O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do teor de proteína bruta (PB) e da fonte nitrogenada da dieta para vacas lactantes, utilizando cana-de-açúcar como volumoso sobre a síntese de proteína microbiana, composição da fração nitrogenada do leite, balanço nitrogenado e parâmetros metabólicos sangüíneos. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas Holandesas com média de 235 dias em lactação, agrupadas em três quadrados latinos contemporâneos 4x4, com período experimental de 21 dias, sendo 14 para adaptação as dietas e os 7 últimos para coletas. Os animais foram alimentados com rações isoenergéticas (1,29 Mcal/Kg de MS), com duas fontes nitrogenadas principais (farelo de soja e uréia) e dois teores de PB (14,5 e 16,0 %) na ração: A) 14,21% de PB e farelo de soja (FS) como fonte nitrogenada principal, com 65% de PDR, B) 15,57% de PB e FS, com 65% PDR, C) 14,23% de PB e Ureia, com 70% de PDR, D) 15,62% de PB e Uréia, com 70% PDR. Para a determinação da contagem de células somáticas e de nitrogênio ureico no leite (NUL) foram coletadas amostras de leite do 14º ao 18º dia de cada período. Para a determinação dos teores de proteína bruta, nitrogênio não protéico, nitrogênio não caseinoso, proteína verdadeira, caseína e proteína do soro do leite, foram coletadas amostras de leite do 18º ao 21º dia de cada período. Para a determinação da síntese de proteína microbiana foram coletadas amostras de leite e amostras spot de urina no 15º dia de cada período. A coleta de sangue foi realizada no 16º dia de cada período. Houve interação entre fonte nitrogenada e teor de PB da dieta sobre o NUL (mg/dL) e tendência de interação entre fonte nitrogenada e teor de PB da dieta sobre a excreção total de urina (L/dia) (P = 0,052) e proteína verdadeira do leite do leite (%) (P = 0,06). A excreção total de urina (L/dia), o NUL e a uréia no soro foram maiores para as dietas com 16% de PB, independentemente da fonte nitrogenada. As dietas com uréia como fonte nitrogenada principal apresentaram maior concentração de albumina sangüínea (g/L). Houve maior eficiência nitrogenada para as dietas com 14,5% de PB. / The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of crude protein (CP) content and dietary nitrogen source for lactating cows using cane sugar as forage on microbial protein synthesis, composition of milk nitrogen fraction, nitrogen balance and blood parameters. Twelve Holstein cows (235 days in milk) were allocated in three Latin squares balanced 4x4, with a trial period of 21 days where 14 days were for diet adaptation and the last seven for sample collection. The animals receive isocaloric diets (1.29 Mcal / kg DM), with two major nitrogen sources (soybean meal and urea) and two crude protein levels (14.5 and 16.0%): A) 14.21% CP, soybean meal (SBM) as the main nitrogen source, with 65% PDR, B) 15.57% CP as SBM and 65% PDR, C) 14.23% CP and urea as the main nitrogen source, with 70% PDR, D) 15.62% CP as urea and 70% PDR. To determine the somatic cell count and milk urea nitrogen, milk samples were collected from day 14th to 18th of each period. To determine crude protein, non-protein nitrogen, non-casein nitrogen, true protein, casein and whey protein, milk samples were collected from day18th to 21st of each period. To determine microbial protein synthesis milk and spot urine samples were collected at day 15th of each period. Blood collection was performed on the 16th day of each period. There was interaction between nitrogen source and diet protein content on milk urea nitrogen (MUN), and interaction tendency on urine excretion (L/day) (P = 0.052) and milk true protein (%) (P =0.06). Total urine excretion (liters/day), MUN and urea in blood serum were higher for diets with 16% CP, regardless of nitrogen source. Diets with urea as main nitrogen source had higher concentration of blood albumin (g/L). There was higher nitrogen efficiency for diets with 14.5% CP.

