O chá verde (Camellia sinensis) é reconhecido mundialmente por seu alto teor de polifenóis, em especial as catequinas. As catequinas estão relacionadas à prevenção de várias doenças degenerativas, como o câncer e diabetes, devido ao grande potencial antioxidante. Contudo, vários incovenientes precisam ser superados para aprimorar o uso destes produtos, principalmente em relação à sua biodisponibilidade. O desenvolvimento de carreadores lipídicos na encapsulação de compostos bioativos é uma tecnologia recente capaz de resolver vários problemas de biodisponibilidade apresentadas pelos produtos naturais, produzindo uma estrutura capaz de proteger os compostos ativos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de uma formulação utilizando carreador lipídico, empregando métodos de secagem para aumentar a estabilidade dos compostos bioativos, enfatizando-se processos de preparação, tipo de excipientes e procedimentos para a caracterização físico-química, estabilidade e avaliação da atividade antioxidante in vitro do produto final. Os compostos bioativos foram extraídos a partir das folhas secas e moídas de chá-verde através do processo de maceração dinâmica, sendo filtrado, concentrado e liofilizado. A formulação foi desenvolvida utilizando o sistema de balanço hidrófilo-lipófilo (EHL) com tensoativos nãoiônicos e co-solvente, e caracterizados pelas análises organolépticas, centrifugação, reologia, microscopia óptica, distribuição de tamanho e potencial zeta. Para a etapa de secagem, selecionou-se a formulação mais estável. As formulações foram secas em spray dryer de escala laboratorial a uma vazão de 4,0 g/min, e temperaturas de 100, 120 e 150 °C. O desempenho de secagem foi avaliado pela recuperação do produto. Os pós obtidos por spray drying foram caracterizados quanto ao teor de umidade, atividade da água, densidade, distribuição granulométrica, propriedades de fluxo, cristalinidade, morfologia e redispersibilidade. Após, se avaliou a atividade antioxidante do produto em óleo vegetal (óleo de soja) utilizando o teste acelerado de estabilidade oxidativa em Rancimat®. O EHL, o tipo de tensoativo e a técnica de preparo da formulação influenciaram diretamente na estabilidade do sistema. Para as formulações estudadas, o tensoativo que conferiu uma maior estabilidade foi o Gelucire® 44/14, sendo selecionado para prosseguimento com o processo de secagem das composições. O rendimento do processo atingiu em média 51,3 ±3,5 %, típico para secadores do tipo spray dryer em escala laboratorial. A maioria das partículas apresentou aparência arredondada, sem presença visível de porosidade, independente do adjuvante (lactose ou trealose). O produto apresentou baixa atividade de água (<= 0,22) e teor de umidade (<= 1,79). O aumento da temperatura de secagem provocou um ligeiro aumento no diâmetro médio de partícula quando a lactose foi utilizada como adjuvante de secagem (9,8 ± 5,9 ?m para 13,65 ± 8,4 ?m). Os pós obtidos tiveram baixa densidade, sendo menor em temperaturas mais altas. O índice de Carr e Fator de Hausner (15 % e < 1,25, respectivamente) indicaram boas propriedades de compressão e fluidez. O produto foi prontamente redispersível, recuperando facilmente sua consistência e características originais. A avaliação da estabilidade oxidativa acelerada utilizando Rancimat demonstrou que o processo de encapsulação conferiu uma maior solubilidade e proteção dos compostos bioativos, levando ao aumento da atividade antioxidante. Os resultados aqui relatados confirmam a viabilidade da encapsulação dos compostos bioativos de Camellia sinensis em carreadores lipídios empregando o processo de spray drying. O produto apresenta potencial de aplicação como matéria-prima para a produção de formas orais, inclusão em produtos nutracêuticos e cosméticos / Green tea, a product made from Camellia sinensis leaves, is recognized worldwide by its high polyphenol content, in special the catechins. Tea catechins are linked to the prevention of several degenerative diseases as cancer and diabetes. However, several drawbacks need to be overcome in order to increase the use of this products, being their bioavailability one of the upmost. The development of carrier lipid based containing bioproducts is a recent technology, which can solve several bioavailability problems presented by natural products, producing a structure which confer protection to active compounds. The aim of this work was the development of carrier lipid based compositions containing bioactive compounds of Camellia sinensis (green tea) by spray drying evaluating processes of preparation, type of excipients and characterization of physicochemical properties and evaluation the antioxidant activity in vitro of the product. Bioactive compounds from dried and milled green tea leaves was extracted by dynamic maceration, filtered, concentrated