Os distúrbios na regulação da concentração de cálcio (Ca2+) citoplasmático contribuem para a patogênese da hipertensão arterial. Evidências sugerem que as moléculas de interação estromal (STIM) atuam como sensores dos estoques intracelulares de Ca2+, enquanto as proteínas Orai representam as subunidades que formam os canais de Ca2+ ativados pela liberação de Ca2+ (CRAC). Neste estudo avaliamos a participação de STIM1/Orai1 na regulação das concentrações de Ca2+ citoplasmático e na ativação da contração vascular em aortas de ratos hipertensos. Nossos resultados sugerem que a ativação de STIM1/Orai1 pode representar um novo mecanismo que modula alterações vasculares nos níveis de Ca2+ intracelular na hipertensão arterial e que contribui para as diferenças sexuais de reatividade vascular em animais hipertensos. / Disturbance in the regulation of cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) concentration contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Evidences suggest that the stromal interaction molecule (STIM) acts as a sensor of intracellular Ca2+ stores, whereas Orai proteins are the subunits that form CRAC channels. In this study, we evaluated the role of STIM1/Orai1 in the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations and in the activation of contraction in aortas from hypertensive rats. We also studied how the differential activation of this pathway contributes to sex differences observed between hypertensive rats, as well as the protective effects of the female sex hormones in the vasculature. Our results suggest that activation of STIM1/Orai1 may represent a new mechanism that modulates intracellular Ca2+ concentration during hypertension and contributes to sex differences in the vascular reactivity of hypertensive animals.

A O-glicosilação com N-acetil-glucosamina (O-GlcNAc) é uma modificação pós-translacional altamente dinâmica que modula diversas vias de sinalização. O processo de O-GlcNAc é controlado por duas enzimas: a enzima OGT é responsável por catalisar a adição de N-acetil-glucosamina no grupo hidroxila dos resíduos de serina e treonina, enquanto a OGA catalisa a remoção de O-GlcNAc das proteínas modificadas. Proteínas com importante papel na função vascular são alvo de O-GlcNAc e o aumento da expressão de proteínas modificadas por O-GlcNAc promove aumento da reatividade vascular para estímulos contráteis. Um dos mecanismos de extrema importância no controle do tônus vascular está ligado à regulação da concentração de cálcio (Ca2+) intracelular, onde destacamos a participação do sistema STIM1/Orai1. As moléculas de interação estromal (STIM) atuam como sensores dos estoques intracelulares de Ca2+ e as proteínas Orai representam as subunidades que formam os canais de Ca2+ ativados pela liberação de Ca2+ (CRAC). Neste estudo investigamos a hipótese de que o aumento dos níveis vasculares de proteínas glicosiladas aumenta a resposta contrátil em aorta de ratos, por mecanismos relacionados ao controle da concentração intracelular de Ca2+.Em nossos experimentos, utilizamos aortas torácicas de ratos incubadas com PugNAc (inibidor seletivo da OGA, ), por 24h. Utilizando protocolo experimental que permite avaliar contrações induzidas pelo influxo de Ca2+ e liberação de Ca2+ intracelular, demonstramos que a incubação com PugNAc aumentou a resposta contrátil à PE bem como a contração durante o período de influxo de Ca2+, induzida pela reintrodução de solução fisiológica contendo Ca2+ (1,56 mM). O bloqueio dos canais CRAC com 2-APB (100 ) e gadolíneo (Gd3+, 100 ) diminuiu significativamente as contrações induzidas pelo influxo de Ca2+ em aortas incubadas com PugNAc. Além disso, estas aortas apresentaram aumento da expressão protéica de STIM1, o que resultaria em maior influxo de Ca2+. A contração induzida por cafeína (20 mM) e serotonina (10 ), a qual reflete a capacidade funcional do retículo sarcoplasmático (RS) em captar Ca2+, foi maior em aortas incubadas com PugNAc. O papel da Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) foi avaliado com a utilização de tapsigargina, bloqueador da SERCA. O efeito da tapsigargina foi semelhante em artérias incubadas com PugNAc e veículo, apesar do aumento de expressão proteica da SERCA em aortas incubadas com PugNAc. Como a proteína cinase C (PKC) é ativada por aumentos de Ca2+ intracelular, determinamos se a atividade de proteínas alvo da PKC estavam aumentadas. A incubação com PugNAc aumentou a expressão das formas fosforiladas da CPI-17, MYPT-1 e MLC. Em conjunto, estes resultados sugerem que a ativação de STIM1/Orai1, aumento da liberação de Ca2+ intracelular e ativação da via de sinalização da PKC podem representar mecanismos que modulam as alterações vasculares em resposta ao aumento de proteínas glicosiladas por O-GlcNAc. / Glycosylation with O-linked -N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a highly dynamic post-translational modification. The process of O-GlcNAc is