Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Tumores odontogênicos constituem grupo abrangente de afecções tumorais, sendo ameloblastomas e tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos as lesões benignas de maior frequência, cujas características biológicas são pouco conhecidas. Objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o perfil imuno-histoquímico das proteínas pRB e p53 em ameloblastoma e tumor odontogênico queratocístico. Foram avaliadas amostras de material parafinado de 21 casos de ameloblastoma e de 20 casos de tumor odontogênico queratocístico para ensaio de imuno-histoquímica com os anticorpos anti-pRB e anti-p53. A contagem da imuno-marcação foi realizada a partir de fotografias de alta resolução processadas no software ImageJ para quantificação manual em campo de 1000 células. A localização da imuno-marcação para ambos anticorpos foi semelhante, sendo em ameloblastomas predominantemente nas células da periferia e, em tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos, nas camadas suprabasais. Quantitativamente, as porcentagens de células marcadas foram estatisticamente maior nos ameloblastoma para anti-p53 (p=0,01) e maior nos tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos para anti-pRB (p=0,04). Não houve correlação estatística entre a porcentagem de células marcadas para anti-p53 e anti-pRB nos ameloblastomas, porém, esta correlação foi positiva e moderada nos tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos (r=0,537; p=0,018). Nota-se ligeira diferença na quantificação das imuno-marcações para o anti-p53 e anti-pRB. Tais resultados devem ser ponderados pela reduzida casuística, porém, sugerem perfis distintos em mecanismos biológicos determinantes para ambos os tumores. / Odontogenic tumors are a comprehensive group of tumor diseases, being ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors the most frequent benign odontogenic tumors. Their biological characteristics are little unknown. The aim of present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical profile of pRB and p53 proteins in 21 cases of ameloblastomas and 20 cases of keratocystic odontogenic tumors for anti-pRB and anti-p53 antibodies. The quantification of immunostaining was performed manually with high-resolution photographs processed in the ImageJ software to quantify positive cells in a 1000 cells-field. The location of immunostaining for both antibodies was similar. In ameloblastomas, positive cells are located mainly in the peripheral layers, whereas in keratocystic odontogenic tumors the positive cells are located in the suprabasal layers. Quantitatively, the percentage of labeled cells was statistically higher in ameloblastomas for anti-p53 (p = 0.01) and higher in keratocystic odontogenic tumors for anti-pRB (p = 0.04). There was no statistical correlation between the percentage of labeled cells to anti-p53 and anti-pRB in ameloblastomas, however, its correlation was positive and moderate in keratocystic odontogenic tumors (r = 0.537; p = 0.018). It is possible to identify a slight difference in immuno-quantification for anti-p53 and anti-pRB among these lesions. These results must be pondered by the small sample, however, is suggests a different profile in a preponderant key biological mechanisms for odontogenic tumors.

Tumores odontogênicos constituem grupo abrangente de afecções tumorais, sendo ameloblastomas e tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos as lesões benignas de maior frequência, cujas características biológicas são pouco conhecidas. Objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o perfil imuno-histoquímico das proteínas pRB e p53 em ameloblastoma e tumor odontogênico queratocístico. Foram avaliadas amostras de material parafinado de 21 casos de ameloblastoma e de 20 casos de tumor odontogênico queratocístico para ensaio de imuno-histoquímica com os anticorpos anti-pRB e anti-p53. A contagem da imuno-marcação foi realizada a partir de fotografias de alta resolução processadas no software ImageJ para quantificação manual em campo de 1000 células. A localização da imuno-marcação para ambos anticorpos foi semelhante, sendo em ameloblastomas predominantemente nas células da periferia e, em tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos, nas camadas suprabasais. Quantitativamente, as porcentagens de células marcadas foram estatisticamente maior nos ameloblastoma para anti-p53 (p=0,01) e maior nos tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos para anti-pRB (p=0,04). Não houve correlação estatística entre a porcentagem de células marcadas para anti-p53 e anti-pRB nos ameloblastomas, porém, esta correlação foi positiva e moderada nos tumores odontogênicos queratocísticos (r=0,537; p=0,018). Nota-se ligeira diferença na quantificação das imuno-marcações para o anti-p53 e anti-pRB. Tais resultados devem ser ponderados pela reduzida casuística, porém, sugerem perfis distintos em mecanismos biológicos determinantes para ambos os tumores. / Odontogenic tumors are a comprehensive group of tumor diseases, being ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors the most frequent benign odontogenic tumors. Their biological characteristics are little unknown. The aim of present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical profile of pRB and p53 proteins in 21 cases of ameloblastomas and 20 cases of keratocystic odontogenic tumors for anti-pRB and anti-p53 antibodies. The quantification of immunostaining was performed manually with high-resolution photographs processed in the ImageJ software to quantify positive cells in a 1000 cells-field. The location of immunostaining for both antibodies was similar. In ameloblastomas, positive cells are located mainly in the peripheral layers, whereas in keratocystic odontogenic tumors the positive cells are located in the suprabasal layers. Quantitatively, the percentage of labeled cells was statistically higher in ameloblastomas for anti-p53 (p = 0.01) and higher in keratocystic odontogenic tumors for anti-pRB (p = 0.04). There was no statistical correlation between the percentage of labeled cells to anti-p53 and anti-pRB in ameloblastomas, however, its correlation was positive and moderate in keratocystic odontogenic tumors (r = 0.537; p = 0.018). It is possible to identify a slight difference in immuno-quantification for anti-p53 and anti-pRB among these lesions. These results must be pondered by the small sample, however, is suggests a different profile in a preponderant key biological mechanisms for odontogenic tumors.

In 1998, a permeable reactive barrier system was installed at the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) Chalk River Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario, to prevent the discharge of a 90Sr plume into a nearby swamp. The system known as the “Wall and Curtain” contains clinoptilolite, a zeolite, as a reactive material to sorb 90Sr. The overall objective of this study was to provide refined estimates of the efficiency and longevity of the system. To better understand the flow in the aquifer and through the Wall and Curtain, a detailed physical field characterization of the site was performed. Borehole-dilution tests were performed in 19 mm (¾ inch) drive-point piezometers. The results indicate that the Wall and Curtain system intercepted deeper, contaminated groundwater as intended. Hydraulic conductivities (K) determined through slug tests indicate that the aquifer was relatively homogeneous. Average linear groundwater velocities determined through borehole dilution compared well with velocities determined through the Darcy equation based on slug-test K estimates. The measurements from the field study were used to develop a three dimensional physical flow model. The numerical computer code HydroGeoSphere was used to provide an approximate representation of groundwater flow in the aquifer and through the Wall and Curtain. The model was calibrated by comparing simulated and observed hydraulic head values across the site. The model showed good agreement with the observed heads and acceptable agreement with the field estimates of groundwater velocities. A detailed geochemical characterization of the aquifer and the reactive material, clinoptilolite, was performed through field and laboratory work. Pore-water samples were taken from multiple locations in the aquifer. Solid and pore-water samples from the reactive material were used to determine distribution coefficients for 90Sr and competing cations. Sequential leach tests were performed on small amounts of the radioactive solid samples. Results indicate that the system was highly efficient in treating an average mass flux of > 17,000 Bq/m2day-1. The leading edge of the plume was found to have only reached 40 cm into the 2 m thick Curtain of clinoptilolite after nearly 14 years of operation. The reactive material readily sorbed 90Sr, with a distribution coefficient of > 76,000 mL/g for beta activity. Kinetically controlled ion exchange was the main mechanism of sorption onto the clinoptilolite for most cations. The results indicate that the system was highly efficient. Reactive transport models of the site using two different numerical codes, HydroGeoSphere and MIN3P, were constructed to provide refined estimates of the longevity of the system. The model constructed in HydroGeoSphere included five solutes. Zoned distribution coefficients were specified for the transported solutes. In MIN3P, only the reactive material was used as a model domain. Typical concentrations of the plume were specified. Ion exchange was considered in the simulation, as well as radioactive decay of Sr. An updated version of MIN3P was used which also considers kinetic sorption of Sr. Longevity estimates of the different simulations ranged between 30 years and over 200 years for the Wall and Curtain system. Based on field and laboratory experiments, longevity estimates of 80 years to 100 years seemed more reasonable. Results of the numerical simulation indicate that by that time, the system would have remediated 1200 MBq of 90Sr. Continuous monitoring of the outflow will ensure that the time-to-replacement of the system will be met.

