In plants, calcium is a ubiquitous signaling molecule and changes in cytosolic calcium levels reported in response to various abiotic and biotic stresses like salt stress, drought, pathogen attack and phytohormone signaling. Any calcium- mediated signal transduction process involves the establishment of a signal-specific change in the cytosolic calcium concentration termed as ‗calcium signature‘ which is decoded by the specific group of proteins called ‗calcium sensors‘ (eg: Calmodulin (CaM) and Ca2+ - regulated kinases). Plants have a novel group of kinases designated as Ca2+- dependent protein kinases (CDPK; EC 2.7.1.37). CDPKs are biochemically distinct from other Ca2+- dependent kinases, such as Ca2+- and phospholipid- dependent protein kinases, as they are activated directly by Ca2+-and are independent of CaM. They exist as monomeric serine/threonine protein kinases and consist of four domains namely an amino-terminal variable domain, a kinase domain, an autoinhibitory domain and a calmodulin-like domain (CaM-LD). CDPKs represent a unique class of Ca2+ sensors, having protein kinase as well as CaM-LD in a single polypeptide chain, enabling them to couple the calcium sensor directly to its responder (kinase). In the absence of calcium signature, CDPKs activity is inhibited by the autoinhibitory domain, which acts as a pseudo-substrate of kinase domain and thus blocks the active site of the enzyme. In the presence of calcium signature, CDPKs undergo conformational changes leading to removal of the inhibition. Besides plants, CDPKs are also reported in few protozoans viz Plasmodium falciparam, Paramecium and Taxoplasma. However, CDPKs are not found in the eukaryotic genome of yeast, nematodes, fruitflies and humans. In the current study, we have cloned CDPK1 gene from Cicer arietinum (CaCDPK1) in pRSET-A expression vector and expressed it in Escherichia coli BL21pLysS strain. However, while expressing the recombinant CaCDPK1 in E.coli, most of the recombinant CaCDPK1 protein was expressed as insoluble form. Therefore, we focused our efforts on optimizing the culture conditions for achieving the maximum yield of soluble recombinant CaCDPK1. Expression of the soluble CaCDPK1 was achieved by optimizing the different conditions like IPTG concentrations, temperature and growth time after induction. Maximum amount of soluble expression of recombinant CaCDPK1 was achieved by inducing the bacterial culture with 0.1 mM IPTG at 0.6 OD and growing it further for 4 h at 25°C. As with several other CDPKs, CaCDPK1 was found to get autophosphorylated in a calcium-dependent manner. To find the significance of autophosphorylation, we measured the substrate phosphorylation activity of the native and autophosphorylated CaCDPK1, which revealed that the autophosphorylation enhances the kinase activity of CaCDPK1 by 2-fold. Autophosphorylation was linearly dependant on concentrations of the enzyme suggesting that the autophosphorylation in CaCDPK1 occurs via an intra-molecular mechanism. Further analysis of autophosphorylation shows that autophosphorylation happens before substrate phosphorylation and provides calcium -independent substrate phosphorylation property. It also reduces the lag phase for activation of the enzyme and utilizes both ATP and GTP as phosphor-donor, but ATP is preferred over GTP. Autophosphorylation was found to occur at serine and threonine residues. The MALDI MS/MS analysis of the cold ATP autophosphorylated CaCDPK1 showed Thr- 339, Ser- 357, and Ser- 367 residues could be the potential autophosphorylation sites in CaCDPK1. Phospholipids, the major structural components of membranes, can also have functions in regulating signaling pathways in plants under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. The effects of adding phospholipids on the activity of stress-induced calcium dependent protein kinase (CaCDPK1) from chickpea are reported in this study. Both autophosphorylation as well as phosphorylation of the added substrate were enhanced specifically by phosphatidylcholine and to a lesser extent by phosphatidic acid, but not by phosphatidylethanolamine. Diacylgylerol, the