HTRF)Les résultats du premier objectif ont été publiés en janvier 2016 : PMID 26813575.La modélisation de CXCR7/ACKR3 nous a permit de générer plusieurs mutants du récepteur pour tester nos hypothèses sur l’activation.Les nanobodies caractérisés pour CXCR4 seront utilisé dans une deuxième étude pour l’identification des formes oligomériques du récepteur sur tissus et cellules. / The axis formed by the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 is conserved in vertebrates where it plays an important role in embryogenesis and adult life, regulates many processes of immune responses through its functions in cell migration, survival and proliferation.In addition, this axis is involved in pathological processes such as cancers (growth and metastasis) and immune deficiencies and malfunctions (eg deregulated expression, mutations or polymorphisms) and is also hijacked by certain pathogens (eg HIV, human papilloma virus).A large working group is dedicated to this pair as a therapeutic target, but only a compound (ie Plerixafor) achieved approval for clinical use by the potential of this area as a drug target unexplored.Although this axis is the subject of great interest, questions remain about the structural determinants involved in CXCL12 / CXCR4 interaction.However, the recently resolved diffraction structure of CXCR4 gave some clue about these questions, and beyond possible stoichiometry between CXCL12 and CXCR4.Several lines of evidence support the concept that forms CXCR4 homo- and hetero-oligomers (which can contribute to the diversity of the receptor functions), as shown in the diffraction structure, the gain function of a mutant CXCR4 receptor responsible for the syndrome WHIM and allosteric modulation of CXCR4 functions by CXCR7 (ACKR3), the second receptor of the chemokine CXCL12. The ability to form oligomers opens many issues of CXCL12 and its interaction with CXCR4 and CXCR7 / ACKR3.The stoichiometry of this interaction still remains an open question, as the receptor is capable to form oligomers with the same receptor or other receptors, particularly CXCR7 / ACKR3. This receptor, known as scavenger, has not solved structure and the mechanism of interaction with CXCL12 is unknown.To study the interactions CXCL12 / CXCR4 / CXCR7, we applied several molecular modeling techniques such as peptide-peptide docking and molecular dynamics simulations.Objectives of this project were: the resolution of the different stoichiometric forms for the interaction of CXCR4 and CXCL12 (molecular modeling, docking and dynamic); modeling the CXCR7 / ACKR3 receptor structure and its interaction with CXCL12 (homology modeling), with the characterization of domains and residues key in the activation of downstream signaling pathways of the receptor (CXCR7 / ACKR3 mutants); the study and characterization of new innovative tools for the detection of oligomerization of these receptors in endogenous conditions. (Nanobodies, HTRF)The results of the first objective were published in January 2016: PMID 26813575.Modeling of CXCR7 / ACKR3 allowed us to generate several mutants of the receptor to test our hypothesis about the activation pathways.Nanobodies were fully characterized for CXCR4 to be used in a second study to identify oligomeric forms of the receptor in tissues and cells.