and freeze-dried. The formulation was developed through the utilization of Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance System (HLB) using the non-ionic surfactants and a co-solvent and characterized by organoleptic analysis, centrifugation, rheology, optical microscopy, size distribution and zeta potential. The most stable compositions were submitted to spray drying. The compositions were dried in a labscale spray dryer at flow rate of 4.0 g/min at temperatures of 100, 120 and 150 °C. The spray drying performance was characterized by determination of the powder production yield. Spray dried powders were characterized by moisture content, water activity, density, size distribution, flow properties, crystallinity, morphology, and redispersibility. After, it was evaluated the antioxidant activity of the product in vegetable oil (soybean oil) using the accelerated oxidative stability test Rancimat®. The HLB, the type of surfactant and the preparation method of the formulation influenced the system stability. For the formulations studied, the surfactant which confers the greater stability was Gelucire® 44/14, which was selected to prepare composition for spray drying. The powder production yield falls around 51.3 ±3.5 %, typical for lab scale spray dryers. Wrinkled and rounded particles, without visible presence porosities were mostly generated, independent of the adjuvant (trehalose or lactose). The product presented low water activity (<= 0.20) and low moisture content (<= 1.79). Increasing in drying temperature caused a slight increase in mean particle diameter, when lactose was used as drying carrier (9.8 ±5.9 ?m to 13.65 ±8.4 ?m). Low density powders were generated, but density tends to be lower at high drying temperatures composition were submitted to spray drying. Carr index and Hausner ratio of the product (< 15% and < 1.25, respectively) were indicative of good compressive and flow properties. The product was promptly redispersible, regaining its original consistency straight forwardly. The accelerated oxidative stability using the Rancimat demonstrated that the encapsulation increased the solubility and protection of bioactive compounds, resulting to increased antioxidant activity of the product. The results here reported confirm the feasibility of entrapment of herbal bioactive compounds of Camellia sinensis in lipid carrier by spray drying. The product has potential to be used as raw material for production of oral dosage forms, inclusion in nutraceutical and cosmetic products.

O interesse em criopreservar tecido ovariano, embriões e oócitos, principalmente quando se trata de pacientes oncológicas que irão ser submetidas a tratamentos potencialmente esterilizantes, vem crescendo nas últimas duas décadas. Uma das técnicas propostas para se preservar a fertilidade destas pacientes é o congelamento de oócitos, podendo estes ser obtidos já maturados in vivo após a hiperestimulação ovariana controlada ou na forma de oócitos imaturos na ausência de estimulação, nestes casos procede-se a maturação in vitro (MIV) de oócitos pré congelamento. No entanto sabe-se que a criopreservação causa danos de viabilidade e perda do potencial reprodutivo destes oócitos. Alguns autores têm demonstrado que esses danos podem ser reduzidos por meio de cultivos que modulam o perfil lipídico tanto de oócitos como embriões, fazendo com que estes sejam menos susceptíveis ao congelamento. Uma das técnicas que permite a verificação da composição lipídica de células e outras estruturas é a espectrometria de massas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar o perfil lipídico de oócitos maturados in vitro na presença ou ausência de PL e correlacionar com o perfil lipídico e desenvolvimento embrionário dos embriões produzidos in vitro. Além disso, avaliamos o perfil lipídico dos meios de maturação usando oócitos bovinos como modelo experimental. CCOs foram maturados em meio TCM ou TCM + PL, contendo 10% de soro fetal bovino, 0,5 µg/ml de FSH, 5 ng/ml de LH e 1 mg/mL de 17?-estradiol em atmosfera úmida, com 5% de CO2 durante 24 horas. Após a MIV, os oócitos foram desnudados mecanicamente, lavados em PBS e armazenados a -80 ° C, até a análise de perfil lipídico. Oócitos, meios de maturação e blastocistos foram submetidos à técnica de MALDI-MS (ionização e dessorção a laser assistida por matriz /espectrometria de massas). Diferenças no perfil lipídico foram identificadas por PCA (análise de componentes principais). O perfil lipídico dos meios de maturação determinado por MALDI-MS permitiu a diferenciação entre TCM e TCM + PL. No entanto, a análise dos oócitos maturados in vitro demonstrou que o perfil lipídico dos grupos controle ou suplementado com PL não foram diferentes. Da mesma forma, não foram observadas diferenças no perfil lipídico e na embriogênese dos embriões resultantes. No