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O câncer colorretal (CCR) é a segunda de causa morte relacionada ao câncer, com aproximadamente 500.000 mortes por ano em países desenvolvidos. Os pacientes com doença localmente avançada ou metastática possuem um prognóstico ruim e, desta forma, a detecção precoce é necessária para reduzir a alta mortalidade associada à essa doença. Ainda, os métodos de rastreamento utilizados no momento apresentam boa exatidão, porém são de alto custo, consomem muito tempo e são incômodos para os pacientes. A colonoscopia é o método mais comumente utilizado para a detecção de CCR. Entretanto, apresentam duas limitações importantes: i) necessidade da luz intestinal estar limpa, sem resíduos fecais, o que só é conseguido após um preparo rigoroso, com dieta e laxativos, nos dias que antecedem a realização do exame, e, ii) é examinador-dependente, ou seja, dependem da experiência do profissional em localizar as alterações anatômicas, e ainda da habilidade em selecionar o melhor local para a realização da biópsia. Portanto, o desenvolvimento de um método rápido e sensível para o diagnóstico do câncer colorretal é extremamente importante.<br /> A proposta desta dissertação foi desenvolver um método eficaz para o preparo dos tecidos parafinizados e extração de proteínas para experimentos em eletroforese bidimensional (2DE). Tecidos fixados em formaldeído e embebidos em parafina apresentam como vantagens a preservação da qualidade morfológica, abundância e facilidade de armazenamento, o que permite estudos futuros. Entretanto, para análises proteômicas, a recuperação do material biológico é ineficiente. A partir deste estudo, 156 proteínas foram obtidas de tecidos parafinizados, sendo possível identificar por espectrometria de massas, levando a estudos posteriores para identificação de possíveis biomarcadores relacionados ao CCR. / Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer-related death, with approximately 500,000 deaths per year in developed countries. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease have a poor prognosis and, thus, early detection is needed to reduce the high mortality associated with this disease. Yet, the screening methods used at the time have good accuracy, but are expensive, time consuming and are uncomfortable for patients. Colonoscopy is the most commonly used method for the detection of CRC. However, present two major limitations: i) the need to be clean intestinal lumen without fecal waste, which is achieved only after rigorous preparation with laxatives and diet, in the days before the exam, and ii) it is examiner-dependent, i.e., depends on the professional\'s experience in locating anatomical changes, and even the ability to select the best site for biopsy. Therefore, the development of a rapid and sensitive method for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is extremely important. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop an effective method for the preparation of tissues and protein extraction experiments for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). Tissues fixed in formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin have the advantage of preserving the morphological quality, abundance and storage facility, which allows for further studies. However, for proteomic analysis, the recovery of biological material is inefficient. From this study, 156 proteins were obtained from paraffinized tissues, and can be identified by mass spectrometry, leading to further studies to identify potential biomarkers related to CCR.

A VDAC é a proteína mais abundante da membrana mitocondrial externa. Possui diversas funções, tais como o controle da troca de metabólitos, através da membrana, e a participação no maquinário apoptótico. Estudamos o interactoma da VDAC com as proteínas mitocondriais neuronais do cérebro bovino e murino, a fim de compreender se a expressão diferenciada da VDAC1 e VDAC2 verificada entre essas células estão associadas às diferenças nas interações da VDAC. Os complexos proteicos foram analisados por 2D Blue Native SDS-PAGE e identificados via MALDI-TOF TOF usando o software Mascot e o banco de dados NCBInr. Foram identificados 27 e 46 spots em murino e bovino, respectivamente. Nós identificamos proteínas solúveis e incorporadas na membrana que não são participantes da fosforilação oxidativa, dentre elas a aldeido deidrogenase e muitas outras constituintes de complexos mitocondriais já conhecidos tão bem como novos, tais como a putative stomatin-like protein 2 complex e a switch-associated protein 70. Nossos resultados mostraram que os neurônios bovinos possuem mais complexos (5) contendo a VDAC do que em ratos (1), os quais indicam uma cinética diferencial de acoplamento e desacoplamento. Interessantemente, a lista contendo as proteínas identificadas inclui algumas proteínas conhecidas ou supostamente localizadas em compartimentos não-mitocondriais, por exemplo, a myc-induced nuclear antigen. O interactoma diferencial da VDAC entre as espécies bovina e murina, evidencia a presença de uma base comum, porém com diferentes ambientes estruturais, as quais podem ser a base da diferença entre os sítios de ligação A e B