Estudos em animais mostram que a desnutrição proteica intrauterina pode acarretar redistribuição do fluxo sanguíneo intraútero, podendo promover modificações permanentes na estrutura e funcionalidade de alguns órgãos, o que ocasiona modificações no metabolismo. Além disso, a desnutrição intrauterina pode afetar a secreção de hormônios que atuam no crescimento fetal, podendo conduzir à restrição do crescimento intrauterino. Esse fenômeno pode parcialmente ser explicado pela hipótese da programação fetal, na qual é sugerido que ocorra uma adaptação metabólica e fisiológica do feto a uma condição intrauterina adversa, que pode induzir o desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis na vida adulta. Neste contexto, pesquisas com suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA) têm verificado a capacidade desses nutrientes promoverem a síntese proteica mesmo em condições catabólicas, por meio da ativação de uma via bioquímica intracelular intercedida pela proteína quinase Alvo da Rapamicina em Mamíferos (mTOR), a qual está envolvida no estímulo à etapa de tradução proteica. Assim, o presente trabalho avaliou o efeito da suplementação de BCAA em proles submetidas à desnutrição proteica materna. Para tanto, ratas Wistar foram acasaladas com ratos adultos de mesma raça. Uma vez constatada a gravidez, as matrizes foram distribuídas em grupos de acordo com a dieta que seria fornecida no decorrer da gestação: CON (20% proteína); VAL/ISO (5% proteína + 2% VAL + 2% ISO); AAE (5% proteína + 4% AAE); e BCAA (5% proteína + 4% BCAA). O protocolo de restrição proteica materna adotado causou redução no crescimento corporal e na massa de órgãos das proles. Embora a suplementação com VAL/ISO e AAE não tenha recuperado os efeitos mediados pela deficiência de proteína, foi constatado que a suplementação com BCAA reverteu parte do déficit observado no crescimento das proles, uma vez que foi eficaz em minimizar ou mesmo em restaurar plenamente diversos parâmetros como peso de órgãos, massa de gordura da carcaça e parâmetros indicativos do estado nutricional proteico, como as concentrações de proteína e RNA hepáticas e musculares. Estes efeitos podem parcialmente ser explicados pelo estímulo induzido pela suplementação com BCAA, na via de sinalização da mTOR, considerando que foi verificado no fígado das proles de matrizes que receberam esta suplementação, aumento na fosforilação desta proteína (P < 0,05), a qual é responsável por desencadear uma cascata de eventos biomoleculares que culminam, em última instância, no acréscimo da síntese proteica. Diante disto, torna-se relevante a realização de pesquisas que avaliem em longo prazo, os efeitos da suplementação com BCAA em proles submetidas à dieta materna restrita em proteína. / Animal studies show that intrauterine malnutrition may cause redistribution of blood flow in uterus, which may promote permanent changes in structure and function of some organs, which causes changes in metabolism. Furthermore, intrauterine malnutrition can affect the secretion of hormones that act on fetal growth and may lead to intrauterine growth restriction. This phenomenon can partly be explained by the hypothesis of fetal programming, which is suggested that occur a metabolic and physiological adaptation of the fetus to an adverse intrauterine condition, which can induce the development of chronic diseases in later life. In this context, researches with supplementation of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), especially leucine, have verified the ability of these nutrients to promote protein synthesis in catabolic conditions, through the activation of an intracellular biochemical pathway interceded by protein kinase Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), which is involved in the stimulating of protein translation stage. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of BCAA supplementation in offspring subjected to maternal protein-restrict diet. To this, Wistar rats were mated with adult rats of the same race. Once was confirmed the pregnancy, the pregnants were distributed into groups according to the diet that would be provided during pregnancy: CON (20% protein); VAL/ISO (5% protein + 2% + 2% VAL/ISO), AAE (5% protein + 4% EAA) and BCAA (5% protein + 4% BCAA). The protocol adopted maternal protein restriction caused a reduction in body growth and weight of the offspring\'s organs. Although supplementation with VAL/ISO and AAE has not recovered the effects mediated by protein deficiency, it was found that supplementation with BCAA has reversed part of the deficit observed in the growth of the offspring, since it was effective in minimizing or even fully restoring various parameters such as organ weight, carcass fat mass and parameters indicative of nutritional protein, such as the concentrations of protein and RNA in liver and muscle. These effects may be partially explained by the stimulation induced by BCAA supplementation on the mTOR signaling pathway, considering that was verified in the liver of the offspring from dams that received this supplementation augment on the phosphorylation of this protein (P < 0,05), which is responsible for triggering a cascade of molecular events that culminate, ultimately, in increased protein synthesis. Given this, it becomes relevant to conducting research to assess long-term effects of supplementation with BCAA in offspring subjected to maternal protein-restricted diet.