entanto, diferenças no perfil lipídico entre COC e oócitos desnudos (ODs) maturados in vitro foram detectadas. Oócitos maturados com as células do cumulus contêm íons PC com maiores graus de insaturação dos resíduos de ácidos graxos, enquanto ODs contêm espécies de PC com ácidos graxos insaturados (18:0) ou monoinsaturados (18:1). O MALDI-MS permite a obtenção de perfis lipídicos informativos para meios de cultura e oócitos maturados in vitro. A identificação de mudanças no metabolismo lipídico de oócitos durante a MIV pode contribuir para determinar a suplementação lipídica adequada dos meios de MIV e soluções de vitrificação, contribuindo para otimizar os protocolos de criopreservação de oócitos humanos. / The interest in ovarian tissue, embryos and oocytes cryopreservation has been growing in the last two decades, especially in patients who are faced with potentially sterilizing treatments. One of the techniques proposed to preserve the fertility of these patients is the oocyte cryopreservation. The oocytes can be obtained matured in vivo after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation or as immature oocytes, in the absence of stimulation. In these cases, an option is to proceed the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes before cryopreservation. However, it is known that damage induced by cryopreservation is associated with loss of viability and reproductive potential of oocytes. Some authors have demonstrated that such damage can be reduced by culture media that modulate lipid profile in both oocytes and embryos, making them less susceptible to freezing. One technique that enables the determination of the lipid composition of cells and other structures is mass spectrometry. The objectives of this study were to compare lipid profiles of oocytes matured in vitro in the presence or absence of PL and relate this information to lipid profile and preimplantational development of IVM-derived embryos. Also, we evaluated the lipid profiles of culture media using bovine oocytes as an experimental model. COCs were matured in TCM or TCM + PL, both containing 10% fetal calf serum, 0,5µg/ml FSH, 5 µg/mL LH, and 1 µg/mL 17?-estradiol, with 5% CO2 for 24 h. After IVM, oocytes were mechanically denuded, washed in PBS and stored at -80°C, until lipid analysis. Oocytes, maturation media and blastocysts were submitted to the MALDI-MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry). Differences in lipid profile were addressed by principal component analysis. Maturation media lipid fingerprint by MALDI-MS allows differentiation among TCM and TCM+PL. However, the MALDI-MS of the in vitro matured oocytes demonstrated that lipid profile of control or PL-supplemented groups were not different. Similarly, no differences were observed in the lipid profile and embryogenesis of resulting embryos. Nevertheless, differences in lipid profiles between COCs and denuded oocytes (DOs) matured in vitro were indicated to occur. The former contain PC ions with higher degrees of unsaturation in the fatty acid residues, while DOs contain PC ions with unsaturated (18:0) or monoenoic (18:1) fatty acids. The MALDI-MS has allowed obtaining informative lipid profiles for culture media and IVM-oocytes. Identification of lipid changes during IVM may contribute to determine appropriate lipid supplementation of IVM/vitrification media and to improve cryopreservation of human oocytes.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common causes of gynecological cancer related deaths in women. In 2014, the estimated number of deaths due to ovarian cancer is 14,270 with occurrence of over 22, 240 new cases (National Cancer Institute, http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html). Despite improvement in treatment strategies, the 5-year survival rate is still below 50% mainly due to chemoresistance and relapse. Amplification of chromosomal region 3q26 is a common characteristic in various epithelial cancers including ovarian cancer. This region harbors various oncogenes including the TGFβ signaling mediators EVI1 and SnoN/SkiL, PKCι and PIK3CA amplified at 3q26.2 and 3q26.3, respectively, in ovarian cancers. Previous studies indicate that these genes can exhibit cooperative oncogenicity by cross-regulating one another and facilitating cancer development. Our earlier studies demonstrated that treatment of ovarian cancer cells with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) promotes cytoprotective autophagy regulated by induction of SnoN to antagonize the cytotoxic effects of As2O3. Since exact mechanisms underlying As2O3-induced SnoN expression and cytoprotective responses were unclear, we hypothesized that SnoN may be regulated by signaling pathways involving genes amplified at the 3q26 locus. Phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) is