controlled by two enzymes: the OGT enzyme catalyses the addition of N-acetyl-glucosamine to the hydroxyl group of serine and threonine residues of a target protein, while OGA catalyzes the cleavage of O-GlcNAc from post-translationally-modified proteins. Proteins with an important role in vascular function are targets of O-GlcNAc and increased levels of proteins modified by O-GlcNAc increase vascular reactivity to contractile stimuli. The regulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration, including the activation of STIM1/Orai1, is key in the control of vascular tone. The stromal interaction molecules (STIM) act as sensors of intracellular Ca2+ stores whereas the Orai proteins represent subunits of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels (CRAC). We hypothesized that increased levels of vascular O-GlcNAc proteins augment vascular contractile responses by altering mechanisms that regulate the intracellular Ca2+. Rat thoracic aortas were incubated with PugNAc (OGA selective inhibitor, ) for 24h. Using an experimental protocol that evaluates contractions induced by Ca2+ influx and release, we demonstrated that incubation with PugNAc increases contractile responses to phenylephrine (PE) as well as the contraction induced by Ca2+ influx, after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. The CRAC channel blockers, 2-APB (100 ) and gadolinium (Gd3+, 100 ), significantly reduced the contractions induced by Ca2+ influx in aortas incubated with PugNAc. Furthermore, these aortas showed increased STIM1 protein expression, which could result in increased influx of Ca2+ and, in turn, increase vascular contraction. The contraction induced by the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores, stimulated by caffeine (20 mM) and serotonin (10 ), was increased in aortas incubated with PugNAc. The Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor thapsigargin produced similar effects in arteries incubated with PugNAc or vehicle, despite the increased SERCA protein expression in aortas incubated with PugNAc. Since PKC is activated by increases in intracellular Ca2+ and arteries incubated with PugNAc show activation of PKC, we determined whether the activity of proteins that are targets of PKC was increased in PugNAc-treated aortas. Incubation with PugNAc increased the expression of phosphorylated forms of CPI-17, MYPT-1 and MLC. Together, these results suggest that activation of STIM1/Orai1, increased release of intracellular Ca2+ and PKC activation may represent mechanisms that modulate vascular responses upon increased O-GlcNAc proteins.

La myopathie à agrégats tubulaires (TAM) est une maladie génétique qui se caractérise par la présence d’agrégats tubulaires dans les biopsies musculaires de patients. Notre équipe a identifié pour la première fois des mutations dans STIM1 comme étant à l’origine de cette maladie. STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1) est le senseur calcique du réticulum sarco/endoplasmique (RE/RS). En effet, en cas de diminution du calcium (Ca2+) dans le RE/RS, STIM1 se déplie, oligomérise et migre à proximité de la membrane plasmique (MP) pour activer le canal calcique ORAI1 et permettre le remplissage des stocks. Ce mécanisme est le «store-operated Ca2+ entry» (SOCE). D’autres équipes ont rapporté une mutation dans STIM1 (p.R304W) conduisant à une TAM associée à d’autres symptômes, ou encore syndrome de Stormorken. Ainsi, ce travail a eu pour but d’étudier et de comparer l’impact des mutations TAM et Stormorken à différents niveaux du SOCE. Nous avons ainsi montré que les mutations TAM et Stormorken conduisent à une augmentation de l’expression de STIM1, à la formation de clusters constitutifs de STIM1 à proximité de la MP, ainsi qu’au recrutement du canal ORAI1 et à l’activation de la voie du NFAT, dépendante du Ca2+. / Tubular aggregate myopathy (TAM) is a genetic disorder characterized by tubular aggregates in muscle biopsies of patients. Our team identified for the first time mutations in STIM1 as causative of this disease. STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1) is the main calcium (Ca2+) sensor of the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR). Following Ca2+ depletion of the ER/SR, STIM1 unfolds, oligomerizes and migrates close to the plasma membrane (PM) to activate the Ca2+ channel ORAI1, leading to Ca2+ entry. This mechanism is the «store-operated Ca2+ entry» (SOCE). Several teams report a mutation in STIM1 (p.R304W) leading to TAM associated with other symptoms, described as Stormorken syndrome. Therefore, this work aims to assess and compare the impact of TAM and Stormorken mutations at different stages of the SOCE pathway. We show that TAM and Stormorken mutations lead to an increase expression of the protein, a constitutive STIM1 clustering near the PM, to ORAI1 constitutive recruitment and to the activation of a Ca2+ -dependent pathway: the NFAT pathway.