In 1998, a permeable reactive barrier system was installed at the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) Chalk River Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario, to prevent the discharge of a 90Sr plume into a nearby swamp. The system known as the “Wall and Curtain” contains clinoptilolite, a zeolite, as a reactive material to sorb 90Sr. The overall objective of this study was to provide refined estimates of the efficiency and longevity of the system. To better understand the flow in the aquifer and through the Wall and Curtain, a detailed physical field characterization of the site was performed. Borehole-dilution tests were performed in 19 mm (¾ inch) drive-point piezometers. The results indicate that the Wall and Curtain system intercepted deeper, contaminated groundwater as intended. Hydraulic conductivities (K) determined through slug tests indicate that the aquifer was relatively homogeneous. Average linear groundwater velocities determined through borehole dilution compared well with velocities determined through the Darcy equation based on slug-test K estimates. The measurements from the field study were used to develop a three dimensional physical flow model. The numerical computer code HydroGeoSphere was used to provide an approximate representation of groundwater flow in the aquifer and through the Wall and Curtain. The model was calibrated by comparing simulated and observed hydraulic head values across the site. The model showed good agreement with the observed heads and acceptable agreement with the field estimates of groundwater velocities. A detailed geochemical characterization of the aquifer and the reactive material, clinoptilolite, was performed through field and laboratory work. Pore-water samples were taken from multiple locations in the aquifer. Solid and pore-water samples from the reactive material were used to determine distribution coefficients for 90Sr and competing cations. Sequential leach tests were performed on small amounts of the radioactive solid samples. Results indicate that the system was highly efficient in treating an average mass flux of > 17,000 Bq/m2day-1. The leading edge of the plume was found to have only reached 40 cm into the 2 m thick Curtain of clinoptilolite after nearly 14 years of operation. The reactive material readily sorbed 90Sr, with a distribution coefficient of > 76,000 mL/g for beta activity. Kinetically controlled ion exchange was the main mechanism of sorption onto the clinoptilolite for most cations. The results indicate that the system was highly efficient. Reactive transport models of the site using two different numerical codes, HydroGeoSphere and MIN3P, were constructed to provide refined estimates of the longevity of the system. The model constructed in HydroGeoSphere included five solutes. Zoned distribution coefficients were specified for the transported solutes. In MIN3P, only the reactive material was used as a model domain. Typical concentrations of the plume were specified. Ion exchange was considered in the simulation, as well as radioactive decay of Sr. An updated version of MIN3P was used which also considers kinetic sorption of Sr. Longevity estimates of the different simulations ranged between 30 years and over 200 years for the Wall and Curtain system. Based on field and laboratory experiments, longevity estimates of 80 years to 100 years seemed more reasonable. Results of the numerical simulation indicate that by that time, the system would have remediated 1200 MBq of 90Sr. Continuous monitoring of the outflow will ensure that the time-to-replacement of the system will be met.

Pour assurer la production de milliards de globules rouges, l’érythropoièse doit parfaitement contrôler les processus de prolifération et de différenciation. Ces deux processus sont régulés par l’expression de gènes spécifiques dépendant d’une coordination entre l’activité des facteurs de transcription (FT) et les fonctions épigénétiques portées par exemple par les protéines à bromodomaine. Cette étude se concentre sur les conséquences de l’association ou la dissociation du FT clef de l’érythropoièse GATA-1 avec les FT déterminant pour le cycle cellulaire, pRb et E2F. Dans la première partie de ma thèse, j’ai participé à l’étude du rôle de l’association/dissociation de GATA-1 et FOG-2 avec pRb/E2F dans le contrôle la balance prolifération/différenciation cellulaire. Nos résultats montrent que les souris exprimant une mutation de GATA-1 sur la sérine 310 (GATA-1S310A), qui a la capacité accrue à séquestrer E2F-2, présentent une anémie létale lorsqu’un mécanisme de compensation de production de E2F-2 induit par l’IGF-1 est inhibé. Puis, nous avons trouvé que les propriétés décrites pour GATA-1 sont partagées par le FT FOG-2 et montré que l’abrogation de sa fixation avec pRb induit une perturbation de l’adiposité dans des souris FOG-2pRb-. Dans la deuxième partie, l’expression de c-Myc étant régulé différentiellement par GATA-1 et E2F, j’ai testé si la drogue « JQ1 », premier inhibiteur épigenétique chimique de l’expression de c-Myc, pouvait contrôler l’érythropoièse. Pour cela, j’ai utilisé la ligné érythroleucémique UT7 qui prolifère sans se différencier en présence d’érythropoiétine (stade proérythroblaste). Les