located at 3q23 proximal to the amplified 3q26 region. It had been implicated in disruption of plasma membrane asymmetry by mediating phospholipid scrambling, a process critical for cellular events such as blood coagulation and apoptosis. However, recent findings have led to more investigations on the role and regulation of PLSCR1 in cancer development and immune responses. PLSCR1 expression is regulated by various stimuli including growth factors (EGF, G-CSF, and SCF), cytokines (IFN), and differentiation-inducing agents (ATRA). Despite these studies, transcriptional regulation of PLSCR1 remains incompletely understood. Numerous studies have suggested a critical role for PLSCR1 in the pathophysiology of various cancers including leukemia, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and metastatic liver cancer. However, the precise contribution of PLSCR1 and its regulation in ovarian cancer development is unclear. Since PLSCR1 (at 3q23) is located in close proximity to SnoN/SkiL (at 3q26.2), we hypothesized that PLSCR1 expression in ovarian cancer cells could be regulated by SnoN. Herein, we present studies that primarily focus on understanding the role and regulation of SnoN/SkiL (a TGFβ pathway regulator) and PLSCR1 (an interferon-regulated gene), which are located at 3q26.2 and 3q23, respectively, in epithelial ovarian cancer. In Chapter 3, we determined that activation of the PI3K signaling pathway mediates SnoN expression and cytoprotective responses upon stimulation of ovarian cancer cells with As2O3. We first identified that As2O3 stimulation leads to activation of EGFR and its downstream signaling mediators as well as modulates its interaction with the adaptor proteins, ShcA and Grb2. Interestingly, while treatment with a general SFK inhibitor (PP2), reduced the As2O3-induced EGFR activation and SnoN induction, a more specific inhibitor SU6656 did not alter SnoN expression. Further, via studies utilizing specific inhibitors and siRNA targeting PI3K, we determined that inhibition of PI3K signaling pathway decreases SnoN induction and increases apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells in response to As2O3. This suggests that PI3K (PIK3CA) activity is required for the As2O3-mediated SnoN induction and the cell survival responses in ovarian cancer cells. Finally, we determined by siRNA-mediated knockdown that EGFR and MAPK1 alter As2O3-induced cell death response independently of SnoN induction. In Chapter 4, via bioinformatic analyses, we identified that PLSCR1 DNA copy number and mRNA expression is elevated in ovarian cancer patients and cell lines relative to immortalized (Tag/hTERT) normal ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells. Interestingly, altered PLSCR1 DNA and mRNA levels were correlated with SnoN in ovarian cancers. We next identified that SnoN knockdown leads to a significant (~35%, P2O3 transcriptionally downregulates PLSCR1 in a ROS-independent mechanism. Furthermore, PLSCR1 knockdown, similar to SnoN knockdown increases ovarian cancer cell sensitivity to As2O3. PLSCR1 knockdown increases cleaved PARP (marker of apoptosis) with a consequent reduction in LC3-II levels (marker of autophagosomes). Collectively, these studies implicate PLSCR1 in the pathophysiology of ovarian cancers and in altering the chemotherapeutic responses in ovarian cancer cells. PLSCR1 is an IFN-regulated gene and mediates antiviral/immune responses. More recent studies in plasmacytoid dendritic cells have implicated PLSCR1 in regulating TLR9 signaling upon stimulation with CpG ODN. However, whether PLSCR1 could mediate the innate immune responses upon stimulation with dsDNA remained unclear. In Chapter 5, we identified that stimulation of normal ovarian and mammary epithelial cells with dsDNA (empty plasmid) markedly induces PLSCR1 consequent with activation of IRF3, a downstream mediator of TLR signaling that transcriptionally regulates the expression of type 1 IFNs. Interestingly, IRF3 knockdown ablates the dsDNA-induced PLSCR1 expression suggesting that PLSCR1 induction in response to dsDNA could be mediated by IRF3. Additionally, we have determined that dsDNA stimulation induces nucleic acid sensing TLRs, TLR9 and TLR4 as well as IFN-α and IFN-β mRNAs. Interestingly, dsDNA stimulation did not induce PLSCR1 or IRF3 activation in ovarian cancer cells suggesting that the mechanisms of IRF3 activation and PLSCR1 induction in response to dsDNA might be dysregulated in ovarian cancers. Collectively, our studies demonstrate a possible synergistic role of SnoN and PLSCR1 in ovarian cancer pathophysiology and suggest a potentially dysregulated role of PLSCR1 in the dsDNA-induced immune responses of malignant epithelial cells relative to normal epithelial cells. These studies could potentially lead to development of a novel combinatorial