Orientador: Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes Marcondes / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T06:14:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ventrucci_Gislaine_D.pdf: 735812 bytes, checksum: 9ccc59181ffe68918015bc1467e83a50 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Caquexia, presente na maioria dos hospedeiros com câncer, é um estado caracterizado pela perda involuntária de peso. Pacientes com caquexia apresentam expectativa de vida muito reduzida e menor qualidade de vida. Nos pacientes com câncer-caquexia há intensa mobilização de substratos dos tecidos da carcaça do organismo hospedeiro ocorrendo, preferencialmente, depleção de proteína muscular em função da redução da síntese e/ou aumento da degradação protéica no músculo. Este aumento da taxa de proteólise muscular tem como função prover aminoácidos para síntese de glutamina, bem como para a demanda de síntese das células neoplásicas. Trabalhos da literatura mostram que o desenvolvimento de câncer dá-se de forma mais agressiva e severa quanto mais jovem for o paciente. Pacientes acometidos pelo crescimento de neoplasia maligna concomitante à gravidez sofrem da mesma agressividade desta doença, com um agravante maior tratam se de dois pacientes: mãe e feto. Neste trabalho analisamos os efeitos de uma dieta rica em leucina sobre o metabolismo protéico em animais jovens prenhes portadores ou não do carcinossarcoma de Walker 256. Ratas Wistar foram distribuídas em grupos experimentais de acordo com a inoculação ou não do carcinossarcoma de Walker 256 e submetidas ou não a dieta rica em leucina. Após 20 dias de experimento foi realizado ensaios com o músculo esquelético (gastrocnêmio) a fim de elucidar o mecanismo de catabolismo tecidual que ocorre durante o processo de câncer-caquexia. Os grupos apresentaram aumento da taxa de proteólise muscular e redução da taxa de síntese protéica muscular. Porém, o grupo inoculado com tumor e tratado com dieta rica em leucina apresentou aumento da síntese protéica e menor espoliação de proteína muscular quando comparado com o grupo inoculado com tumor e não tratado com leucina na dieta. A suplementação de leucina na dieta, uma vez que este aminoácido é utilizado como fonte energética pelo músculo esquelético pode prevenir a depleção da carcaça, preservar a massa protéica corpórea e impedir o estado caquético do animal / Doutorado / Fisiologia / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Title: Effect of protein (amino acid) ingestion on muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise. Purpose: The main objective of this thesis is to verify the three basic factors of the amount, type and timing of protein intake based on scientific studies and literature, to provide the most objective and accurate information and procedure on the methodology of nutrition and supplementation associated with the intake of protein / amino acids after strength training and how it all affects muscle synthesis. Summery: The theoretical part of the thesis, discusses the factors affecting muscle protein synthesis, which stimulate growth and tissue regeneration, based on optimal stress response. Logically, it starts from general, i.e. the explanation of terms such as muscle tissue, the stimulation of muscle tissue and its manifestations and changes, nutrition factors and muscle stimulation, the mechanism of dietary factors (proteins/amino acids), specificity of protein/ amino acids in their application to answer the three key issues, which are summarized in the section named scientific studies, which focuses on the effect of intake of protein/ amino acids, in relationship to the efficiency of protein synthesis after strength training. The section summarizes, in detail, the questions of timing,...

