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

Membrane domains are an important structure in plasamatic membrane. They concentrate various signaling molecules. Their main structural component is cholesterol and by its removal the membrane domains are disrupted. The aim of our work was to examine the effect of cholesterol depeletion on signaling initiated thyreothropin releasing hormone (TRH). Although its signaling cascade is located within membrane domains the receptor itself is not. We showed that cholesterol depletion by -cyclodextrin caused release of Gq/11 proteins and caveolin 2 from membrane domains. We also discovered that cholesterol depletion decreases potency of TRH to activate G proteins as well as induction of release of intracellular Ca2+ In the last part we investigated the effect of disruption of the cell membrane integrity by cholesterol depletion on thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRH-R) surface mobility and internalization in HEK293 cells stably expressing TRH-R-eGFP fusion protein. CLSM studies indicated that the internalization of receptor molecules initiated by TRH stimulation was significantly attenuated. The detailed analysis of recovery of TRH-R-eGFP fluorescence in bleached spots of different sizes indicated that cholesterol depletion results in an increase of overall receptor mobility. We suggest that migration of...

Les REMORINES du groupe 1 sont des protéines spécifiques des plantes, localisées dans la membrane plasmique. Nous avons montré que StREM1.3 (REM) constitue un marqueur des radeaux lipidiques, des domaines membranaires du plasmalemme enrichis en stérols et sphingolipides. De plus, REM se trouve enrichie dans les plasmodesmes (PD), des canaux ancrés dans la paroi qui assurent les communications intercellulaires. Nous avons mis en évidence pour la première fois le rôle physiologique de REM dans la plante, cette protéine est capable de ralentir la propagation virale du Potato Virus X (PVX) et d’autres virus. Par ailleurs, l’activité antivirale de REM est régulée par phosphorylation et conduit à une modification de la taille du pore des PD par dépôt de callose. Des candidats protéiques ont été sélectionnées et leur validation fonctionnelle a été initiée in planta par des approches de transgénèse, en expression transitoire et sur des plantes transgéniques soumises à des infections virales pour étudier la propagation des virus. Des approches de biochimie d’interaction des protéines, et d’imagerie ont également été envisagés. Le sujet de cette thèse vise à appréhender les mécanismes de l’interaction de REM avec ses partenaires dans la membrane lors de l’infection virale, en se focalisant sur les interactions protéines-protéines lors de la réponse au PVX. Nous nous intéresserons plus particulièrement aux protéines des PD et des radeaux membranaires qui sont très probablement ciblées lors de cette interaction avec les virus. / Group 1 REMORINs are plant-specific proteins located at the plasma membrane. We have shown that StREM1.3 (REM) is a marker of lipid rafts, plasma membrane domains enriched in sterols and sphingolipids. In addition, REM is enriched in plasmodesmata channels (PD) which are anchored within the cell wall and enable intercellular communication between virtually all plant cells. We have demonstrated for the first time the physiological role of REM in plants, this protein is able to reduce the viral cell-to-cell movement of Potato Virus X (PVX) and other viruses. Moreover, the antiviral activity of REM is regulated by phosphorylation and leads to a modification of the pore size of PD via the accumulation of callose, a sugar polymer, around the neck regions of PD. In order to understand how REM is able to induce the accumulation of callose in these specific regions, a large set of proteins have been selected and the deciphering of their functions have been initiated in planta by transgenic approaches, in transient expression and on transgenic plants, which will be subjected to viral infections to study the spread of viruses. Protein interaction, biochemistry and imaging approaches were also used to study this question. This thesis aims at understanding the mechanisms of the REM interaction with its membrane partners during viral infection, focusing on the protein-protein interactions during the response to PVX. We will focus more particularly on PD proteins and membrane rafts that are most likely targeted during this interaction with viruses