therapeutic strategy that targets both these molecules for improving treatment of patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Platelet-derived microparticles, released as a result of platelet activation, promote coagulation through the surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, acting as the catalytic site for the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin by the activated coagulation factors X and V. Although elevated numbers of circulating platelet-derived microparticles can be detected in a number of clinical disorders, the methods for the detection of these microparticles are far from standardised. In addition, recent reports have also speculated that not all microparticles may expose phosphatidylserine, demonstrating that the binding of Annexin V, a phosphatidylserine-specific binding protein, is not detectable on a population of microparticles. The initial stage of this thesis was to establish a flow cytometric method for the detection and enumeration of microparticles based on their capacity to bind Annexin V and to utilise this assay to investigate a number of the issues that have limited assay standardisation. The assay could be performed on either stimulated or unstimulated plasma or whole blood samples. Interestingly, plasma microparticle counts were significantly higher than whole blood microparticle counts. The effects of centrifugation alone could not be attributed as the sole source of this discrepancy. The antigenic characteristics of platelet-derived microparticles were also investigated, with platelet-derived microparticles demonstrated to express the platelet glycoproteins CD31, CD41a, CD42a and CD61. Platelet-derived microparticles also expressed CD42b, and this expression was significantly decreased when compared to their progenitor platelets. The expression of the platelet activation markers CD62p, CD63, CD40L and PAC-1 was dependent upon the sample milieu, suggesting that the centrifugation conditions required to generate platelet-poor plasma may lead to artefactual increases in the expression of platelet activation markers. An investigation of the role of the GpIIb/IIIa complex on the formation of platelet-derived microparticles was also performed. A monoclonal antibody to the GpIIb/IIIa complex (Abciximab) significantly inhibited in vitro collagen-stimulated platelet-derived microparticle formation. Interestingly, platelets obtained from two subjects with impaired GpIIb/IIIa activation, demonstrated normal microparticle formation following collagen stimulation, suggesting that the presence of GpIIb/IIIa complex, but not its activation, is required for collagen-induced microparticle formation. A novel mechanism for microparticle formation was also investigated, with platelet-derived microparticles demonstrated to form in response to the sclerosing agents sodium-tetradecyl sulphate and polidocanol. Interestingly, the removal of plasma proteins by the washing of platelets left platelets more susceptible to sclerosant-induced microparticle formation, suggesting that plasma proteins may protect platelets from microparticle formation. The procoagulant activity of platelet-derived microparticles was also investigated using a novel coagulation assay (XACT) specific for the procoagulant phospholipid. An evaluation of this assay demonstrated a significant correlation between Annexin V binding microparticle counts and procoagulant activity in both whole blood and plasma samples. There was more procoagulant activity in whole blood samples than in plasma samples, suggesting that the procoagulant phospholipid activity was also associated with erythrocytes or leukocytes. To further investigate this phenomenon, a whole blood flow cytometric assay was developed to assess Annexin V binding to erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and microparticles. This assay demonstrated that a large proportion of Annexin V binding (51.0%) was associated with erythrocytes. Interestingly, a proportion of the Annexin V binding erythrocytes (24.5%) and leukocytes (78.8%) were also associated with platelet CD61 antigen, suggesting that they also bound a platelet or platelet-derived microparticle. The effect of sample anticoagulant on microparticle procoagulant activity was investigated. Microparticle counts were most stable in EDTA anticoagulated samples, but were stable in sodium citrate for up to 15 minutes following sample collection. The procoagulant activity of microparticles was significantly inhibited by EDTA in collagen-stimulated platelet-rich plasma samples, when compared to sodium citrate anticoagulated samples. Although the initial method used to investigate microparticles was based upon their ability to bind Annexin V, it was consistently observed that a large proportion of events in the size region of a microparticle were