CSIR / Translation initiation is a rate limiting step during protein biosynthesis. Initiation occurs by formation of an initiation complex comprising 30S subunit of ribosome, mRNA, initiator tRNA, and initiation factors. The initiator tRNA has a specialized function of binding to ribosomal P site whereas all the other tRNAs are selected in the ribosomal A site. The presence of a highly conserved 3 consecutive G-C base pairs in the anticodon stem of the initiator tRNA has been shown to be responsible for its P-site targeting. The exact molecular mechanism involved in the P-site targeting of the initiator tRNA is still unclear and focus of our study. Using genetic methods, we obtained mutant E. coli strains where initiator tRNA mutants lacking the characteristic 3-GC base pairs can also initiate translation. One such mutant strain, A30, was selected for this study. Using standard molecular genetic tools, the mutation was mapped and identified to be a mutation in a transcription remodeling factor, RapA (A511V). RapA is a transcription recycling factor and it displaces S1 when it performs its transcription recycling activity. We found this mutation to cause an increase in the S1-depleted ribosomes leading to decreased fidelity of translation initiation as the mutant RapA inefficiently displaces S1 from RNA polymerase complex. The mutation in the RapA was also found to cause changes in the transcriptome which leads to downregulation of major genes important for methionine and purine metabolism. Using mass spectrometric analysis, we identified deficiencies of methionine and adenine in the strain carrying mutant RapA. Our lab had previously reported that methionine and S-adenosyl methionine deficiency cause deficiency of methylations in ribosome which in turn decreases the fidelity of protein synthesis initiation. We used strains deleted for two newly identified methyltransferases, namely RlmH and RlmI, for our study and these strains also showed decreased fidelity of initiation. RlmH and RlmI methylate 1915 and 1962 positions of 23S rRNA respectively. We found that deletion of these methyltransferases also caused defects in ribosome biogenesis and compromised activity of ribosome recycling factor. We constructed phylogenetic trees of the initiator tRNA from 158 species which distinctly assembled into three domains of life. We also constructed trees using the minihelix or the whole sequence of species specific tRNAs, and iterated our analysis on 50 eubacterial species. We identified tRNAPro, tRNAGlu, or tRNAThr (but surprisingly not elongator tRNAMet) as probable ancestors of tRNAi. We then determined the factors imposing selection of methionine as the initiating amino acid. Overall frequency of occurrence of methionine, whose metabolic cost of synthesis is the highest among all amino acids, remains almost unchanged across the three domains of life. Our results indicate that methionine selection, as the initiating amino acid was possibly a consequence of the evolution of one-carbon metabolism, which plays an important role in regulating translation initiation. In conclusion, the current study reveals the importance of methylations in ribosome biogenesis and fidelity of translation initiation. It also strongly suggests a co-evolution of the metabolism and translation apparatus giving adaptive advantage to the cells where presence of methionine in the environment can be a signal to initiate translation with methionine initiator tRNA.

Cannabinoids have been shown to alter synaptic plasticity but the mechanism by which this occurs at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses in vivo is not yet known. Utilizing in vivo electrophysiological recordings of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) on anesthetized rats and mice as well as three lines of conditional knockout mouse models, the objective was to show a two-part mechanistic breakdown of cannabinoid-evoked CA3-CA1 long-term depression (LTD) in its induction as well as early and later-phase expression stages. It was determined that this cannabinoid-induced in vivo LTD requires cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs) on astrocytes, but not CB1Rs on glutamatergic or GABAergic neuronal axons/terminals. Pharmacological testing determined that cannabinoid-induced in vivo LTD also requires activation of NMDA receptors (NMDAR) and subsequent postsynaptic endocytosis of AMPA receptors (AMPAR). There exists a clear role for NR2B-containing NMDARs in a persistent, transitory form, potentially related to prolonged or delayed glutamate release (possibly as a result of the astrocytic network). A key determination of the expression phase is the involvement of new protein synthesis (using translation and transcription inhibitors) – further evidence of the long-term action of the synaptic plasticity from a single cannabinoid dose.