A O-glicosilação com N-acetil-glucosamina (O-GlcNAc) é uma modificação pós-translacional altamente dinâmica que modula diversas vias de sinalização. O processo de O-GlcNAc é controlado por duas enzimas: a enzima OGT é responsável por catalisar a adição de N-acetil-glucosamina no grupo hidroxila dos resíduos de serina e treonina, enquanto a OGA catalisa a remoção de O-GlcNAc das proteínas modificadas. Proteínas com importante papel na função vascular são alvo de O-GlcNAc e o aumento da expressão de proteínas modificadas por O-GlcNAc promove aumento da reatividade vascular para estímulos contráteis. Um dos mecanismos de extrema importância no controle do tônus vascular está ligado à regulação da concentração de cálcio (Ca2+) intracelular, onde destacamos a participação do sistema STIM1/Orai1. As moléculas de interação estromal (STIM) atuam como sensores dos estoques intracelulares de Ca2+ e as proteínas Orai representam as subunidades que formam os canais de Ca2+ ativados pela liberação de Ca2+ (CRAC). Neste estudo investigamos a hipótese de que o aumento dos níveis vasculares de proteínas glicosiladas aumenta a resposta contrátil em aorta de ratos, por mecanismos relacionados ao controle da concentração intracelular de Ca2+.Em nossos experimentos, utilizamos aortas torácicas de ratos incubadas com PugNAc (inibidor seletivo da OGA, ), por 24h. Utilizando protocolo experimental que permite avaliar contrações induzidas pelo influxo de Ca2+ e liberação de Ca2+ intracelular, demonstramos que a incubação com PugNAc aumentou a resposta contrátil à PE bem como a contração durante o período de influxo de Ca2+, induzida pela reintrodução de solução fisiológica contendo Ca2+ (1,56 mM). O bloqueio dos canais CRAC com 2-APB (100 ) e gadolíneo (Gd3+, 100 ) diminuiu significativamente as contrações induzidas pelo influxo de Ca2+ em aortas incubadas com PugNAc. Além disso, estas aortas apresentaram aumento da expressão protéica de STIM1, o que resultaria em maior influxo de Ca2+. A contração induzida por cafeína (20 mM) e serotonina (10 ), a qual reflete a capacidade funcional do retículo sarcoplasmático (RS) em captar Ca2+, foi maior em aortas incubadas com PugNAc. O papel da Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) foi avaliado com a utilização de tapsigargina, bloqueador da SERCA. O efeito da tapsigargina foi semelhante em artérias incubadas com PugNAc e veículo, apesar do aumento de expressão proteica da SERCA em aortas incubadas com PugNAc. Como a proteína cinase C (PKC) é ativada por aumentos de Ca2+ intracelular, determinamos se a atividade de proteínas alvo da PKC estavam aumentadas. A incubação com PugNAc aumentou a expressão das formas fosforiladas da CPI-17, MYPT-1 e MLC. Em conjunto, estes resultados sugerem que a ativação de STIM1/Orai1, aumento da liberação de Ca2+ intracelular e ativação da via de sinalização da PKC podem representar mecanismos que modulam as alterações vasculares em resposta ao aumento de proteínas glicosiladas por O-GlcNAc. / Glycosylation with O-linked -N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a highly dynamic post-translational modification. The process of O-GlcNAc is controlled by two enzymes: the OGT enzyme catalyses the addition of N-acetyl-glucosamine to the hydroxyl group of serine and threonine residues of a target protein, while OGA catalyzes the cleavage of O-GlcNAc from post-translationally-modified proteins. Proteins with an important role in vascular function are targets of O-GlcNAc and increased levels of proteins modified by O-GlcNAc increase vascular reactivity to contractile stimuli. The regulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration, including the activation of STIM1/Orai1, is key in the control of vascular tone. The stromal interaction molecules (STIM) act as sensors of intracellular Ca2+ stores whereas the Orai proteins represent subunits of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels (CRAC). We hypothesized that increased levels of vascular O-GlcNAc proteins augment vascular contractile responses by altering mechanisms that regulate the intracellular Ca2+. Rat thoracic aortas were incubated with PugNAc (OGA selective inhibitor, ) for 24h. Using an experimental protocol that evaluates contractions induced by Ca2+ influx and release, we demonstrated that incubation with PugNAc increases contractile responses to phenylephrine (PE) as well as the contraction induced by Ca2+ influx, after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. The CRAC channel blockers, 2-APB (100 ) and gadolinium (Gd3+, 100 ), significantly reduced the contractions induced by Ca2+ influx in aortas incubated with PugNAc. Furthermore, these aortas showed increased STIM1 protein expression, which could result in increased influx of Ca2+ and, in turn, increase vascular contraction. The contraction induced by the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores, stimulated by caffeine (20 mM) and serotonin (10 ), was increased in aortas incubated with PugNAc. The Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor thapsigargin produced similar effects in arteries incubated with PugNAc or vehicle, despite the increased SERCA protein expression in aortas incubated with PugNAc. Since PKC is activated by increases in intracellular Ca2+ and arteries incubated with PugNAc show activation of PKC, we determined whether the activity of proteins that are targets of PKC was increased in PugNAc-treated aortas. Incubation with PugNAc increased the expression of phosphorylated forms of CPI-17, MYPT-1 and MLC. Together, these results suggest that activation of STIM1/Orai1, increased release of intracellular Ca2+ and PKC activation may represent mechanisms that modulate vascular responses upon increased O-GlcNAc proteins.

Os distúrbios na regulação da concentração de cálcio (Ca2+) citoplasmático contribuem para a patogênese da hipertensão arterial. Evidências sugerem que as moléculas de interação estromal (STIM) atuam como sensores dos estoques intracelulares de Ca2+, enquanto as proteínas Orai representam as subunidades que formam os canais de Ca2+ ativados pela liberação de Ca2+ (CRAC). Neste estudo avaliamos a participação de STIM1/Orai1 na regulação das concentrações de Ca2+ citoplasmático e na ativação da contração vascular em aortas de ratos hipertensos. Nossos resultados sugerem que a ativação de STIM1/Orai1 pode representar um novo mecanismo que modula alterações vasculares nos níveis de Ca2+ intracelular na hipertensão arterial e que contribui para as diferenças sexuais de reatividade vascular em animais hipertensos. / Disturbance in the regulation of cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) concentration contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Evidences suggest that the stromal interaction molecule (STIM) acts as a sensor of intracellular Ca2+ stores, whereas Orai proteins are the subunits that form CRAC channels. In this study, we evaluated the role of STIM1/Orai1 in the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations and in the activation of contraction in aortas from hypertensive rats. We also studied how the differential activation of this pathway contributes to sex differences observed between hypertensive rats, as well as the protective effects of the female sex hormones in the vasculature. Our results suggest that activation of STIM1/Orai1 may represent a new mechanism that modulates intracellular Ca2+ concentration during hypertension and contributes to sex differences in the vascular reactivity of hypertensive animals.

