La maladie de Parkinson (MP) est une maladie neurodégénérative qui se caractérise par la perte progressive des neurones dopaminergiques (DA) de la substance noire, une structure sous-corticale des ganglions de la base. Si la majorité des cas sont sporadiques, l'exposition à des facteurs environnementaux (composés organochlorés, pesticides) ou des mutations associées à une quinzaine de gènes (dardarine, -synucléine,...) sont connues pour être à l'origine de formes de cette maladie. L'-synucléine est également le composant majoritaire des corps de Lewy, inclusions cytoplasmiques présentes dans les neurones DA des patients. Pendant mon doctorat, je me suis attachée à comprendre les mécanismes de neurotoxicité induits par le paraquat (PQ), un générateur de stress oxydatif impliqué dans la MP. Ces recherches ont mis en évidence une implication de la signalisation DA dans la toxicité du PQ dans le système nerveux central par l'activation aberrante d'un récepteur DA de type D1, impliqué dans la mémoire chez la drosophile. L'inactivation de ce récepteur dans les neurones glutamatergiques protège significativement les drosophiles contre les effets délétères du PQ. Je me suis également intéressée aux mécanismes de neurotoxicité de l'-synucléine chez la drosophile et son rapport avec le stress oxydatif. Cette étude m'a mené au développement d'une technique de mise en culture du système nerveux central entier de drosophile permettant l'étude des effets progressifs de l'-synucléine sur la dynamique vésiculaire dans les axones DA par des expériences de FRAP. Ces travaux contribuent à mieux comprendre les rapports entre dopamine et stress oxydatif dans la pathogenèse de la MP

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-107).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Vita. "May 2007" Includes bibliographical references.

In this thesis, the phenomena of the oxidative stress (OS) and anti oxidative stress responses in insects are described in a comprehensive review, and the outcomes of the experimental work are presented. The focus of the work was on defence reactions and their putative control by the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and adenosine in the Drosophila melanogaster model. For this purpose, we studied the effect of the paraquat (oxidative stressor) treatment on adult flies and larvae carrying mutations in Akh (Akh1) and adenosine receptor (AdoR1) genes, and in both these genes together (Akh1 AdoR1 double mutant). The initial mortality tests revealed the double mutant Akh1 AdoR1 was more sensitive to OS than either of the single mutants. The AKH synthesis under the OS condition seems to be out of the gene expression control, since the increase of an AKH amount in CNS was not linked with the stimulation of Akh gene expression after a paraquat treatment. Further, the gene expression of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione S transferase D1 (GstD1) increased rapidly with OS, though the enzyme activity increased negligibly regardless of both the OS and mutations. Interestingly, the relative expression of GstD1 gene was minimal in the double Akh1 AdoR1 mutant; thus, it was concluded that both AKH and adenosine are employed in the GstD1 gene expression control. Similarly, AKH and adenosine seem to act in tandem in glutathione (GSH) regeneration, since the GSH level was significantly lower in all untreated deficient flies with the maximal effect in the Akh1 AdoR1 double mutant; accordingly, the reduction in the GSH level was enhanced by paraquat treatment. Altogether, the important roles of both AKH and adenosine in the anti oxidative stress response in D. melanogaster were demonstrated.