observados nas diferentes espécies. / The voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) is the most abundant protein of outer mitochondrial membrane. VDAC controls metabolite exchange through this membrane and the apoptosis machinery. We studied the interactome of VDAC with mitochondrial proteins of neuronal cells from rat and bovine brain. We wished to understand if the differential expression of VDAC1 and VDAC2 verified between these cells was linked to differences in the VDAC interactions. Protein complexes were analyzed by 2D Blue Native SDS-PAGE and were identified by MALDI-TOF TOF using Mascot software against the NCBInr database. Number of 27 e 46 spots were identified from rat and bovine brain, respectively. We identified soluble and membrane-embedded non-OXPHOS proteins, among them aldehyde dehydrogenase, and many as constituents of known mitochondrial complexes as well as novel ones such as putative stomatin-like protein 2 complex and switchassociated protein 70. Our results showed that bovine neurons had more protein complexes (5) containing VDAC than rat cells (1), which indicates a differential kinetics of assembly or disassembly. Interestingly, the identification list included some proteins known or presumed to be localized to nonmitochondrial compartments, for example, myc-induced nuclear antigen. Our results support evidences of differential apoptotic and energetic mechanisms verified in these brains. The differential VDAC interactome between bovine and murine, support evidences of a common base, but whith different structural environment, which may be the basis of the difference between the binding sites A and B observed in these brains.

O câncer colorretal (CCR) é a segunda de causa morte relacionada ao câncer, com aproximadamente 500.000 mortes por ano em países desenvolvidos. Os pacientes com doença localmente avançada ou metastática possuem um prognóstico ruim e, desta forma, a detecção precoce é necessária para reduzir a alta mortalidade associada à essa doença. Ainda, os métodos de rastreamento utilizados no momento apresentam boa exatidão, porém são de alto custo, consomem muito tempo e são incômodos para os pacientes. A colonoscopia é o método mais comumente utilizado para a detecção de CCR. Entretanto, apresentam duas limitações importantes: i) necessidade da luz intestinal estar limpa, sem resíduos fecais, o que só é conseguido após um preparo rigoroso, com dieta e laxativos, nos dias que antecedem a realização do exame, e, ii) é examinador-dependente, ou seja, dependem da experiência do profissional em localizar as alterações anatômicas, e ainda da habilidade em selecionar o melhor local para a realização da biópsia. Portanto, o desenvolvimento de um método rápido e sensível para o diagnóstico do câncer colorretal é extremamente importante.<br /> A proposta desta dissertação foi desenvolver um método eficaz para o preparo dos tecidos parafinizados e extração de proteínas para experimentos em eletroforese bidimensional (2DE). Tecidos fixados em formaldeído e embebidos em parafina apresentam como vantagens a preservação da qualidade morfológica, abundância e facilidade de armazenamento, o que permite estudos futuros. Entretanto, para análises proteômicas, a recuperação do material biológico é ineficiente. A partir deste estudo, 156 proteínas foram obtidas de tecidos parafinizados, sendo possível identificar por espectrometria de massas, levando a estudos posteriores para identificação de possíveis biomarcadores relacionados ao CCR. / Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer-related death, with approximately 500,000 deaths per year in developed countries. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease have a poor prognosis and, thus, early detection is needed to reduce the high mortality associated with this disease. Yet, the screening methods used at the time have good accuracy, but are expensive, time consuming and are uncomfortable for patients. Colonoscopy is the most commonly used method for the detection of CRC. However, present two major limitations: i) the need to be clean intestinal lumen without fecal waste, which is achieved only after rigorous preparation with laxatives and diet, in the days before the exam, and ii) it is examiner-dependent, i.e., depends on the professional\'s experience in locating anatomical changes, and even the ability to select the best site for biopsy. Therefore, the development of a rapid and sensitive method for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is extremely important. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop an effective method for the preparation of tissues and protein extraction experiments for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). Tissues fixed in formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin have the advantage of preserving the morphological quality, abundance and storage facility, which allows for further studies. However, for proteomic analysis, the recovery of biological material is inefficient. From this study, 156 proteins were obtained from paraffinized tissues, and can be identified by mass spectrometry, leading to further studies to identify potential biomarkers related to CCR.