Background: In Arabidopsis thaliana, the family of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) is composed of 20 members. Previous studies indicate that plant CNGCs are involved in the control of growth processes and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. According to their proposed function as cation entry pathways these channels contribute to cellular cation homeostasis, including calcium and sodium, as well as to stress-related signal transduction. Here, we studied the expression patterns and regulation of CNGC19 and CNGC20, which constitute one of the five CNGC subfamilies. Results: GUS, GFP and luciferase reporter assays were used to study the expression of CNGC19 and CNGC20 genes from Arabidopsis thaliana in response to developmental cues and salt stress. CNGC19 and CNGC20 were differentially expressed in roots and shoots. The CNGC19 gene was predominantly active in roots already at early growth stages. Major expression was observed in the phloem. CNGC20 showed highest promoter activity in mesophyll cells surrounding the veins. Its expression increased during development and was maximal in mature and senescent leaves. Both genes were upregulated in the shoot in response to elevated NaCl but not mannitol concentrations. While in the root, CNGC19 did not respond to changes in the salt concentration, in the shoot it was strongly upregulated in the observed time frame (6-72 hours). Salt-induction of CNGC20 was also observed in the shoot, starting already one hour after stress treatment. It occurred with similar kinetics, irrespective of whether NaCl was applied to roots of intact plants or to the petiole of detached leaves. No differences in K and Na contents of the shoots were measured in homozygous T-DNA insertion lines for CNGC19 and CNGC20, respectively, which developed a growth phenotype in the presence of up to 75 mM NaCl similar to that of the wild type. Conclusion: Together, the results strongly suggest that both channels are involved in the salinity response of different cell types in the shoot. Upon salinity both genes are upregulated within hours. CNGC19 and CNGC20 could assist the plant to cope with toxic effects caused by salt stress, probably by contributing to a re-allocation of sodium within the plant.

The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in the apical membrane of blowfly (Calliphora vicina) salivary gland cells energizes the secretion of a KCl-rich saliva in response to the neurohormone serotonin (5-HT). We have shown previously that exposure to 5-HT induces a cAMP-mediated reversible assembly of V-0 and V-1 subcomplexes to V-ATPase holoenzymes and increases V-ATPase-driven proton transport. Here, we analyze whether the effect of cAMP on V-ATPase is mediated by protein kinase A (PKA) or exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), the cAMP target proteins that are present within the salivary glands. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows that PKA activators, but not Epac activators, induce the translocation of V1 components from the cytoplasm to the apical membrane, indicative of an assembly of V-ATPase holoenzymes. Measurements of transepithelial voltage changes and microfluorometric pH measurements at the luminal surface of cells in isolated glands demonstrate further that PKA-activating cAMP analogs increase cation transport to the gland lumen and induce a V-ATPase-dependent luminal acidification, whereas activators of Epac do not. Inhibitors of PKA block the 5-HT-induced V-1 translocation to the apical membrane and the increase in proton transport. We conclude that cAMP exerts its effects on V-ATPase via PKA.

The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells contains cholesterol and glycosphingolipids enriched nanodomains known as lipid rafts; which are believed to exist in a liquid ordered (lo) state. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) is used to deplete cellular cholesterol and a widespread assumption is that MBCD preferentially targets cholesterol in lipid rafts. To analyze this in T cells a progressive cholesterol extraction protocols was established. At 37ºC, MBCD treatment does not lead to the preferential loss of cholesterol from TX-DRMs. At 0ºC only 35% of total cholesterol could be extracted demonstrating that less than 35% of the cell’s cholesterol is found in the plasma membrane. Moreover, incubation of cells at 0ºC causes loss of plasma membrane cholesterol and an increase in cholesteryl esters. The increase in cholesterol esters upon cold exposure is linked to the cholesterol concentration induced activation of ACAT enzyme which converts cholesterol to cholesteryl esters. Cholesterol concentration specific activation of ACAT and conversion of cholesterol to cholesteryl esters during the loading of cholesterol onto T cells by MBCD was also observed. By using MBCD for progressive cholesterol depletion from T cells at 37ºC, the effect of cholesterol depletion on T cell signaling was addressed. At 10-20% cholesterol depletion levels, tyrosine phosphorylation is increased and ERK is activated. Peripheral actin polymerization, cell spreading and membrane protrusions are also triggered by limited cholesterol depletion. Upon limited cholesterol depletion aggregation of lipid rafts in the plasma membrane was observed. The aggregation of lipid rafts upon cholesterol depletion does not dependent on the signaling proteins such as Src-kinases. Upon cholesterol depletion there is an increase in overall plasma membrane order, indicative of more ordered domains forming at the expense of disordered domains. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: In press.</p>