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. Oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS) occurs when protection of antioxidants fails or when an amount of ROS is too high. Telomeres, regions of repetitive nucleotide sequences at the end of chromosomes, are especially sensitive to oxidative stress because they contain a lot of guanine which is often oxidised. Antioxidants play an important role in protection against oxidative stress. In this thesis I analysed the effect of oxidative stress caused by paraquat on activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and telomere length in Locusta migratoria. I also studied differences in telomere length between locusts of various development stages and telomerase activity in locusts and other Orthoptera.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar os efeitos fisiológicos do herbicida Paraquat, indutor de estresse oxidativo, em plantas de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.). A escolha desta espécie como modelo fisiológico deste estudo deveu-se a sua importância econômica para o país, em especial para o Estado de São Paulo. O Paraquat (PQ) é um herbicida de contato que atua especificamente no Fotossistema II bloqueando o fluxo de elétrons e impedindo a redução do NADPH, aceptor final de elétrons. Como consequência, há a formação de radicais instáveis, reativos com a molécula de oxigênio (EROs), os quais causam danos em membranas, proteínas e ácidos nucleicos. A hipótese central foi a de que a atividade de peroxidase de ascorbato é mais sensível ao PQ do que a atividade de superóxido dismutase, nas mesmas condições. O experimento principal consistiu da aplicação, via pulverização foliar, de diferentes doses de PQ (0, 2, 4, 6 e 8 mM de Metil Violágeno, agente ativo), que permaneceu em contato por 24 e 48 horas. Após 18 horas de exposição, observou-se sintomas visuais de toxocidade e uma redução significativa da atividade fotossintética, medida através de parâmetros relacionados com a fluorescência da clorofila a. O nível de peroxidação de lipídeos, indicado pela concentração de TBARS, foi aumentado, indicando danos nas membranas causados pela geração de EROs. Um resultado importante foi o aumento da atividade específica de SOD (Superóxido Dismutase), primeira enzima de defesa contra EROs. Esse aumento foi gradativo com o aumento da dose e do tempo de exposição ao PQ. A isoforma mais evidente foi a SOD Cu/Zn, visualizada por atividade em gel nativo. Esta isoforma está presente preferencialmente em cloroplastos, organela alvo da ação do PQ. É importante ressaltar que mesmo em doses quase letais, a atividade desta enzima manteve-se em níveis semelhantes ao controle. Entretanto, a atividade de APX (Ascorbato Peroxidase), enzima que faz a remoção de radicais H2O2, gerados pela SOD, foi reduzida abruptamnete a partir de 4 mM PQ, apesar de ter sido observado um aumento na dose inicial (2 mM). Este fato sugere que os danos oxidativos em cana-de-açúcar tratadas com PQ podem ser causados pelo excesso de radicais H2O2. Diferente da SOD, a APX é considerada bastante susceptível a certos tipos de estresse ambiental, logo perdendo sua atividade. Analisou-se também a expressão de proteínas por SDS-PAGE e eletroforese 2-D. Em ambos resultados, foram observados diminuição na expressão de algumas proteínas ocasionada pelo tratamento com PQ. Contudo, não foi possível detectar claramente a indução de peptídeos nesse caso, provavelmente devido ao alto grau de degradação das estruturas celulares. O aumento da atividade de SOD em cloroplastos de folhas de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com PQ, deve ser mais estudado, pois esta pode ser uma enzima alvo para programas de melhoramento genético visando obtenção de plantas com resistência ao PQ e a outros herbicidas com modo de ação no sistema fotossintético. / This work had the objective to analyze physiological effects of Paraquat herbicide, an oxidative stress inductor, in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) plants. The choice to use this species as a physiological model for this study was due its recognized economical importance for our country, in special to the State of Sao Paulo. Paraquat (PQ) is a contact herbicide that acts specifically on Photosystem II by blocking the normal electron flux and the reduction reaction of NADPH, the electron acceptor molecule. As consequence, there is formation of instable radicals and highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause damage to membranes, proteins and nucleic acids. The central hypothesis was that ascorbate peroxidase activity is more sensitive to PQ than the activity of superoxide dismutase in the same conditions. The main experiment consisted on the sprayed of different concentrations of PQ (0, 2, 4, 6 e 8 mM of Metil Violagen) that stayed in leaf contact for 24 and 46 hours. After 18 hours, it was observed visible symptoms of toxicity and the photosynthetic activity decreased, measured by chlorophyll a fluorescence. Also, the level of lipids peroxidation measured by the increase concentration of TBARS formation, indicate damage to cell membrane caused by the generation of ROS. An important result was the increase of SOD specific activity (superoxide dismutase) first enzyme related to defense against ROS. This gradation increase was correspondent to the exhibition period to PQ. The most evident SOD isoform by native PAGE was the SOD Cu/Zn. This isoform is located preferentially in chloroplasts, organelle target to the action of PQ. It is important to remark that even in almost lethal concentrations of PQ the chloroplast SOD activity still remains expressed beilng responsible for the removal of H2O2 generated by SOD, which was reduced abruptly after 4 mM treatment. Although, it has been observed increase with the initial dose (2 mM). This fact suggests that the oxidative damages in sugarcane treated with PQ can be caused by excess of H2O2. Differently of SOD, this enzyme is considered to be fragile to certain kinds of environmental adversities, loosing its activity Also the protein expression was analyzed by SDSPAGE and 2-D electrophoresis. In both analyses, it was observed decrease of some protein expression caused by PQ. However, it was not possible to clearly detect peptides induction in this case, probably due to the elevated level of degradation of cell structures. The increase of chloroplast SOD activity in sugarcane leaves treated with PQ should be detailed investigated since it can be a molecular target for breeding programs with the goal to obtain plants with an acquired resistance to PQ or others herbicides with model action in the photochemical system.

This diploma thesis focuses on polar pesticides and their analysis in agricultural commodities. One of the aims was establishing of the method for quantitative determination of diquat and paraquat using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Optimization parameters based on the European reference laboratories recommendations, availability of laboratory equipment and method suitability for routine analyses were taken into account. Extraction of analytes was based on shaking with acidified methanol with formic or hydrochloric acid. Considering the matrix complexity, purification with sorbents and/or acetonitrile precipitation were applied. Method validation was carried out on several levels for selected representative agricultural commodities. Part of the thesis is a field experiment where potatoes plants were sprayed with the diquat active substance. Samples of treated plants and tubers were analyzed for diquat residues. The validated method was also used for screening of diquat and paraquat residues in feed samples collected within official controls of the Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture in 2020. The final method enables to analyze diquat and paraquat with sensitivity suitable for the maximal residue limit controls.