Estudos sugerem que o exercício de força e a suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada apresentam potencial anabólico e anti-proteolítico, exercendo de forma sinérgica efeitos positivos sobre o remodelamento muscular. Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA) e leucina isolada sobre as vias de síntese proteica muscular após uma sessão de exercício de força. Foi conduzido um estudo transversal, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo. Dezoito sujeitos do gênero masculino, sedentários e com idade entre 18-30 anos foram divididos em três grupos experimentais: BCAA (BCAA: 3,3 g leucina + 2,4 g de isoleucina + 2,4 g de valina), leucina (LEU: 3,2 g de leucina + 4,8 g de alanina) e placebo (PLA: 8 g de alanina). Os grupos foram submetidos a uma sessão exercício de força (extensão de joelho) composta por 8 séries de 8-10 repetições (85% de 1RM ) com 2 minutos de intervalo entre as séries e receberam intervenção nutricional imediatamente após o término da sessão. Imediatamente antes, imediatamente após, 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos após o término da sessão os voluntários realizaram coletas de sangue. Os voluntários foram submetidos a biópsias musculares para análises de expressão proteica proteica (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4E Ser209) no período basal (pré), 1 e 2 horas após o término da sessão de exercício. As amostras de sangue foram utilizadas para medir os níveis plasmáticos de insulina, glicose, perfil lipídico e citocinas (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 e IL-10). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para o perfil lipídico e os níveis plasmáticos de glicemia. A concentração plasmática de insulina aumentou significativamente nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 minutos após a ingestão em comparação ao PLA. Para os valores de citocinas musculares, foi encontrada diferença significativa entre BCAA e Estudos sugerem que o exercício de força e a suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada apresentam potencial anabólico e anti-proteolítico, exercendo de forma sinérgica efeitos positivos sobre o remodelamento muscular. Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA) e leucina isolada sobre as vias de síntese proteica muscular após uma sessão de exercício de força. Foi conduzido um estudo transversal, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo. Dezoito sujeitos do gênero masculino, sedentários e com idade entre 18-30 anos foram divididos em três grupos experimentais: BCAA (BCAA: 3,3 g leucina + 2,4 g de isoleucina + 2,4 g de valina), leucina (LEU: 3,2 g de leucina + 4,8 g de alanina) e placebo (PLA: 8 g de alanina). Os grupos foram submetidos a uma sessão exercício de força (extensão de joelho) composta por 8 séries de 8-10 repetições (85% de 1RM ) com 2 minutos de intervalo entre as séries e receberam intervenção nutricional imediatamente após o término da sessão. Imediatamente antes, imediatamente após, 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos após o término da sessão os voluntários realizaram coletas de sangue. Os voluntários foram submetidos a biópsias musculares para análises de expressão proteica proteica (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4E Ser209) no período basal (pré), 1 e 2 horas após o término da sessão de exercício. As amostras de sangue foram utilizadas para medir os níveis plasmáticos de insulina, glicose, perfil lipídico e citocinas (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 e IL-10). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para o perfil lipídico e os níveis plasmáticos de glicemia. A concentração plasmática de insulina aumentou significativamente nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 minutos após a ingestão em comparação ao PLA. Para os valores de citocinas musculares, foi encontrada diferença significativa entre BCAA e Estudos sugerem que o exercício de força e a suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada apresentam potencial anabólico e anti-proteolítico, exercendo de forma sinérgica efeitos positivos sobre o remodelamento muscular. Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA) e leucina isolada sobre as vias de síntese proteica muscular após uma sessão de exercício de força. Foi conduzido um estudo transversal, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo. Dezoito sujeitos do gênero masculino, sedentários e com idade entre 18-30 anos foram divididos em três grupos experimentais: BCAA (BCAA: 3,3 g leucina + 2,4 g de isoleucina + 2,4 g de valina), leucina (LEU: 3,2 g de leucina + 4,8 g de alanina) e placebo (PLA: 8 g de alanina). Os grupos foram submetidos a uma sessão exercício de força (extensão de joelho) composta por 8 séries de 8-10 repetições (85% de 1RM ) com 2 minutos de intervalo entre as séries e receberam intervenção nutricional imediatamente após o término da sessão. Imediatamente antes, imediatamente após, 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos após o término da sessão os voluntários realizaram coletas de sangue. Os voluntários foram submetidos a biópsias musculares para análises de expressão proteica proteica (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4E Ser209) no período basal (pré), 1 e 2 horas após o término da sessão de exercício. As amostras de sangue foram utilizadas para medir os níveis plasmáticos de insulina, glicose, perfil lipídico e citocinas (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 e IL-10). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para o perfil lipídico e os níveis plasmáticos de glicemia. A concentração plasmática de insulina aumentou significativamente nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 minutos após a ingestão em comparação ao PLA. Para os valores de citocinas musculares, foi encontrada diferença significativa entre BCAA e LEU comparado ao PLA para a concentração de IL-10 entre o momento 60 e 120 minutos após. Nesse mesmo período de tempo, também foi encontrada diferença significativa entre LEU e BCAA para a concentração de IL-1. Para os valores de citocinas plasmáticas, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos em todos momentos analisados. A suplementação de BCAA e LEU aumentou significativamente a expressão p-4E-BP1Thr37/46 120 minutos após comparado ao PLA no mesmo tempo. A expressão de p-p70S6kThr389 foi significativamente aumentada nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 e 120 minutos após quando comparado com o PLA no mesmo tempo. A expressão de p-eIF4ESer209 encontrou-se significativamente aumentada após 60 minutos apenas no grupo LEU quando comparado ao PLA. Porém, 120 minutos após encontrou-se significativamente elevada em ambos grupos comparado ao PLA. Por meio dos resultados, podemos concluir que a suplementação de BCAA e leucina associadas ao exercício de força possuem efeitos semelhantes sobre o balanço inflamatório e sobre as vias de sinalização de síntese proteica muscular aumentando a fosforilação de efetores da cascata de sinalização da via Akt/mTOR / Studies suggest that resistance exercise and branched chain amino acids supplementation have potential anabolic and anti-proteolytic, synergistically exerting positive effects on muscle remodeling. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) and leucine isolated supplementation on muscle remodeling pathways after a resistance exercise. A cross-sectional, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Eighteen male sedentary subjects were aged 18-30 years were divided into three experimental groups: BCAA (BCAA: leucine + 3.3 g 2.4 g 2.4 g isoleucine + valine), leucine (LEU : 3.2 g of leucine + alanine 4.8 g) and placebo (PLA: 8 g of alanine). Both groups underwent a session of resistance exercise (knee extension) that consists of 8 sets of 8-10 repetitions (85% of 1RM) with 2 minutes rest between sets and received nutritional intervention immediately after the session. Immediately before, immediately after, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the end of the session the blood samples were assessed. Muscle biopsies were collected for analysis of protein expression (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4ESer209, MAFbx and MURF-1) at baseline (pre), 1 and 2 hours after end of the exercise session. The blood samples were used to measure serum levels of insulin, glucose, lipid and cytokine (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10). No significant differences between groups were observed for the lipid profile and plasma glucose. The plasma insulin increased significantly in the groups BCAA and leucine 60 minutes after ingestion compared to PLA. For values of muscular cytokines, significant difference was found between BCAA and LEU compared to PLA for the concentration of IL-10 between the time 60 and 120 minutes after. In that same time period, also found significant differences between LEU and BCAA for the concentration of IL-1. For values of plasma cytokines, no significant differences between groups were observed at all time points analyzed. BCAA and LEU supplementation significantly increased the expression of p-4E-BP1Thr37/46 120 minutes after the resistance exercise compared to PLA at the same time point. The expression of p-p70S6KThr389 was significantly increased in BCAA and LEU groups 60 and 120 minutes after resistance exercise compared to PLA at the same time point. The expression of p-peIF4ESer209 p70S6KThr389 was significantly increased after 60 minutes only on LEU group compared to PLA at the same time point. However, 120 minutes after the expression was significantly elevated in both groups compared to PLA. Through the results, we can conclude that the BCAA and leucine supplementation associated with strength exercise have similar effects on the balance of inflammatory and signaling pathways of muscle protein synthesis by increasing the phosphorylation of effectors of the signaling cascade of Akt / mTOR