A VDAC é a proteína mais abundante da membrana mitocondrial externa. Possui diversas funções, tais como o controle da troca de metabólitos, através da membrana, e a participação no maquinário apoptótico. Estudamos o interactoma da VDAC com as proteínas mitocondriais neuronais do cérebro bovino e murino, a fim de compreender se a expressão diferenciada da VDAC1 e VDAC2 verificada entre essas células estão associadas às diferenças nas interações da VDAC. Os complexos proteicos foram analisados por 2D Blue Native SDS-PAGE e identificados via MALDI-TOF TOF usando o software Mascot e o banco de dados NCBInr. Foram identificados 27 e 46 spots em murino e bovino, respectivamente. Nós identificamos proteínas solúveis e incorporadas na membrana que não são participantes da fosforilação oxidativa, dentre elas a aldeido deidrogenase e muitas outras constituintes de complexos mitocondriais já conhecidos tão bem como novos, tais como a putative stomatin-like protein 2 complex e a switch-associated protein 70. Nossos resultados mostraram que os neurônios bovinos possuem mais complexos (5) contendo a VDAC do que em ratos (1), os quais indicam uma cinética diferencial de acoplamento e desacoplamento. Interessantemente, a lista contendo as proteínas identificadas inclui algumas proteínas conhecidas ou supostamente localizadas em compartimentos não-mitocondriais, por exemplo, a myc-induced nuclear antigen. O interactoma diferencial da VDAC entre as espécies bovina e murina, evidencia a presença de uma base comum, porém com diferentes ambientes estruturais, as quais podem ser a base da diferença entre os sítios de ligação A e B observados nas diferentes espécies. / The voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) is the most abundant protein of outer mitochondrial membrane. VDAC controls metabolite exchange through this membrane and the apoptosis machinery. We studied the interactome of VDAC with mitochondrial proteins of neuronal cells from rat and bovine brain. We wished to understand if the differential expression of VDAC1 and VDAC2 verified between these cells was linked to differences in the VDAC interactions. Protein complexes were analyzed by 2D Blue Native SDS-PAGE and were identified by MALDI-TOF TOF using Mascot software against the NCBInr database. Number of 27 e 46 spots were identified from rat and bovine brain, respectively. We identified soluble and membrane-embedded non-OXPHOS proteins, among them aldehyde dehydrogenase, and many as constituents of known mitochondrial complexes as well as novel ones such as putative stomatin-like protein 2 complex and switchassociated protein 70. Our results showed that bovine neurons had more protein complexes (5) containing VDAC than rat cells (1), which indicates a differential kinetics of assembly or disassembly. Interestingly, the identification list included some proteins known or presumed to be localized to nonmitochondrial compartments, for example, myc-induced nuclear antigen. Our results support evidences of differential apoptotic and energetic mechanisms verified in these brains. The differential VDAC interactome between bovine and murine, support evidences of a common base, but whith different structural environment, which may be the basis of the difference between the binding sites A and B observed in these brains.