neutral lipid known to activate mammalian PKC, stimulated CaCDPK1 but at higher concentrations. Increase in Vmax of the enzyme activity by these phospholipids significantly decreased the Km indicating that phospholipids enhance the affinity towards its substrate. In the absence of calcium, addition of phospholipids had no effect on the negligible activity of the enzyme. Intrinsic fluorescence intensity of the CaCDPK1 protein was quenched on adding PA and PC. Higher binding affinity was found with PC (K½ = 1.3 nM) when compared to PA (K½ = 56 nM). We also found that the concentration of PA increased in chickpea plants under salt stress. The stimulation by PA and PC suggests regulation of CaCDPK1 by these phospholipids during stress response. In the current study we also investigated CaCDPK1 interactions with calcium ions to address the Ca2+ -induced conformational changes in CaCDPK1 by using circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration (ITC). Isothermal calorimetric analysis of calcium binding to CaCDPK1 shows a biphasic curve with two Kd of 27 nM and 1.72 µM respectively. The fluorescence measurements showed quenching in fluorescence intensity with a 5 nm red shift. The plot of changes in intensity against calcium concentrations again showed a biphasic curve, indicating that there may be more than one kind of Ca2+ binding sites. 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) binding showed that calcium bound form of CaCDPK1 exposes hydrophobic surfaces which may act as binding sites for other proteins. CD analysis of CaCDPK1 showed that it‘s an alpha helical rich protein and its helical content increases after binding to calcium. Taken all together this study describes the successful heterologous expression of Cicer arietinum CDPK isoform 1 in E.coli. and demonstrates that the autophoshorylation happens via an intra-molecular mechanism and it increases the kinase activity of CaCDPK1 at least by 2-fold. We also report here that CaCDPK1 prefers ATP as phosphodonor over GTP. The present study also shows the activation of CaCDPK1 by PC and PA, but not by PE or diacylglycerol. Both phospholipids were able to bind to CaCDPK1 and increased its Vmax and affinity towards the exogenous substrate, histone III-S. The current study also shows that calicum binding induces conformational changes in CaCDPK1 and the all four EF hand motifs of CaCDPK1 do not function in an equivalent manner.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ischaemic preconditioning (PC) is the phenomenon whereby a short episode of coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion protects the myocardium against a subsequent period of prolonged (also called index or sustained) ischaemia. Even though the exact mechanism of PC remains to be established, it implies that the heart has an endogenous protective mechanism against ischaemia which, if identified, may have important clinical implications. The importance of establishing the mechanism of PC lies in the potential to convert this biological phenomenon into a therapeutic modality to be used clinically. If mediated by certain components of a signal transduction pathway, such a goal will be achievable. Several triggers and signal transduction pathways have been implicated in the mechanism of protection induced by PC: for example, receptor-dependent endogenous triggers (such as adenosine and opioids) and receptor-independent endogenous triggers (such as free radicals and calcium). However, the involvement of both the ~-adrenergic signalling pathway as well as nitric oxide (NO) in PC has not been defined. It has been suggested that all triggers are linked to a common final pathway, for example, activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and/or the mitogen-activated kinases (MAPKs), in particular p38 MAPK. However, the role of the latter is still controversial. The aim of this study was to: (A) characterize changes in the cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, and p38 MAPK occurring during the entire experimental procedure in an attempt to gain insights into the possible mechanisms involved in