Annexin V negative. An investigation was therefore commenced into the procoagulant activity of microparticles based on their capacity to bind Annexin V. The presence of Annexin V negative microparticles was confirmed by flow cytometry and the proportion of microparticles that bound Annexin V was dependent upon type of agonist used to stimulate microparticle formation. Varying the assay constituents (calcium concentration / Annexin V concentration / buffer type) did not alter the proportion of Annexin V binding microparticles. When compared to Annexin V positive microparticles, Annexin V negative microparticles expressed significantly higher levels of CD42b on their surface, but possessed significantly decreased expressions of CD62p, and CD63. A significant correlation between the percentage of Annexin V binding and XACT procoagulant activity was found (p=0.03). Furthermore, Annexin V binding inhibited greater than 98% of procoagulant phospholipid activity, suggesting that Annexin V binding was a true reflection of procoagulant activity. Microparticles could be sorted using either a flow cytometric or magnetic sorting strategy. By electron microscopy, Annexin V negative events isolated following magnetic sorting were vesicular structures and not small platelets or the remnants of activated platelets. In summary, this thesis has demonstrated the ability of the flow cytometer and XACT assays to detect microparticles and their procoagulant activity. It has also shown that the use of Annexin V to detect microparticles may warrant further investigation.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent bioactive lipid component of oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL). High concentrations of LPA have been detected in human atherosclerotic plaques. Our data has shown that LPA highly induces smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration. Cyr61, a matricellular protein, which also accumulates in human atherosclerotic plaques, has been implicated in the injury-induced neointimal formation. Smooth muscle cell migration is a key event in the development of atherosclerosis, and it contributes to the progressive growth of atherosclerotic lesions. Data generated by this study demonstrate that LPA markedly induces Cyr61 expression in mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (MASMC). We hypothesized that LPA-induced matricellular Cyr61 mediates LPA-induced MASMC migration. To date, little is known about the relationship between LPA and Cyr61 in smooth muscle cells; the signaling pathway leading to LPA-induced Cyr61 is unknown. Furthermore, whether Cyr61 contributes to LPA-induced cell migration is unrevealed. Our study demonstrates that LPA, by binding to LPA1 receptor, activates the intracellular signaling pathway leading to the activation of PKCdelta which in turn contributes to the increased expression of Cyr61 in MASMCs. Interestingly, we found that after LPA-induced Cyr61 mRNA has been translated into its protein intracellularly, the de novo synthesized proteins promptly accumulate in the Golgi apparatus and then translocalize to the extracellular matrix. Importantly, our data reveal a novel LPA/Cyr61 pathway in controlling MASMC migration. Understanding the mechanism underlying LPA induction of Cyr61 provides new insight into pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

The interactions between peptides and lipids are of fundamental importance in the functioning of numerous membrane-mediated biochemical processes including antimicrobial peptide action, hormone-receptor interactions, drug bioavailability across the blood-brain barrier and viral fusion processes. Alteration of peptide structure could be a cause of many diseases.<br> Biological membranes are complex systems, therefore simplified models may be introduced in order to understand processes occurring in nature. The lipid monolayers at the air/water interface are suitable model systems to mimic biological membranes since many parameters can be easily controlled. In the present work the lipid monolayers were used as a model membrane and their interactions with two different peptides B18 and Amyloid beta (1-40) peptide were investigated.<br> B18 is a synthetic peptide that binds to lipid membranes that leads to the membrane fusion. It was demonstrated that it adopts different structures in the aqueous solutions and in the membrane interior. It is unstructured in solutions and forms alpha-helix at the air/water interface or in the membrane bound state. The peptide has affinity to the negatively charged lipids and even can fold into beta-sheet structure in the vicinity of charged membranes at high peptide to lipid ratio. It was elucidated that in the absence of electrostatic interactions B18 does not influence on the lipid structure, whereas it provides partial liquidization of the negatively charged lipids. The understanding of mechanism of the peptide action in model system may help to develop the new type of antimicrobial peptides as well as it can shed light on the general mechanisms of peptide/membrane binding.