À la fois le sommeil et la privation de sommeil ont un impact sur la synthèse protéique au niveau du cerveau, mais la contribution des mécanismes traductionnels à la régulation de l’éveil et du sommeil n’a été que peu étudiée. Dans ce mémoire de maitrise, nous étudions le rôle de deux répresseurs de la traduction protéique, les protéines de liaison du facteur 4E d’initiation eucaryote 1 et 2, 4E-BP1 et 4E-BP2 dans l’architecture du sommeil et l’activité électroencéphalographique (EEG), ainsi que dans la réponse EEG et moléculaire à la privation de sommeil. Ces deux protéines inhibent la synthèse protéique en séquestrant une protéine nécessaire à l’initiation de la traduction, eIF4E. Activé par différentes voies de signalisation intra- et extracellulaires, mTORC1 phosphoryle les 4E-BP, ce qui relâche l’inhibition et permet l’initiation de la synthèse protéique. 4E-BP1 est très exprimé au niveau des noyaux suprachiasmatiques et est impliqué dans les rythmes circadiens. 4E-BP2, très exprimé au niveau du cerveau, est nécessaire pour la mémoire et la plasticité synaptique. Des électrodes EEG et électromyographiques (EMG) ont été implantées chez des souris mutantes pour les gènes encodant 4E-BP1 ou 4E-BP2 (Eif4ebp1-/- et Eif4ebp2-/-). Les souris ont été enregistrées pendant 48h et soumises à une privation de sommeil de 6h au début de la seconde journée d’enregistrement. L’effet de la privation sur l’expression de certains gènes a également été mesuré dans le cortex préfrontal des souris. Les souris Eif4ebp1-/- diffèrent des souris sauvages dans la quantité et la qualité du sommeil et de l’éveil. De légères différences au niveau de l’expression génique après privation ont également été trouvées. Les souris Eif4ebp2-/- présentaient, quant à elles, seulement des changements dans la qualité de l’activité EEG en éveil, révélé suite à la privation de sommeil. Les résultats de mon projet de maitrise suggèrent une implication de la machinerie de traduction protéique dans la régulation du sommeil et de l’éveil, et pointent vers des rôles différents des deux répresseurs de la traduction. / Albeit it is known that sleep and sleep loss are impacting protein synthesis in the brain, several unknowns persist about the contribution of the mechanisms of translational control to wakefulness and sleep regulation. In this master project, we studied the role of two suppressors of protein synthesis, the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 and 2 (4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2) in sleep architecture and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity as well as in the EEG and molecular responses to acute sleep loss. These two proteins normally repress cap-dependent translation initiation by binding eIF4E. When activated by extracellular and intracellular signaling, mTORC1 phosphorylates 4E-BPs leading to their dissociation from eIF4E, thus allowing the translation initiation. 4E-BP1 is highly expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and implicated in circadian rhythms. 4E-BP2, widely expressed in the brain, is critical for memory and plasticity. Yet, there is no data on their implication in sleep regulation. Mutant mice for the genes encoding 4EBP1 or 4E-BP2 (Eif4ebp1-/- and Eif4ebp2-/- mice) were implanted with EEG and electromyographic (EMG) electrodes and recorded under undisturbed conditions and following a 6-h sleep deprivation (SD). The effect of SD on the expression of genes known to respond to SD was also assessed in the prefrontal cortex of Eif4ebp1-/- and Eif4ebp2-/- mice. Mice lacking Eif4ebp1 differed from wildtype mice regarding the quantity and quality of their sleep and wakefulness, and more subtly in the gene expression response to SD. Moreover, Eif4ebp2-/- mice differed from wild-type mice only for wakefulness and sleep quality, changes in EEG spectral activity generally revealed during and after SD. The results of my master project point towards an implication of the translation machinery in the regulation of wakefulness and sleep and of synchronized cortical activity and suggest different roles of effectors of translational control.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mode of action of pavetamine on rat cardiomyocytes. Pavetamine is the causative agent of gousiekte (“quick-disease”), a disease of ruminants characterized by acute heart failure following ingestion of certain rubiaceous plants. Two in vitro rat cardiomyocyte models were utilized in this study, namely the rat embryonic cardiac cell line, H9c2, and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Cytotoxicity of pavetamine was evaluated in H9c2 cells using the MTT and LDH release assays. The eventual cell death of H9c2 cells was due to necrosis, with LDH release into the culture medium after exposure to pavetamine for 72 h. Pavetamine did not induce apoptosis, as the typical features of apoptosis were not observed. Electron microscopy was employed to study ultrastructural alterations caused by pavetamine in H9c2 cells. The mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticula showed abnormalities after 48 h exposure of the cells to pavetamine. Abundant secondary lysosomes with electron dense material were present in treated cells. Numerous vacuoles were also present in treated cells, indicative of autophagy. During this exposure time, the nuclei appeared normal, with no chromatin condensation as would be expected for apoptosis. Abnormalities in the morphology of the nuclei were only evident after 72 h exposure. The nuclei became fragmented and plasma membrane blebbing occurred. The mitochondrial membrane potential was investigated with a fluorescent probe, which demonstrated that pavetamine caused significant hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, in contrast to the depolarization caused by apoptotic inducers. Pavetamine did not cause opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, because cyclosporine A, which is an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, did not reduce the cytotoxicity of pavetamine