ischaemie PC (Chapter 3); (8) establish the significance of the changes observed in cAMP and cGMP by pharmacological manipulation of their respective pathways (Chapters 4 and 5); (C) establish the role of p38 MAPK in ischaemie PC: trigger or mediator involvement (Chapter 6). Isolated perfused working rat hearts were preconditioned by 3 x 5 min global ischaemia, interspersed by 5 min reperfusion, followed by 25 min global ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion. Functional recovery during reperfusion was used as end-point. Hearts were freeze-clamped at different times during the PC protocol, sustained ischaemia, as well as during reperfusion. Tissue cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP), cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (cAMP- and cGMP-PDE) activities, adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A activities and p-adrenergic receptor characteristics were determined. p38 MAPK activation was also assessed by Western blotting, using dual phospho-p38 MAPK (Thr180ITyr182) antibody as well as activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) activation. In addition, to evaluate the role of p38 MAPK in PC protection, the effect of inhibition of p38 MAPK activation, by 8B203580, was determined in adult isolated rat cardiomyocytes as well as in isolated perfused rat hearts. Based on the results obtained, it is proposed that during a multi-cycle ischaemie PC protocol triggers (presumably endogenous catecholamines and NO) are released which induce cyclic changes in cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP. Both these cyclic nucleotides transiently activate the downstream stress kinase, p38 MAPK, which may trigger further downstream adaptive processes. Furthermore, the sustained ischaemic period of PC hearts was characterized by attenuated cAMP and elevated cGMP levels, as well as attenuated activation of p38 MAPK, which was associated with cardioprotection. In addition, pharmacological attenuation of p38 MAPK activation during sustained ischaemia led to functional recovery. It is concluded that the cardioprotection of PC is due to attenuation of ischaemia-induced p38 MAPK activation. Pharmacological manipulation of this kinase should be considered as a therapeutic modality in the future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Isgemiese prekondisionering (PK) verwys na die verskynsel waardeur 'n kort, verbygaande episode van isgemie gevolg deur herperfusie, die miokardium teen 'n daaropvolgende langdurige periode van isgemie beskerm. Die presiese meganisme van beskerming van PK moet nog opgeklaar word, maar dit impliseer dat die hart oor 'n endogene beskermingsmeganisme beskik wat, indien geïdentifiseer, belangrike kliniese implikasies mag hê. Die belang van opklaring van die meganisme van PK lê daarin dat 'n biologiese verskynsel in 'n terapeutiese modaliteit vir kliniese gebruik, omgeskakel kan word. Sou dit deur bepaalde komponente van 'n seintransduksiepad gemedieër word, is so 'n doel bereikbaar. Verskeie stimuli en seintransduksiepaaie is in PK betrokke: byvoorbeeld, reseptorafhanklike endogene stimuli (soos adenosien en opioïde), asook reseptor-onafhanklike endogene stimuli (soos vrye radikale en kalsium). Die betrokkenheid van die padrenerge seintransduksiepad asook stikstofoksied (NO) in PK egter nog nie behoorlik evalueer nie. Dit is voorgestel dat alle stimuli op 'n finale algemene pad uitloop, soos byvoorbeeld die aktivering van protein kinase C (PKC) en/of die mitogeen-geaktiveerde kinases (MAPKs), spesifiek die p38 MAPKs. Laasgenoemde se rol in PK is steeds kontroversieël. Die doel van die studie was dus: (A) karakterisering van die veranderinge in die sikliese nukleotiede, cAMP en cGMP, en p38 MAPK wat tydens die hele eksperimentele prosedure plaasvind, in 'n poging om meer insig te verkry aangaande moontlike meganismes betrokke in isgemiese PK (Hoofstuk 3); (8) bepaling van die belang van die waargenome veranderinge in cAMP en cGMP deur hulonderskeie paaie farmakologies te manipuleer (Hoofstukke 4 en 5); (C) bepaling van die rol van p38 MAPK in PK: betrokkenheid as stimulus of