Bactéria e fungos são as principais fontes de enzimas envolvidas na transformação de compostos chave para o fluxo de carbono em solos de manguezal, caracterizado por alta prevalência de anaerobiose, salinidade e elevado teor de matéria orgânica. A decomposição de plantas ou resíduos de animais nestas condições é muito lenta, devido à pressão seletiva sobre a evolução de enzimas envolvidas nos processos de mineralização de nutrientes. A metagenômica, permiti o acesso a grande maioria da diversidade microbiana no ambiente, por meio da geração de bibliotecas de clones, o que resulta em um cenário promissor para bioprospecção de novas atividades enzimáticas. Neste estudo, foi relatada a descrição e caracterização de uma nova ?-N-acetil-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) da família GH3, envolvida na degradação da matéria orgânica em solo de manguezal contaminado por derramamento de óleo localizado no município de Bertioga-SP, por meio de uma triagem de 12.960 clones metagenômicos. O clone positivo para a atividade celulolítica foi sequenciado e um total de 1.175.586 reads foram gerados com tamanho médio de 198 pb. As sequencias foram trimadas com base na qualidade de índice PHRED >= 30.0, e remoção de sequencias do hospedeiro (E. coli) e do vetor (fosmídeo), originando um contig final com 39.586 Kb. Entre as ORF\'s anotadas a partir do contig gerado, uma sequencia de 1.065 nucleotídeos foi identificada como codificante para a enzima ?-N-acetil-hexosaminidase, evidenciando baixa similaridade (32 %) com as demais encontradas no bancos de dados comparativos. A enzima foi expressa e purificada, onde uma banda isolada foi visualizada por SDS-PAGE com massa molecular prevista de 43 kDa. Por fim, as atividades ótimas da enzima (30 °C; pH 5.0; 0.5 M de NaCl; diminuição de atividade após 3hs de incubação) foram caracterizadas por meio do indicador p-nitrophenol (pNP) ligados aos substratos GlNac, GalNac e Glc. A detecção da enzima por meio da metagenômica, evidenciou que os manguezais são reservatórios de novas enzimas com características diferenciadas e altos potenciais de aplicabilidades biotecnológicas / Bacteria and fungi are major sources of enzymes involved in the transformation of key compounds for the carbon fluxes on mangrove soils, characterized by the high prevalence of anaerobiosis salinity and high content of organic matter. The decomposition of plant or animals residues under these conditions is very slow, acting as a selective pressure on the evolution of enzymes involved in the mineralization process of nutrients. Metagenomics has provided access to the vast majority of the microbial diversity in the environment through the generation of fosmid libraries, resulting in a promising scenario for bioprospection enzymatic activities. In this study, we report the description and characterization of a novel ?-N-acetylhexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) of GH3 family, involved in the degradation of organic matter in mangrove soils contaminated by oil spill located in the city of Bertioga-SP through of a screening of 12.960 metagenomic clones. The positive clone for cellulolytic activitie was sequenced and a total of 1.175.586 reads were generated with measuring size 198 bp. The sequences were trimmed based on the index of quality PHRED >= 30.0 and removing the sequences to host (E. coli) and vector (fosmid) resulting in a contig of 39.586 Kb. Between the anoted ORF\'s from generated contig a sequence of 1.065 nucleotides was identified coding for a ?-N-acetylhexosaminidase showing low similatrity (32 %) with the other found in comparatives databases. The enzyme was expressed and purified where an isolated band can be visualized by SDS-PAGE with molecular mass of 43 kDa. Finally, as optimum activity of the enzyme (30 °C; pH 5.0; 0.5M NaCl; decreased activity after 3 h incubation) were characterized by the indicator p-nitrophenol (pNP) linked to the substrates GlNac, GalNac and Glc. The detection of the enzyme through metagenomics indicated that mangroves are reservoirs of novel enzymes with different characteristics and high potential for biotechnological applicability