significantly. Fluorescent probes were used to investigate subcellular changes induced by pavetamine in H9c2 cells. The mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticula showed abnormal features compared to the control cells, which is consistent with the electron microscopy studies. The lysosomes of treated cells were more abundant and enlarged. The activity of cytosolic hexosaminidase was nearly three times higher in the treated cells than in the control cells, which suggested increased lysosomal membrane permeability. The activity of acid phosphatase was also increased in comparison to the control cells. In addition, the organization of the cytoskeletal F-actin of treated cells was severely affected by pavetamine. Rat neonatal cardiomyocytes were labelled with antibodies to detect the three major contractile proteins (titin, actin and myosin) and cytoskeletal proteins (F-actin, desmin and β-tubulin). Cells treated with pavetamine had degraded myosin and titin, with altered morphology of sarcomeric actin. Vacuoles appeared in the β-tubulin network, but the appearance of desmin was normal. F-actin was severely disrupted in cardiomyocytes treated with pavetamine and was degraded or even absent in treated cells. Ultrastructurally, the sarcomeres of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes exposed to pavetamine were disorganized and disengaged from the Z-lines, which can also be observed in the hearts of ruminants that have died of gousiekte. It is concluded that the pathological alteration to the major contractile and cytoskeleton proteins caused by pavetamine could explain the cardiac dysfunction that characterizes gousiekte. F-actin is involved in protein synthesis and therefore can play a role in the inhibition of protein synthesis in the myocardium of ruminants suffering from gousiekte. Apart from inhibition of protein synthesis in the heart, there is also increased degradation of cardiac proteins in an animal with gousiekte. The mitochondrial damage will lead to an energy deficiency and possibly to generation of reactive oxygen species. The sarcoplasmic reticula are involved in protein synthesis and any damage to them will affect protein synthesis, folding and post-translational modifications. This will activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) and sarcoplasmic reticula-associated protein degradation (ERAD). If the oxidizing environment of the sarcoplasmic reticula is disturbed, it will activate the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) to clear aggregated and misfolded proteins. Lastly, the mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticula and F-actin are involved in calcium homeostasis. Any damage to these organelles will have a profound influence on calcium flux in the heart and will further contribute to the contractile dysfunction that characterizes gousiekte. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

Proteins—polymers of amino acids—are a major class of biomolecules whose myriad functions facilitate many crucial biological processes. Accordingly, human control over these biological processes depends upon the ability to study, produce, and modify proteins. One innovative tool for accomplishing these aims is cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS). This technique, rather than using living cells to make protein, simply extracts the cells' natural protein-making machinery and then uses it to produce protein in vitro. Because living cells are no longer involved, scientists can freely adapt the protein production environment in ways not otherwise possible. However, improved versatility and yield of CFPS protein production is still the subject of considerable research. This work focuses on two ideas for furthering that research.The first idea is the adaptation of CFPS to make proteins containing unnatural amino acids. Unnatural amino acids are not found in natural biological proteins; they are synthesized artificially to possess useful properties which are then conferred upon any protein made with them. However, current methods for incorporating unnatural amino acids do not allow incorporation of more than one type of unnatural amino acid into a single protein. This work helps lay the groundwork for the incorporation of different unnatural amino acid types into proteins. It does this by using modified aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), which are key components in CFPS, to be compatible with unnatural amino acids. The second idea is the preservation of DNA templates from enzyme degradation in CFPS. Among the advantages of CFPS is the option of using linear expression templates (LETs) in place of plasmids as the DNA template for protein production. Because LETs can be produced more quickly than plasmids can, using LETs greatly reduces the time required to obtain a DNA template for protein production. This renders CFPS a better candidate for high-throughput testing of proteins. However, LETs are more susceptible to enzyme-mediated degradation than plasmids are, which means that LET-based CFPS protein yields are lower than plasmid-based CFPS yields. This work explores the possibility of increasing the protein yield of LET-based CFPS by addition of sacrificial DNA, DNA which is not used as a protein-making template but which is degraded by the enzymes in place of the LETs.