La Leucémie Myéloïde Chronique (LMC) est une maladie clonale caractérisée par la présence du chromosome Philadelphie codant pour Bcr-Abl, une tyrosine kinase constitutivement active responsable de la leucémogenèse. Bien que très efficaces, les inhibiteurs de tyrosine kinase (ITKs) restent cependant inactifs sur les cellules souches leucémiques. Ce travail de thèse montre que la signalisation calcique, connue pour réguler de nombreux processus dans les cellules saines et cancéreuses, est importante dans la signalisation cellulaire au décours de la LMC. Le rôle des entrées calciques dépendantes des stocks (SOCEs) médiées par STIM1 (STromal Interaction Molecule 1) et les canaux Orai1 et TRPC1 ainsi que des entrées calciques induites par la thrombine a été étudié dans la leucémogenèse. Nous avons observé une diminution de ces entrées dans les cellules exprimant Bcr-Abl pouvant être expliquée par le changement de stœchiométrie Orai1/STIM1. Ceci entraîne la diminution de l'activation de NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells) ainsi que des conséquences sur la prolifération et la migration cellulaire mais pas sur l'apoptose. De plus, les SOCEs sont restaurées dans les cellules cancéreuses après traitement à l'Imatinib, le principal ITK. Nous proposons alors que l'expression de Bcr-Abl joue un rôle sur l'homéostasie calcique en entraînant une dérégulation générale des fonctions cellulaires dans les cellules leucémiques notamment via la voie PKC (Protein Kinase C). Ainsi, ces résultats montrent une dérégulation des entrées calciques dans les cellules exprimant Bcr-Abl, suggérant que la signalisation calcique puisse être une cible thérapeutique en parallèle avec les ITKs. / Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a clonal disease characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome encoding for Bcr-Abl, a constitutively active tyrosine kinase responsible for leukemogenesis. Although Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the therapy of Ph+ leukemia, the complete eradication of CML is limited by the emergence of resistance in hematopoietic stem cells. This thesis proposes that calcium (Ca2+) signaling pathways, known to govern a large number of functions in normal and cancer cells, may be important in CML cell signaling. Therefore, we studied the role of Store Operated-Calcium entry (SOCE) (i.e. STromal Interaction Molecule 1 (STIM1), Orai1 and TRPC1 channels) and thrombin induced Ca2+ entry in leukemogenesis. We found a decrease in both calcium entries in Bcr-Abl-expressing cells compared to normal cells. The reduced SOCE seems related to a change in stoichiometry of Orai1/STIM1. This leads to a reduction of the Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (NFAT) translocation and functional consequences on cell proliferation and migration but not on apoptosis. Moreover, we showed that SOCE is restored in malignant cells after treatment with Imatinib, the main TKI. We proposed that Bcr-Abl expression could impact on Ca2+ homeostasis enhancing a general disorganization of cell functions in leukemia cells notably via Protein Kinase C (PKC) pathway. Altogether this work shows a deregulation of Ca2+ entry in Bcr-Abl-expressing cells, suggesting that the Ca2+ signaling pathway could be a therapeutic target in parallel with TKIs.

Les lymphomes B non-Hodgkiniens (LNHB) représentent le type d’hémopathie maligne le plus fréquent. Ces pathologies sont traitées par l’association de chimiothérapies conventionnelles et d’immunothérapies dirigées contre le CD20. Bien qu’efficace, 40% des patients résistent ou rechutent après le traitement. Deux raisons peuvent expliquer ces échecs thérapeutiques : 1) l’absence de cibles thérapeutiques impliquées dans plusieurs processus oncogéniques et 2) l’absence de modèles pré-cliniques de LNHB pertinents pour le test de molécules thérapeutiques et la compréhension de la lymphomagenèse. Le calcium est un messager ubiquitaire qui est impliqué dans de nombreux processus cellulaires en condition physiologique et pathologique. La principale voie d’entrée de calcium dans les lymphocytes B est l’entrée capacitive de calcium médiée par Orai1 et STIM1. Ces deux protéines ont été largement décrites pour être impliquées dans les processus tumoraux de nombreux cancers, cependant leurs rôles dans la lymphomagenèse restait à élucider. Nos travaux ont révélé l'implication de la signalisation calcique dans la mort induite par le GA101, un anti CD20 de nouvelle génération actuellement en essai clinique. De plus, nous avons mis en évidence l’implication des protéines Orai1 et STIM1 dans la migration des cellules cancéreuses de LNHB. De manière intéressante, l’implication de ces deux protéines dans la migration cellulaire est calcium indépendante, suggérant donc un nouveau rôle de ces protéines. Enfin, grâce à la technologie des capsules cellulaires nous avons établi un nouveau modèle 3D de lymphome mimant la niche tumorale en incluant des cellules du microenvironnement et de la matrice extracellulaire. Ce modèle semble particulièrement pertinent pour le screening de molécules et la compréhension des mécanismes de la lymphomagenèse. Ce travail de thèse révèle ainsi le ciblage de Orai1 et STIM1 comme potentiellement intéressant dans le traitement du LNHB. / B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (BNHL) are the most common hematological malignancies, usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy and anti CD20 immunothérapie. However, 40% of patients are resistant or relapse after treatment. These therapeutic failures could be due to 1) lack of therapeutic targets implicated in several oncogenic processes, 2) lack of relevant preclinical BNHL models for drug screening and lymphomagenesis studies. Calcium is an essential second messenger involved in various cell functions. In B cells, calcium entry is mainly due to Orai1 and STIM1 proteins, both of which have been associated with oncogenesis on solid tumors. However, their role in lymphomagenesis still remains to be elucidated. Our work shows that calcium signaling in BNHL cells participates in cell death induced by GA101, a novel anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. We also demonstrate that Orai1 and STIM1 play a role in BNHL cell migration. Interestingly, both proteins controlled cell migration in a calcium-independent manner, suggesting a new role for these proteins. Finally, using cellular capsule technology, we established a new BNHL 3D model mimicking tumoral niche by including extracellular matrix and stromal cells. This new model could be used for drug screening and understanding lymphomagenesis. In summary, this work suggests that targeting of Orai1 and STIM1 is promising for BNHL treatment.