Bactéria e fungos são as principais fontes de enzimas envolvidas na transformação de compostos chave para o fluxo de carbono em solos de manguezal, caracterizado por alta prevalência de anaerobiose, salinidade e elevado teor de matéria orgânica. A decomposição de plantas ou resíduos de animais nestas condições é muito lenta, devido à pressão seletiva sobre a evolução de enzimas envolvidas nos processos de mineralização de nutrientes. A metagenômica, permiti o acesso a grande maioria da diversidade microbiana no ambiente, por meio da geração de bibliotecas de clones, o que resulta em um cenário promissor para bioprospecção de novas atividades enzimáticas. Neste estudo, foi relatada a descrição e caracterização de uma nova ?-N-acetil-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) da família GH3, envolvida na degradação da matéria orgânica em solo de manguezal contaminado por derramamento de óleo localizado no município de Bertioga-SP, por meio de uma triagem de 12.960 clones metagenômicos. O clone positivo para a atividade celulolítica foi sequenciado e um total de 1.175.586 reads foram gerados com tamanho médio de 198 pb. As sequencias foram trimadas com base na qualidade de índice PHRED >= 30.0, e remoção de sequencias do hospedeiro (E. coli) e do vetor (fosmídeo), originando um contig final com 39.586 Kb. Entre as ORF\'s anotadas a partir do contig gerado, uma sequencia de 1.065 nucleotídeos foi identificada como codificante para a enzima ?-N-acetil-hexosaminidase, evidenciando baixa similaridade (32 %) com as demais encontradas no bancos de dados comparativos. A enzima foi expressa e purificada, onde uma banda isolada foi visualizada por SDS-PAGE com massa molecular prevista de 43 kDa. Por fim, as atividades ótimas da enzima (30 °C; pH 5.0; 0.5 M de NaCl; diminuição de atividade após 3hs de incubação) foram caracterizadas por meio do indicador p-nitrophenol (pNP) ligados aos substratos GlNac, GalNac e Glc. A detecção da enzima por meio da metagenômica, evidenciou que os manguezais são reservatórios de novas enzimas com características diferenciadas e altos potenciais de aplicabilidades biotecnológicas / Bacteria and fungi are major sources of enzymes involved in the transformation of key compounds for the carbon fluxes on mangrove soils, characterized by the high prevalence of anaerobiosis salinity and high content of organic matter. The decomposition of plant or animals residues under these conditions is very slow, acting as a selective pressure on the evolution of enzymes involved in the mineralization process of nutrients. Metagenomics has provided access to the vast majority of the microbial diversity in the environment through the generation of fosmid libraries, resulting in a promising scenario for bioprospection enzymatic activities. In this study, we report the description and characterization of a novel ?-N-acetylhexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) of GH3 family, involved in the degradation of organic matter in mangrove soils contaminated by oil spill located in the city of Bertioga-SP through of a screening of 12.960 metagenomic clones. The positive clone for cellulolytic activitie was sequenced and a total of 1.175.586 reads were generated with measuring size 198 bp. The sequences were trimmed based on the index of quality PHRED >= 30.0 and removing the sequences to host (E. coli) and vector (fosmid) resulting in a contig of 39.586 Kb. Between the anoted ORF\'s from generated contig a sequence of 1.065 nucleotides was identified coding for a ?-N-acetylhexosaminidase showing low similatrity (32 %) with the other found in comparatives databases. The enzyme was expressed and purified where an isolated band can be visualized by SDS-PAGE with molecular mass of 43 kDa. Finally, as optimum activity of the enzyme (30 °C; pH 5.0; 0.5M NaCl; decreased activity after 3 h incubation) were characterized by the indicator p-nitrophenol (pNP) linked to the substrates GlNac, GalNac and Glc. The detection of the enzyme through metagenomics indicated that mangroves are reservoirs of novel enzymes with different characteristics and high potential for biotechnological applicability

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

The study of benthic community structure and protein expression pattern of four benthic species in effluent areas of sewage treatment plants in Kaohsiung, Taiwan Dwi Candra Pratiwi Advisor: Dr. Li-Lian Liu Institute of Marine Biology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C. Abstract In order to gain better understanding on the impacts of sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent on marine environment, the present study was undertaken to investigate the structure of benthic community and protein expression patterns of 4 benthic species in STP effluent areas in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Six sites were selected, 3 near Jhong Jhou STP, 2 near NSYSU STP and one reference site. Samples were collected in December 2009 (winter) and July 2010 (summer) by bottom trawling. In winter, temperature was 26.8oC; salinity and pH were 32. 