<br> The other studied peptide - Amyloid beta (1-40) peptide, which is the major component of amyloid plaques found in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Normally the peptide is soluble and is not toxic. During aging or as a result of the disease it aggregates and shows a pronounced neurotoxicity. The peptide aggregation involves the conformational transition from a random coil or alpha-helix to beta-sheets. Recently it was demonstrated that the membrane can play a crucial role for the peptide aggregation and even more the peptide can cause the change in the cell membranes that leads to a neuron death. In the present studies the structure of the membrane bound Amyloid beta peptide was elucidated. It was found that the peptide adopts the beta-sheet structure at the air/water interface or being adsorbed on lipid monolayers, while it can form alpha-helical structure in the presence of the negatively charged vesicles. The difference between the monolayer system and the bulk system with vesicles is the peptide to lipid ratio. The peptide adopts the helical structure at low peptide to lipid ratio and folds into beta-sheet at high ratio. Apparently, Abeta peptide accumulation in the brain is concentration driven. Increasing concentration leads to a change in the lipid to peptide ratio that induces the beta-sheet formation. The negatively charged lipids can act as seeds in the plaque formation, the peptide accumulates on the membrane and when the peptide to lipid ratio increases it the peptide forms toxic beta-sheet containing aggregates. / Wechselwirkungen zwischen Peptiden und Lipiden sind von grundlegender Bedeutung für die Funktion vieler Membran-vermittelter biochemischer Prozesse wie der Wirkung von antimikrobiellen Peptiden, Hormon-Rezeptor Wechselwirkungen, Bioverfügbarkeit von Arzneistoffen durch die Blut-Hirn-Schranke und viraler Fusionsprozesse. Veränderungen in der Peptidstruktur können die Ursache für viele Erkrankungen sein.<br> Biologische Membranen sind für grundlegende physikalisch-chemische Untersuchungen von Naturprozessen zu komplexe Systeme, so dass vereinfachte Modelle für solche Studien eingesetzt werden. Eine Lipidmonoschicht an der Wasser/Luft Grenzfläche ist ein geeignetes Modellsystem für eine Membranoberfläche. Viele physikalisch-chemischen Parameter können auf einfache Weise gezielt verändert werden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden Lipidmonoschichten genutzt, um Wechselwirkungen mit zwei unterschiedlichen Peptiden (B18 and Amyloid Beta (1-40) Peptid) zu untersuchen.<br> B18 ist ein oberflächenaktives synthetisches Peptid, das an Lipidmembranen bindet und zu Membranfusion führt. Es kann verschiedene Sekundärstrukturen ausbilden. So ist B18 in wässrigen Lösungen ungeordnet und bildet eine alpha-helikale Struktur an der Wasser/Luft Grenzfläche. Das Peptid hat eine große Affinität zu negativ geladenen Lipiden und kann in der Nähe von geladenen Membranoberflächen bei einem großen Peptid/Lipid Verhältnis eine Beta-Faltblatt Struktur ausbilden. Beim Fehlen elektrostatischer Wechselwirkungen hat B18 keinen Einfluss auf die Lipidstruktur. Es wirkt jedoch strukturabbauend auf anionische Lipide. Das Verständnis der Peptidwirkungen in Modellsystemen kann helfen, generelle Mechanismen von Peptide-Membran Wechselwirkungen zu verstehen und zur Entwicklung neuer antimikrobieller Peptide beizutragen.<br> Amyloid Beta (1-40) Peptid ist die Hauptkomponente von Amyloid-Plaque, das im Gehirn von Alzheimer Patienten gefunden wird. Normalerweise ist das Peptid löslich und nicht toxisch. Hohe Neurotoxizität wird bei Peptidaggregation, die eine Strukturumwandlung von ungeordnet oder alpha-helikal zu Beta-Faltblatt nach sich zieht, beobachtet. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Struktur des Membran-gebundenen Amyloid Beta (1-40) Peptids untersucht. Es zeigte sich, dass das Peptid nach Adsorption an die Wasser/Luft Grenzfläche oder an Lipidmonoschichten eine Beta-Faltblatt Struktur ausbildet. Eine alpha-helikale Sekundärstruktur wird nur bei Anwesenheit negativ geladenen Lipidvesikel gefunden. Der entscheidende Unterschied zwischen den Monoschicht- und Vesikel-Systemen ist das Peptid/Lipid Verhältnis. Die alpha-helikale Struktur wird nur bei kleinem Peptid/Lipid Verhältnis beobachtet, während bei großem eine Beta-Faltblatt Struktur auftritt. Steigende Konzentration an Amyloid Beta (1-40) Peptid führt zum Anstieg des Peptid/Lipid Verhältnisses und damit zur Ausbildung der Beta-Faltblatt Struktur. Negativ geladene Lipide können somit als Keimpunkte für die Plaquebildung fungieren.