résultats montrent que le traitement par JQ1 bloque la prolifération des cellules UT7 et permet de réinitier le programme de différentiation érythroide terminale. J’ai alors recherché les mécanismes moléculaires impliqués dans cette régulation et trouvé que l’inhibition transcriptionnelle de c-Myc par JQ1 est associée à l’inhibition de l’activité transcriptionnelle de STAT5 sans modification de son état de phosphorylation. Enfin, j’ai montré que JQ1 pouvait avoir une activité comparable à celle du TGF-b mais sans implication les voies Smad. Des études in vivo montre que JQ1 augmente la viabilité cellulaire et accélère la maturation des cellules érythroides à la fois chez les souris sauvages et thalassémiques. Cette différence d’action de JQ1 sur l’érythropoièse normale et pathologique implique des modifications épigénétiques différentielles entre ces deux types cellulaires et sont à la base de nouvelles stratégies du traitement du cancer. Le rôle clef de la régulation de l’association/dissociation de GATA-1 ou FOG-2 avec pRb/E2F dans l’érythropoièse et l’adipogénèse, nous a conduit, dans une troisième partie, à déterminer in vivo, les conséquences physiologiques de la séquestration de E2F par pRb. Pour cela nous avons crée une souris transgénique exprimant de façon conditionnelle un peptide contenant la partie N terminale de GATA-1 qui se fixe à pRb (GATA-1Nter). In vitro, ce peptide séquestre E2F dans le complexe GATA-1Nter/pRb et inhibe la prolifération cellulaire de façon irréversible. In vivo, aucune souris transgéniques exprimant le peptide GATA-1Nter n’a pu être sélectionnée et une mortalité au stade embryonnaire est observée. Une expression induite de ce peptide au stade adulte ne produit que des souris chimériques avec une fréquence de recombinaison du transgène GATA-1Nter importante. L’établissement de lignées stables de souris exprimant le peptide GATA-1Nter permettra de déterminer les conséquences physiologiques de la séquestration de E2F dans le complexe GATA-1Nter/pRb. / To ensure the generation of billions of erythrocytes daily, erythropoiesis must be well controlled by proliferation and differentiation processes. These two processes are regulated by expressions of specific genes, coordinated by transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic factors, such as bromodomain proteins. This study focused on the effects of the binding and dissociation of a key erythroid TF, GATA-1, to the crucial cell cycle TFs, pRb and E2F. In the first part of this thesis, the role of GATA-1 and FOG-2 binding to pRb/E2F in a control balances between cell proliferation and differentiation was studied. Mice bearing a GATA-1 mutation (GATA-1S310A) displayed higher levels of E2F2 sequestration and suffered from fatal anemia when the compensatory pathway of E2F2 production via IGF-1 signaling was also inhibited. The properties described for GATA-1 were found to be common to FOG-2, and the abolition of FOG-2 binding to pRb led to obesity resistance in FOG-2pRb- mice. In the second part of this work, as c-Myc is regulated by GATA-1 and E2F, the first chemical epigenetic inhibitor repressing c-Myc expression to be described, JQ1, was investigated to see if it could control erythropoiesis. The UT7 erythroleukemia cell line, which proliferates without differentiating was used. This cell line stops differentiation at the proerythroblast stage, in response to erythropoietin. JQ1 treatment inhibited UT7 proliferation and restored terminal erythroid differentiation. The molecular mechanism underlying this regulation by JQ1 was shown that the inhibition of c-Myc expression was associated with the inhibition of STAT5 transcription, with no change in the phosphorylation of this protein. It was found that JQ1 had a putative TGF--like activity, which did not involve the Smad pathway. It was shown in the ex vivo studies that JQ1 increased the viability of erythroid cells and accelerated the maturation of these cells in both WT and thalassemic mice. The observed differences between leukemic and normal erythropoiesis involved differential epigenetic modifications that could be at the basis of new strategies regarding cancer treatment.The key role of the association of GATA-1 or FOG-2 had with pRb/E2F, and the dissociation of these factors, in erythropoiesis and adipogenesis, respectively, led us to investigate, in vivo, the physiological consequences of E2F sequestration by pRb. As a result, transgenic mice displaying conditional expression of a peptide containing the N-terminal part of GATA-1 that binds to pRb (GATA-1Nter) were developed. In vitro, this peptide traps E2F in a GATA-1Nter/pRb complex, resulting in the irreversible inhibition of cell proliferation. The yield of transgenic mice expressing the GATA-1Nter peptide in vivo was unsuccessful, as this expression lead to lethality at the embryonic stage. Using an alternative approach, based on the inducible expression of the peptide in adults, chimeric mice with a high frequency of recombination of the GATA-1Nter transgene were obtained for this study. The establishment of a stable mouse line expressing the GATA-1Nter peptide should make it possible to determine the pathophysiological consequences of E2F sequestration in the GATA-1Nter/pRb complex.