No description available.

In Drosophila melanogaster oxidative stress (OS) decreases lifespan and motor function (Coulom & Birman, 2004; Hosamani, 2013) through degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons (Brooks et al., 1999). The mitogen-activated protein kinases, P38, c-JUN-NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular-signal related kinase (ERK) are activated in response to OS (Apel & Hirt, 2004). My thesis investigated the protective role of up-regulation of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (Sod) and catalase (Cat) in the glia of Drosophila against oxidative stress induced by paraquat (PQ). Exposure to PQ killed ~20-80% of flies and impacted motor functions as measured in a negative geotaxis assay. Pan-glial expression of Sod2 using Repo-GAL4 did not reduce the lethality caused by PQ exposure. These flies displayed a marked reduction in locomotion even when not exposed to PQ. However, their motor functions were not affected by PQ exposure. Pan-glial expression of Cat was not sufficient to prevent the negative effects of PQ exposure (viability and locomotion). Pan-neuronal expression of Sod2 using Elav-GAL4 protected the locomotive ability but not the lethality caused by PQ exposure. Pan-neuronal up-regulation of Cat protected against both the lethality and motor defects caused by PQ exposure. Over-expression of Sod2 and Cat in all sub-perineurial glial (SPG) cells using NP2276-GAL4 protected the motor function from exposure to PQ. Up-regulation of Sod1 and Sod2 in the SPG cells that form the blood brain barrier (BBB) using Spg Moody-GAL4 protected the motor function but not the lethality caused by PQ exposure. Over-expression of Sod2 in the SPG cells that form the BBB protected DA neurons from the deleterious effects of PQ exposure. A cluster of DA neurons, the paired posterior lateral 1 (PPL1), was identified as important for motor function. In both the parental lines and in flies in which Sod2 was up-regulated at the SPG cells, phospho-JNK and phospho-ERK were detected after 1h, 6h and 24h of PQ exposure by Western blot. Phospho-P38 levels were markedly reduced after 24h exposure to PQ in the parental controls. During all time points of PQ exposure, phosphorylated form of P38 was detected when Sod2 was up-regulated at the BBB. In conclusion, up-regulation of Sod2 in the SPG cells forming the BBB protects DA neurons from PQ exposure, maintains the phosphorylation status of P38, which may ultimately translate into protection of the motor function. It is possible that increased Sod2 expression at the BBB sustains phospho-P38 levels which may play a role in increasing the tolerance of the flies to oxidative stress induced by PQ. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) catalyze the dismutation of superoxide radicals to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Mn SOD is localized in mitochondria, Cu-Zn SOD is in the cytosol and chloroplast, and Fe SOD is in chloroplasts. The effects of a chloroplast-localized oxidative stress, caused by methyl viologen or 3-(3, 4-dichlorphenyl)-1-1′ dimethylurea (DCMU) on SOD populations were investigated. A cloned Arabidopsis thaliana Fe SOD gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and was purified from transformed cells. This protein was used to raise antibodies against A. thaliana Fe SOD which in turn were used to quantify the effects of oxidative stress on Fe SOD protein. Effects of oxidative stress on enzyme activity were measured in native gels. Fe SOD responded to oxidative stress with an increase in activity, but not in antibody reactive protein. Two novel forms of Fe SOD activity, with faster migration rates in activity gels, were detected. Mn SOD, a mitochondrial enzyme, responded to the stress with an increase in activity. In contrast, the activity or amount of Cu-Zn SOD protein did not respond to this oxidative stress. In light of these results, we propose that SODs respond to oxidative stress at the enzyme and gene levels. Mitochondrial Mn SOD responded to a chloroplast-localized stress with an increase in activity, suggesting either that the site of action for methyl viologen is not exclusively in the chloroplast or that there are other signals among the compartments of the cell. Fe SOD, but not Cu-Zn SOD responded to stress, suggesting that Fe SOD may be the stress responsive enzyme in this organelle. Evolutionary relationships among different isoforms were investigated based on the known primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of these isoforms. The three dimensional structure of A. thaliana Fe SOD was modeled by using structures of crystallized E. coli and Pseudomonas ovalis Fe SODs as templates. Comparison of prokaryotic Fe SOD with eukaryotic isoforms showed that Fe and Mn SODs are structurally homologous, whereas Cu Zn SOD is not. / Ph. D.