The interactions between antimicrobial peptides and phospholipid membranes were investigated, in terms of lipid headgroup variations and the role of cholesterol, as well as peptide composition and structure. Also strategies for increasing proteolytic stability were evaluated. The interactions were studied on model membranes in the form of liposomes and supported bilayers, through a combination of ellipsometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering, electrophoresis, electron cryomicroscopy, and bacterial/cell culture experiments. The findings showed that membrane tolerance against the lytic activity of melittin, was increased on anionic membranes by electrostatic arrest in the headgroup region, and was reduced by hydration repulsion. The presence of cholesterol caused a reduction in melittin adsorption, while at the same time reducing membrane tolerance per adsorbed peptide. Differences in membrane leakage mechanisms were also attributed to cholesterol, where large scale structural effects contributed to the leakage, while other membranes followed the pore formation model. Substituting specific amino acids for tryptophan on an LL-37 derivative, was shown to increase stability against bacterial proteases, while at the same time significantly increasing antibacterial properties. These substitutions, as well as terminal modifications, increased adsorption and membrane lytic properties in a way that was less dependent on electrostatics. Furthermore, by comparing short cationic peptides with oligotryptophan end-tagged versions, the lytic mechanism of end-tagged peptides, and the different contributions of arginine and lysine to membrane adsorption and disruption were demonstrated. This thesis is a contribution to the development of antimicrobial peptides as therapeutic alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

Neurotransmitter receptor types mediating the generation of intracellular signals are of two types; ligand-gated ion channels and G protein coupled receptors. The effector enzyme phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) is modulated by stimulation of G protein coupled receptors, leading to an increased breakdown of inositol phospholipids ("Ptdlns breakdown").In recent years, the receptors in the brain coupled to PLC and modulation of such receptor-mediated Ptdlns breakdown have been characterised. One such modulation is the "potassium effect", whereby an increase in the assay [K+] from 6 to 18 mM potentiates the Ptdlns breakdown response to the muscarinic agonist carbachol in the rat brain. It has been speculated that this effect is one way of enhancing the signal :noise ratio of muscarinic neurotransmission. The mechanisms responsible for the potassium effect have been studied in this thesis.Initial methodological studies indicated that the temperature of the Krebs buffer used after tissue dissection was an important factor regulating the Ptdlns response to receptor stimulation. Expressing the Ptdlns breakdown response as a fraction of the total labelled phosphoinositides was more useful than other ways of expressing the data. Acid extraction of the Lipid fraction was also superior to neutral extraction.Miniprismspreparedfrompig striatum and hippocampus showed qualitative (but not quantitative) similarities with the rat with respect to stimulation by carbachol, noradrenaline and the potassium effect. Dopamine also stimulated Ptdlns breakdown, though probably via a noradrenergic mechanism.The enhancing actions of potassium appeared to be selective for muscarinic Ml-type receptors. Thus glutamate, quisqualate and NaF-stimulated Ptdlns breakdown are not affected by raised [K+].The potassium effect is brought about by two mechanisms. In calcium-free Krebs buffer, the effect could be mimicked by the calcium channel agonist BAY K-8644 and partially antagonised by verapamil. At an assay [Ca2*] of 2.52 mM, however, modulation of calcium uptake had little effect on carbachol-stimulated Ptdlns breakdown at either normal or raised [K+]. The synergy between potassium and carbachol at252 mM Ca?+ is not dependent upon tissue depolarisation perse, since other ways of depolarising the tissue did not enhance the response to carbachol. It is suggested that potassium might have a direct effect on the muscarinic Ml-type receptor - G protein - PLC complex.In order to investigate this possibility, the effect of fluoride ions (which activate G proteins via formation of AlF4) on basal and carbachol-stimulated Ptdlns breakdown was investigated. Fluoride ions inhibited the enhanced breakdown response to carbachol found at raised [K+]. However, this effect is secondary to effects of fluoride on PLC substrate availibility rather than on G protein function. / digitalisering@umu

Adoption of no-till (NT) and reduced tillage management is widespread on the Canadian prairies and together form the basic platform of soil management upon which most crop production is based. Elimination of tillage in cropping systems changes the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil profile and can affect crop growth and ultimately yield. As such, understanding how soil biota, as drivers of nutrient turnover, adapt to NT is important for maximizing crop productivity and mitigating environmental damage in agroecosystems. This work aims to achieve a greater understanding of microbial community structure and function in long-term NT versus conventionally tilled (CT) soils. Community phospholipid and DNA fingerprinting did not reveal any consistent tillage-induced shifts in microbial community structure, but demonstrated a clear influence of depth within the soil profile. While tillage did not result in broad changes in the community structure, total, bacterial and fungal biomass was consistently greater near the surface of NT soils. Further examination at one site near Swift Current, SK revealed differences in microbial biomass and community structure in NT and CT in field-formed aggregate size fractions. Measurement of mineralization and nitrification at the same site indicated that differences in the early-season turnover of N may be related to physical rather than microbial differences in NT and CT soils. Potential nitrification was higher prior to seeding than mid-season, was not affected by tillage and was correlated with ammonia oxidizer population size of archaea, but not bacteria. This work indicates that edaphic soil properties and spatial distribution of resources in the soil profile, rather than tillage management, are the primary factors driving microbial community structure in these soils.