La progression dans le cycle cellulaire est gouvernée par l’activation séquentielle d’une série de complexes cycline/CDK. La CDK4 initie le passage du point de restriction (point R, à partir duquel l’achèvement du cycle cellulaire devient indépendant des facteurs extracellulaires) en phosphorylant les protéines « antioncogéniques » de la famille pRb. Dans les thyrocytes de chien en culture primaire, l’AMPc (TSH ou forskoline) induit la prolifération et la différenciation alors que la voie mitogénique des facteurs de croissance (l’EGF, par exemple) est associée à une dédifférenciation. Dans ce modèle physiologiquement relevant, la stimulation mitogénique par l’AMPc diffère des cascades des facteurs de croissance puisqu'elle n’induit pas les cyclines D mais au contraire augmente l’accumulation de l’inhibiteur de CDK p27 kip1. Le contrôle positif du cycle cellulaire par l’AMPc requiert néanmoins l’activité de la CDK4. L’AMPc stimule l’assemblage des complexes cycline D3-CDK4 ainsi que leur translocation nucléaire associée à leur liaison à p27. Notre but était d’élucider les différents mécanismes menant au passage du point de restriction dans les cellules épithéliales thyroïdiennes stimulées par l’AMPc ou les facteurs de croissance. Dans ce travail, nous montrons que l’arrêt de la stimulation des thyrocytes de chien par l’AMPc entraîne une diminution rapide de la phosphorylation de pRb et de l’activité de la CDK4 sans affecter la formation des complexes cycline D3-CDK4-p27. Par une approche utilisant le haut pouvoir de résolution de l’électrophorèse bidimensionnelle, nous avons identifié la phosphorylation activatrice de la CDK4 comme cible du contrôle par l’AMPc du passage du point de restriction. Ceci constitue un premier exemple d’une régulation de la phosphorylation et de l’activité de la CDK4 indépendante de son association avec une cycline ou un inhibiteur de CDK. Ces résultats contrastent avec l’absence de modulation d’expression, de localisation subcellulaire et d’assemblage des complexes cycline H-CDK7-Mat1, la CAK considérée comme responsable de la phosphorylation activatrice de la CDK4. Ceci suggère que les CAKs régulées activant la CDK4 n’ont pas encore été identifiées. D’autre part, alors que la TSH induit une accumulation de p27, nous montrons à présent que l’expression de la p21 apparentée est augmentée par l’EGF + sérum et réprimée par la TSH. En réponse à l’EGF + sérum ou à la TSH, respectivement, la p21 ou la p27 supportent la localisation nucléaire, la phosphorylation et l’activité de la CDK4. Les « inhibiteurs » de CDK p21 et p27 pourraient donc être utilisés différentiellement comme régulateurs positifs de la CDK4 lors des stimulations des cellules épithéliales thyroïdiennes de chien par la TSH (p27) ou par l’EGF + sérum (p21). Nous avons également montré que les complexes cycline D1-CDK4 et cycline D3-CDK4 phosphorylent pRb sur des sites partiellement différents. Cette nouvelle observation a été reproduite pour des complexes cycline D-CDK4 surexprimés en cellules CHO ainsi que pour des complexes exprimés de manière endogène dans différents types cellulaires. Cette différence de spécificité de substrat entre la cycline D1 et la cycline D3 conduit à différents profils de phosphorylation de pRb dans les thyrocytes de chien stimulés par la TSH ou les facteurs de croissance, ce qui est dû à l’utilisation préférentielle de la cycline D3 dans les thyrocytes stimulés par la TSH alors que les facteurs de croissance induisent surtout la cycline D1. Comme différentes fonctions de pRb sont régulées par phosphorylation sur différents résidus, ce résultat indique que les complexes cycline D1-CDK et cycline D3-CDK pourraient affecter de manière partiellement différente la fonction de cette protéine. Enfin, nous avons comparé les stimulations mitogéniques par la TSH ou l’EGF + sérum dans les thyrocytes humains normaux en culture primaire. En accord avec leurs modulations différentes, la cycline D3 et la cycline D1 sont utilisées différentiellement dans les voies mitogéniques stimulées par la TSH ou l’EGF + sérum respectivement. De plus, ce système nous a permis de confirmer la régulation de l’activité de la CDK4 au niveau de sa phosphorylation activatrice comme mécanisme déterminant de la réponse mitogénique.