The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells contains cholesterol and glycosphingolipids enriched nanodomains known as lipid rafts; which are believed to exist in a liquid ordered (lo) state. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) is used to deplete cellular cholesterol and a widespread assumption is that MBCD preferentially targets cholesterol in lipid rafts. To analyze this in T cells a progressive cholesterol extraction protocols was established. At 37ºC, MBCD treatment does not lead to the preferential loss of cholesterol from TX-DRMs. At 0ºC only 35% of total cholesterol could be extracted demonstrating that less than 35% of the cell’s cholesterol is found in the plasma membrane. Moreover, incubation of cells at 0ºC causes loss of plasma membrane cholesterol and an increase in cholesteryl esters. The increase in cholesterol esters upon cold exposure is linked to the cholesterol concentration induced activation of ACAT enzyme which converts cholesterol to cholesteryl esters. Cholesterol concentration specific activation of ACAT and conversion of cholesterol to cholesteryl esters during the loading of cholesterol onto T cells by MBCD was also observed. By using MBCD for progressive cholesterol depletion from T cells at 37ºC, the effect of cholesterol depletion on T cell signaling was addressed. At 10-20% cholesterol depletion levels, tyrosine phosphorylation is increased and ERK is activated. Peripheral actin polymerization, cell spreading and membrane protrusions are also triggered by limited cholesterol depletion. Upon limited cholesterol depletion aggregation of lipid rafts in the plasma membrane was observed. The aggregation of lipid rafts upon cholesterol depletion does not dependent on the signaling proteins such as Src-kinases. Upon cholesterol depletion there is an increase in overall plasma membrane order, indicative of more ordered domains forming at the expense of disordered domains. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: In press.

No description available.

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

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that afflicts all patients differently, and therefore requires individualized treatment depending on a large variety of factors. Several methods of classification exist to divide patients into meaningful groups in order to better personalize their treatment regimens. Healthcare is evolving into more use of personalized treatments that can more effectively treat patients on an individual level, rather than by using more generalized treatments that may not prove effective in all patients. In addition, personalized treatment also aims to reduce adverse effects, while increasing effectiveness. Estrogen receptor (ER) status is one such method of grouping breast cancer patients into different treatment groups. Based on stage diagnosis and determination of receptor status, initial treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy may be used. Standard chemotherapy is another method, however, side effects may vary among patients and may be quite adverse. Other treatments include hormone or receptor blocking. This thesis has identified an alternatively spliced variant of classical ERα that resides in the plasma membrane of breast cancer cells and plays a major role in rapid signaling by estrogen. The overall aim of this thesis was to examine the role of the membrane receptor for 17β-estradiol (E2) in breast cancer that enhances breast tumor aggressiveness and to evaluate the mechanisms by which it functions. The general hypothesis was that nonclassical estrogen signaling through the proposed membrane-associated ER, ERα36, can promote breast tumor aggressiveness by enhancing cell survivability while altering expression of angiogenic and metastatic factors. This work examined the mechanisms of ERα36-dependent signaling in breast cancer cells, and the correlation of ERα36 to clinical outcome in human breast cancer tissue through histological evaluation. These data provide significant research as they provide a greater understanding of estrogen signaling in breast cancer through ERα36 and its role in tumorigenicity and metastasis. This study also proposes further clinical examination of ERα36, and suggests drug design to target ERα36 followed by preclinical studies to determine if drugs targeting ERα36 would benefit breast cancer patients by reducing tumorigenicity and increasing survival.