mediator (Hoofstuk 6). Geïsoleerde, geperfuseerde werkende rotharte is geprekondisioneer deur blootstelling aan 3 x 5 min globale isgemie, afgewissel met 5 min herperfusie, gevolg deur 25 min globale isgemie en 30 min herperfusie. Funksionele herstel tydens herperfusie is as eindpunt gebruik. Harte is op verskillende tye tydens die PK protokol, volgehoue isgemie, asook herperfusie gevriesklamp. Weefsel sikliese nukleotiede (cAMP en cGMP), die aktiwiteit van sikliese nukleotied fosfodiesterases (cAMP- en cGMP-PDE), adeniel siklase en protein kinase A (PKA) asook die eienskappe van die p-adrenerge reseptor is gemeet. p38 MAPK aktivering is met Westerse oordragtegnieke bepaal, deur van dubbel gefosforileerde p38 MAPK (Thr180fTyr182) antiliggame asook geaktiveerde transkripsie faktor 2 (ATF2) gebruik te maak. Die rol van p38 MAPK in PK beskerming is evalueer deur die effek van inhibisie van p38 MAPK aktivering met SB 203580, in volwasse geïsoleerde rot kardiomiosiete asook in geïsoleerde geperfuseerde rotharte, te bepaal. Na aanleiding van die resultate, is voorgestel dat, tydens 'n multi-siklus isgemie PK protokol, stimuli (moontlik endogene katekolamiene en NO) vrygestel word wat die sikliese veranderinge in sikliese nukleotiede, cAMP en cGMP, veroorsaak. Beide hierdie sikliese nukleotiede aktiveer die distale stres kinase, p38 MAPK, op 'n betekenisvolle, maar verbygaande manier. Hierdie kinase mag verdere distale aanpassingsprosesse stimuleer. Die volgehoue isgemiese periode van PK harte is gekenmerk deur verminderde cAMP en verhoogde cGMP vlakke, asook verminderde aktivering van p38 MAPK. Hierdie veranderinge is met beskerming van die hart teen isgemie geassosieer. Daarbenewens, farmakologiese vermindering van p38 MAPK aktivering tydens volgehoue isgemie het tot verbeterde funksionele herstel gelei. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat die beskermende effek van PK die gevolg is van verminderde aktivering van isgemies-geïnduseerde p38 MAPK. Farmakologiese manipulasie van hierdie kinase moet in die toekoms as terapeutiese modaliteit oorweeg word.

The phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates play a fundamental role in intracellular signalling. Of particular importance is phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃], which acts by recruiting effector proteins to the cell membrane. PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ interacts with its protein targets through selective binding domains that include the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. The PH-domain-containing kinase, protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), which interacts with PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃, is upregulated in ~15 human malignancies. Significantly, inhibition of the PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃-PKB interaction has proved viable as a point of therapeutic intervention. There is currently a lack of small molecule probes that selectively interact with a given PH domain. Consequently, it is impossible to dissect the cellular function of PH-domain-containing proteins at a molecular level. To address this problem, we have designed and synthesised a number of derivatives of the PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ inositol head-group – Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄. Replacement of the 5-position phosphate with a range of phosphate bioisosteres afforded compounds that displayed no binding affinity for the PH-domain of general receptor for phosphoinositides 1 (GRP1). However, it was shown that the 5-position sulfamate analogue displayed selectivity for the PH-domain of PKB. The methylphosphate biosiostere at the 1-position displayed binding for both the GRP1 PH-domain as well as the PKB PH-domain. These results demonstrate that subtle modification of the Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄ structure allows the synthesis of compounds that interact selectively with a given PH domain. We will now use these results for the synthesis of a second generation of compounds with improved PH-domain affinity and selectivity.

Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa) é o agente causador da neosporose, descrita como a principal causa de aborto parasitário em gado bovino .Parasitos desse filo interagem e invadem as células hospedeiras através da secreção coordenada de proteínas do complexo apical, formado por diversas organelas, dentre elas as roptrias (ROPs), que desempenham papel fundamental no processo de infecção, associado à formação do vacúolo parasitóforo (PV), sobrevivência no ambiente intracelular e virulência do parasito. Essas proteínas podem ser caracterizadas em: proteínas de roptrias de pescoço (RONs), e proteínas de roptrias (ROPs). Além disso, algumas ROPs podem se diferenciar e, dessa maneira, constituem uma grande família de quinases e pseudo-quinases, denominada família de roptrias quinase (ROPKs). O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar as proteínas de roptrias NcROP15B (NcLIV_011700) e NcROP55 (NcLIV_031550) de N. caninum. As sequências de NcROP15B e NcROP55 foram alinhadas com homólogos de alguns microrganismos, incluindo apicomplexas, ao BLAST. NcROP15B apresentou identidade de 19% com as sequencias de ROP15 de T. gondii e Hammondia hammondi. NcROP55 mostrou identidade de 14% com a ROP37 de T. gondii e com ROP28 de Hammondia hammondi, e 15% com a ROP28 de Neospora caninum. Foram detectados domínios pertencentes à família de proteínas quinase para NcROP15B e NcROP55, e peptídeo sinal apenas para NcROP15B. Os primers foram delineados para amplificar regiões de cDNA de ambos os genes com diferentes tamanhos, denominados NcROP15B maior, NcROP15B menor, NcROP55 maior e NcROP55 menor. Os insertos foram subclonados (pGEM) e posteriormente ligados em plasmídeo de expressão pET28 em E. coli BL21(DE3) e a expressão recombinante induzida por IPTG. As formas recombinantes foram expressas com 30 kDa e 16 kDa (NcROP15B fragmento Maior e Menor, respectivamente) e NcROP55 Maior e Menor gerou um peso molecular de 19.9 kDa e 15 kDa, respectivamente. Após purificação, NcROP15B e NcROP55 foram utilizadas para obtenção de soros policlonais. Anti-ROP15B e anti-ROP55 reagiram com extrato de N. caninum em Western Blot 1D, tendo NcROP15B sido detectada com 35 kDa, próximo ao predito (32 kDa) e NcROP55 com aproximadamente 35 KDa, porém abaixo do predito (47.9 kDa). Na imunofluorescência confocal, NcROP-15B e NcROP55 exibiram padrão de localização na região perinuclear de taquizoítos de N. caninum. Os anticorpos anti-NcROP15B e anti-NcROP55 apresentaram, individualmente, capacidade limitada para inibir o processo de adesão/invasão de N. caninum, sendo 16% e 6,43% respectivamente. Quando os soros anti-NcROP15B e anti-NcROP55 foram associados, a a inibição da invasão aumentou para 62%. As proteínas NcROP-15B e NcROP55 podem representar quinases importantes no metabolismo de N. caninum, e podem estar relacionadas ao processo de invasão e proliferação do parasito. Dessa maneira, são possíveis alvos para se considerar no estudo de medidas preventivas, sendo necessários mais estudos para avaliar suas funções na sobrevivência intracelular e virulência de N. caninum. / Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa) is the causative agent of neosporosis, described as the main responsible of parasitic abortion in cattle. Parasites of this phylum interact and invade the host cells through a coordinated secretion of proteins of the apical complex, formed by organelles like rhoptries, which play a key role in the infection process, associated to the formation of the parasitophorous vacuole (PV), intracellular survival and parasite virulence. These proteins can be characterized in: neck rhoptry proteins (RONs), and rhoptry proteins (ROPs). Some ROPs can differentiate and thus constitute a large family of kinases and pseudo-kinases, called the kinase rhoptry family (ROPKs). The aim of this study was to characterize N. caninum NcROP15B (NcLIV_011700) and NcROP55 (NcLIV_031550) rhoptry proteins. The amino acid sequences of NcROP15B and NcROP55 were aligned with homologous proteins from some microorganisms, including apicomplexan on BLAST. NcROP15B showed a 19% identity with the ROP15 of T. gondii and Hammondia hammondi. NcROP55 had 14% of identity with ROP37 of T. gondii and with ROP28 of Hammondia hammondi, and 15% with ROP28 of Neospora caninum. Domains were detected belonging to the protein kinase family for NcROP15B and NcROP55, and signal peptide only for NcROP15B. Primers were designed to amplify cDNA regions of both genes, opting for fragments of different sizes, names as NcROP15B major, NcROP15B minor, NcROP55 major and NcROP55 minor. The inserts were subcloned (pGEM) and then ligated into pET28 expression plasmid in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and IPTG-induced recombinant expression. The recombinant forms were expressed with 30 kDa and 16 kDa (NcROP15B Major and Minor, respectively) and Major and Minor NcROP55 had molecular weights of 19.9 kDa and 15 kDa, respectively. After purification, NcROP15B and NcROP55 were used to obtain polyclonal serum. Anti-ROP15B and anti-ROP55 reacted with N. caninum extract in Western Blot 1D, with NcROP15B being detected at 35 kDa, near predicted (32 