Submitted by Hiolanda Rêgo (hiolandarego@gmail.com) on 2016-08-09T17:05:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ICS_ Leila Brito de Queiroz.pdf: 980344 bytes, checksum: f980c569498b36f40b83a68c4a77fda4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-09T17:05:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ICS_ Leila Brito de Queiroz.pdf: 980344 bytes, checksum: f980c569498b36f40b83a68c4a77fda4 (MD5) / A progressão do ciclo celular é regulada por uma variedade de proteínas, como as quinases dependentes de ciclinas, inibidores de quinases dependente de ciclinas e proteínas supressoras de tumor, como a p53 e pRb. Alterações na expressão de proteínas supressoras de tumor podem ser responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento de processos neoplásicos malignos. O HPV, vírus epiteliotrópico, considerado agente causal do câncer de colo de útero produz oncoproteínas E6 e E7 capazes de modificar o comportamento celular das proteínas p53 e pRb, respectivamente. A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão imuno-histoquimica das proteínas p53 e pRb de biópsias em blocos parafinados (n=56) de carcinoma escamocelular (n=31), papiloma orais (n=19) e tecido histologicamente normal (n=6) e associar os achados à detecção do HPV pelo método de PCR. A imunoexpressão foi avaliada de acordo com a marcação nuclear protéica, em escores 0,1, e 2 (imunoexpressão até 10%; entre 10% e 50% e acima de 50%, respectivamente). Nos Carcinomas, a p53 estava expressa em 61,3% dos casos, assim como para pRb. Nas 19 amostras de papilomas, 5,3% e 26,3%% foram positivos para expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas p53 e pRb, respectivamente. Nos tecidos normais, em 50% houve imunoexpressão da p53 e em 16,7% da pRb. Foi estatisticamente significante a correlação entre a detecção da proteína p53 e a natureza da neoplasia (p=0,000), assim como para análise da proteína pRb foi estatisticamente significante a diferença entre os ranks médios do epitélio normal e carcinoma (p=0,014) e papilomas e carcinomas (p=0,003). De acordo com o grau de expressão, o escore 2 (superexpressão) para p53 e pRb foi associado ao desenvolvimento de neoplasias malignas, não sendo este escore detectado nas lesões papilomatosas ou em tecidos histologicamente normais. O presente estudo não permitiu definir o associação do HPV com a imunoexpressão das proteínas p53 e pRb em lesões malignas e benignas na cavidade oral, em função do pequeno número de amostra com resultados positivos.

Endochondral ossification is the process of skeletal bone growth via the formation of a cartilage template that subsequently undergoes mineralization to form trabecular bone. Genetic mutations affecting the proliferation or differentiation of chondrocytes result in skeletal abnormalities. Activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) modulates expression of cell cycle regulatory genes in chondrocytes, and mutation of ATF-2 results in a dwarfed phenotype. Here we investigate the regulatory role that ATF-2 plays in expression of the pocket proteins, cell cycle regulators important in cellular proliferation and differentiation. The spatial and temporal pattern of pocket protein expression was identified in wild type and mutant growth plates. Expression of retinoblastoma (pRb) mRNA and protein were decreased in ATF-2 mutant primary chondrocytes. pRb mRNA expression was coordinated with chondrogenic differentiation and cell cycle exit in ATDC5 cells. Type X collagen immunohistochemistry was performed to visualize a delay in differentiation in response to loss of ATF-2 signaling. Chondrocyte proliferation was also affected by loss of ATF-2. These studies suggest pRb plays a role in chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation and growth plate development by modulating cell cycle progression. ATF-2 regulates expression of pRb within the developing growth plate, contributing to the skeletal phenotype of ATF-2 mutant mice through the regulation of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation.