2‰ and 8.1. In summer, environmental data were 33.7oC, 31.5‰ and 8.0, respectively. In all, 5 phyla, 31 families and 48 different species were captured in two seasons. Proteomic approach by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) was conducted on 3 fishes, Leiognathus splendens, Apogon fasciatus, Engyprosopon multisquama, and one crab Portunus hastatoides. Environment characteristics and structure of benthic community had no significant difference among the 6 sampling sites. Protein expression patterns based on the four examined species also indicated no significant difference among sites. The complexity of pollutants in Kaohsiung Harbor is probably the main reason affecting all sampling sites. In other words, contaminated area in Kaohsiung Harbor may cover a wide range, at least III over the present sampling distance, i.e. 8km which causes no difference in community structure and protein expression pattern among control, Jhong Jhou STP and NSYSU STP sites. Key words: 1D SDS-PAGE, Leiognathus splendens, Apogon fasciatus, Engyprosopon multisquama, Portunus hastatoides

The main objective of the study was to understand the mode of interaction of protamine (Ptm), a cationic antibacterial peptide from fish milt on the Gram negative bacterial envelope. The present study was designed to resolve the question of Ptm translocation across the seemingly impermeable Gram negative cell envelope. The Gram negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied as an example of a microorganism that is Ptm-sensitive but doesn’t lyse even at bactericidal concentrations. Acquired resistance to Ptm was induced in P. aeruginosa by continuous sub-culturing in nutrient rich media containing increasing concentrations of Ptm. Alterations in bacterial surface charge, LPS composition, cell morphology and Ptm localisation on acquiring resistance were also examined. Expression of outer membrane proteins significantly decreased as P. aeruginosa acquired resistance to Ptm. OprF, the major porin in P. aeruginosa was found to be stably expressed in control, revertant (Ptm-Rev) and resistant (Ptm-Res) groups. No change in expression of efflux proteins was observed as a result of induced Ptm resistance, indicating that efflux is not among the Ptm resistance mechanisms at least in P. aeruginosa. OprM, which is part of the major efflux system (MexAB-OprM) in P. aeruginosa, was found to be down-regulated in Ptm-resistant P. aeruginosa. Another outer membrane protein down-regulated in Ptm-resistant P. aeruginosa was found to be petidyl-prolyl cis trans isomerase (PPIase) which plays a major role in proper folding and maturation of channel proteins in the outer membrane. Among the sarcosinate soluble proteins, DNA dependent RNA polymerase ? and ?’ subunits were found to be down-regulated in Ptm-resistant group indicating lower transcription levels in them. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the three groups of P. aeruginosa under study was isolated and separated by SDS-PAGE. LPS composition of Ptm-Res P. aeruginosa was found to be significantly different from that of the control and Ptm-Rev but was found to be similar with that of LPS from O-antigenic mutant (A+B-, which possessed only A band structures). Comparison of the zetapotential of control, Ptm-Rev and Ptm-Res P. aeruginosa, proved that electrostatic shielding was coincidental in acquired resistance to Ptm in P. aeruginosa. The MIC of the parent strain of P. aeruginosa (A+B+) and the O-antigenic mutants (A+B-, A-B+ and A-B-) were found to be the same which may be indicating that alterations in O-antigenic components alone cannot contribute to Ptm resistance. Effects of Ptm treatment on morphologies of E. coli, S. typhimurium and P. aeruginosa whole cells and spheroplasts were also studied using transmission immuno-electron microscopy. Condensation of cytoplasmic contents was observed when whole cells and spheroplasts were treated with Ptm. Also, Ptm-treated cells and spheroplasts were stained with colloidal gold-labelled antibodies against Ptm to determine distribution within the target cells. It was quite evident that Ptm internalised in whole cells and spheroplasts without lysis and was found to be concentrated in the cytoplasm. Morphological changes observed in Ptm-Rev P. aeruginosa when exposed to Ptm were comparable with that of the control. Condensation of cytoplasmic contents was not observed in Ptm-Res P. aeruginosa when challenged with Ptm. Most of the Ptm was localized at or near the outer membrane of Ptm-treated Ptm-Res P. aeruginosa, indicating decreased outer membrane permeability. Results obtained from these experiments confirm that the resistance to Ptm observed in P. aeruginosa is at the very least, coincidental with the pleiotropic mutations involving change in outer surface including change in LPS composition, loss of porins and or alterations of porin size in OprF.