kDa) and NcROP55 at approximately 35 KDa, but below the predicted (47.9 kDa). At confocal immunofluorescence, NcROP-15B and NcROP55 exhibited a localization pattern at the perinuclear region of N. caninum tachyzoites. Anti-NcROP15B and anti-NcROP55 antibodies had, individually, limited ability to inhibit the N. caninum adhesion/invasion process (16 and 6,43%, respectively). When associated, anti-NcROP15B and anti-NcROP55 sera inhibition of invasion increased to 62%. NcROP-15B and NcROP55 proteins might represent important kinases in the metabolism of N. caninum with a possible role in the parasite invasion and proliferation process. Thus, they represent possible targets for preventive measures, but further studies are necessary to evaluate their functions in intracellular survival and virulence of N. caninum.

Chau Wing-Kam. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-101). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.I / Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.III / Acknowledgement --- p.IV / List of Abbreviations --- p.VIII / List of Tables --- p.IX / List of Figures --- p.X / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Neurodegenerative diseases --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Tauopathies --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Function and structure of Tau --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4 --- Post-translational modifications of Tau --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5 --- Tau protein kinases --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6 --- Tau protein kinase inhibitors --- p.19 / Chapter 1.7 --- Drosophila model of Tauopathies --- p.20 / Chapter 1.8 --- Aims of study --- p.24 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Drosophila manipulation / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Drosophila genetics --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- External fly eye and adult wing morphology examination --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Study of fly wings deformation on Tau kinase overexpression --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- RNA extraction / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Method --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3 --- Reverse transcription-PCR / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Method --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4 --- SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Method --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5 --- Western blotting / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Method --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.33 / Chapter 2.6 --- Phosphatase treatment of proteins / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Method --- p.34 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.34 / Chapter 2.7 --- Sequential extraction of proteins / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Methods --- p.35 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.36 / Chapter 2.8 --- Sarkosyl extraction of proteins / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Method --- p.37 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.37 / Chapter 2.9 --- Immunostaining / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Method --- p.38 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.38 / Chapter 2.10 --- Lithium treatment of flies / Chapter 2.10.1 --- Method --- p.39 / Chapter 2.10.2 --- Buffers and reagents --- p.40 / Chapter 2.11 --- Quantitation of Lithium ion by atomic absorption spectrometry / Chapter 2.11.1 --- Method --- p.40 / Chapter 2.12 --- Statistical analysis --- p.41 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- GAL4/UAS gene expression system in transgenic fly / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Introduction --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Results --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Discussion --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- Tau phosphorylation and Tau-induced toxicity in transgenic fly / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Introduction --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Results / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Overexpressed Tau is phosphorylated and toxic in fly --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Coexpression of GSK3β/Shaggy or Cdk5 enhance Tau phosphorylation and Tau-induced toxicity --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- Lithium suppresses Tau phosphorylation and Tau-induced toxicity --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Discussion --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3 --- Tau solubility properties in transgenic fly / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Introduction --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Coexpression of GSKlβ/Shaggy does not alter the sarkosyl solubility of Tau --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Coexpression of GSK3β/Shaggy causes a minor alteration of Tau solubility properties --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Discussion --- p.78 / Chapter 3.4 --- Tau aggregate formation in transgenic fly / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Introduction --- p.79 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Results / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Tau aggregates are detected in aged transgenic flies --- p.80 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Discussion --- p.82 / Chapter 3.5 --- Effect of Lithium on GSK3p/Shaggy-induced wing deformation / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Introduction --- p.83 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Results / Chapter 3.5.2.1 --- Lithium rescues GSK3β/Shaggy-induced wing deformation --- p.84 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Discussion --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- General discussion --- p.87 / References --- p.92

by Yao Hong-Bing. / "January 2002." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-135). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

<p>Prostasomes are extracellularly occurring submicron, membrane-surrounded organelles produced by the epithelial cells of the prostate and present in semen. Their precise physiological role is not known, although some of their properties assign them to important physiological and patho-physiological functions. In this thesis, some new properties of seminal and malignant cell line (DU145, PC-3 and LNCaP) prostasomes have been identified. </p><p>Differences in the expressions and activities of prostasomal CD59, ATPase, protein kinases and tissue factor (TF) have been characterized. The transfer of prostasomal CD59 to CD59-deficient erythrocytes (rabbit and human PNH erythrocytes) has been established. CD59, protein kinases and TF were overexpressed by malignant cell prostasomes. ATPase activity was highest on seminal prostasomes with minimal expression by malignant cell prostasomes resulting in more residual ATP available for phosphorylation reactions. Several proteins were phosphorylated by prostasomal protein kinases, <i>viz.</i> complement component C3, fibrinogen, vitronectin and E-cadherin. Furthermore, TF was identified as the main endogenous phosphorylation substrate on prostasomes. In addition, prothrombotic effects of prostasomes were established. DU145 and PC-3-derived prostasomes exerted a higher clotting effect on whole blood and plasma compared to LNCaP and seminal prostasomes.</p><p>In conclusion, malignant cell prostasomes showed higher ability to interact with the biological system in favor of prostate cancer cell promotion and survival. The roles played by prostasomes in this context may improve the understanding of the mechanisms that help the prostate cancer cells to avoid the complement attack (CD59 transfer and phosphorylation of C3), to promote angiogenesis (TF) and to metastasize. It may also provide a better understanding of some of the complications usually seen in some terminal prostate cancer patients like thrombotic events and tendency to develop disseminated intravascular coagulation.</p>

Prostasomes are extracellularly occurring submicron, membrane-surrounded organelles produced by the epithelial cells of the prostate and present in semen. Their precise physiological role is not known, although some of their properties assign them to important physiological and patho-physiological functions. In this thesis, some new properties of seminal and malignant cell line (DU145, PC-3 and LNCaP) prostasomes have been identified. Differences in the expressions and activities of prostasomal CD59, ATPase, protein kinases and tissue factor (TF) have been characterized. The transfer of prostasomal CD59 to CD59-deficient erythrocytes (rabbit and human PNH erythrocytes) has been established. CD59, protein kinases and TF were overexpressed by malignant cell prostasomes. ATPase activity was highest on seminal prostasomes with minimal expression by malignant cell prostasomes resulting in more residual ATP available for phosphorylation reactions. Several proteins were phosphorylated by prostasomal protein kinases, viz. complement component C3, fibrinogen, vitronectin and E-cadherin. Furthermore, TF was identified as the main endogenous phosphorylation substrate on prostasomes. In addition, prothrombotic effects of prostasomes were established. DU145 and PC-3-derived prostasomes exerted a higher clotting effect on whole blood and plasma compared to LNCaP and seminal prostasomes. In conclusion, malignant cell prostasomes showed higher ability to interact with the biological system in favor of prostate cancer cell promotion and survival. The roles played by prostasomes in this context may improve the understanding of the mechanisms that help the prostate cancer cells to avoid the complement attack (CD59 transfer and phosphorylation of C3), to promote angiogenesis (TF) and to metastasize. It may also provide a better understanding of some of the complications usually seen in some terminal prostate cancer patients like thrombotic events and tendency to develop disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-135).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-205). Also available on the Internet.