The retinoblastoma family of phosphoproteins consisting of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and the two structurally related proteins p130 and p107 play an important role in the negative regulation of cell cycle progression. Hypophosphorylated pocket proteins interact with the different members of the E2F family and repress the transcription of E2F-dependent genes and consequently suppress cell cycle progression through the G0/G1 transition and the restriction point in G1. Mitogenic stimulation results in sequential activation of cyclin/CDK complexes in mid to late G1, leading to subsequent hyperphosphorylation at multiple Ser/Thr sites of pocket proteins triggering dissociation of pocket protein/E2F complexes. This disruption leads to de-repression of many E2F dependent genes whose products are essential for cell cycle progression. The traditional view has been that pocket proteins continue to be hyperphosphorylated through the S and G2 phases and following cyclin/CDK inactivation during mitotic exit become dephosphorylated by action of PP1. However, our lab observed that upon treatment of asynchronously growing cells with the CDK inhibitor Flavopiridol or CHX, pocket proteins, are rapidly dephosphorylated correlating with the inactivation of G1/CDKs and down regulation of D-type cyclins, respectively. Pocket protein dephosphorylation was prevented by pre-treating these cells with phosphtase inhibitors at a concentration selective for PP2A, implicating PP2A or PP2A-like serine/threonine phosphatase in this iii process. The involvement of PP2A on pocket protein dephosphorylation was further strengthened by the observation that SV40 small t antigen (ST) delays/prevents p107 dephosphorylation. Moreover, a physical association between PP2A/C and p130/p107 was observed throughout the cell cycle that was not affected by CHX treatment, strongly suggesting that CHX-induced dephosphorylation is not the result of increased pocket protein targeting by PP2A, but rather that a dynamic equilibrium between CDKs and PP2A is shifted to dephosphorylation when CDK activity is compromised. This dynamic equilibrium operates throughout the cell cycle. PP2A is a trimeric enzyme complex consisting of a catalytic C, a structural A and substrate specific B subunit. There are four families of regulatory B subunits designated B, B’, B’’ and B’’’, each with several members encoded by genes with multiple splice variants that mediate substrate specificity and subcellular localization. It has been reported recently that in excess of 200 functional distinct PP2A holoenzymes can assemble with distinct specificities. Therefore, to gain insight into the mechanisms that regulate the steady state phosphorylation of pocket proteins throughout the cell cycle, it was essential to identify the specific holoenzyme complexes involved. To this end, it was identified that a PP2A trimeric holoenzyme containing B55α specifically targets and dephosphorylates p107/p130 both in vitro and in mammalian cells. B55α associates directly with the spacer of p107 and this interaction seems to be indirectly enhanced by the C-terminus of p107. The decreased association of p107 with PP2A/C of the B55α/PP2A holoenzyme complex upon treatment with ST further confirmed the role of B55α in mediating p107-PP2A/C interaction. Our data also revealed an interaction between B55α and p130, but not pRb, which appears to prefer a PR70, suggesting selectivity in the interaction of pocket proteins with distinct PP2A holoenzymes. In accordance with this, recombinant purified B55α dephosphorylates p107 in vitro. Limited ectopic expression of B55α but not other subunits, result in ST sensitive dephosphorylation of p107 and p130 in cells. Further shRNA mediated knockdown of B55α results in hyperphosphorylation of p107 and p130. This suggests that the cellular levels of B55α are critical in modulating the phosphorylation status of p107/p130 rather than just catalyzing the dephosphorylation of these proteins when the activity of CDKs is compromised. Since ST disrupts the B55α/PP2A holoenzyme complex by binding to the PP2A-A-C dimer and leads to hyperphosphorylation of pocket proteins it is conceivable that ST mediates its effects on cell proliferation at least in part, via inactivation of the PP2A holoenzymes that activates pocket proteins. Given the sensitivity of p107 phosphorylation to the cellular levels of B55α, future analyses should ascertain if deregulation of B55α leads to hyperphosphorylation of pocket proteins and abnormal cell cycle progression. / Molecular Biology and Genetics