Les personnes en surcharge pondérale semblent préférer une alimentation riche en graisse. Face à l'épidémie d'obésité qui touche nos Sociétés tant urbaines que rurales, élucider les mécanismes de la détection des lipides alimentaires devient un enjeu majeur. Il avait précédemment été admis que la glycoprotéine CD36 exprimée dans les papilles caliciformes de souris, est impliquée dans la perception oro-gustative des lipides alimentaires. Dans ce travail, nous avons montré que l'acide linoléique (LA), en activant les phospholipases A2, sPLA2, cPLA2 et iPLA2 via CD36, produit de l'acide arachidonique (AA) et la lyso-phosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC). LA déclenche un influx calcique dans les cellules CD36-positives et induit la production du facteur CIF (Calcium Influx Factor). CIF, AA et lyso-PC exercent différentes actions sur l'ouverture des canaux SOC (Stored Operated Calcium Channel) constitués de protéines Orai et contrôlés par STIM1. Stim1 est un senseur calcique situé sur la membrane du réticulum endoplasmique activé par la déplétion du calcium intracellulaire. Nous avons utilisé la technologie siRNA et des modèles de souris transgéniques pour montrer que CIF et lyso-PC activent des canaux calciques homodimériques composés de protéines Orai1 tandis qu’AA active des canaux hétéro-pentamériques composés d’Orai1 et Orai3. Nous avons également montré que STIM1 régule la production de CIF dans les cellules stimulées par la thapsigargine et l’acide linoléique ainsi que l'ouverture de deux types de canaux calciques. Par ailleurs les souris au phénotype Stim1-/- perdent la préférence spontanée pour les lipides observé chez les animaux de type sauvage. D’un autre côté les cellules CD36-positive de souris Stim1-/- sont incapables de libérer la sérotonine dans l'environnement extracellulaire. Nos résultats suggèrent que des acides gras à longue chaine (AGLC) induisent la signalisation calcique régie par STIM1 via CD36. La perception oro-gustative des lipides alimentaires détermine la préférence spontanée pour les lipides observée chez les mammifères / The lipid-binding glycoprotein CD36, expressed by circumvallate papillae (CVP) of the mouse tongue, has been shown to be implicated in oro-gustatory perception of dietary lipids. We demonstrate that linoleic acid (LA) by activating sPLA2, cPLA2 and iPLA2 via CD36, produced arachidonic acid (AA) and lyso-phosphatidylcholine (Lyso-PC) which triggered Ca2+ influx in CD36-positive taste bud cells (TBC), purified from mouse CVP. LA induced the production of Ca2+ influx factor (CIF). CIF, AA and Lyso-PC exerted different actions on the opening of store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels, constituted of Orai proteins and regulated by STIM1, a sensor of Ca2+ depletion in the endoplasmic reticulum. We used siRNA technology and transgenic mice models and observed that CIF and Lyso-PC opened Orai1 channels whereas AA-opened Ca2+ channels were composed of Orai1/Orai3. STIM1 was found to regulate LA-induced CIF production and opening of both kinds of Ca2+ channels. Furthermore, Stim1–/– mice lost the spontaneous preference for fat, observed in wild-type animals. The CD36-positive TBC from Stim1–/– mice also failed to release serotonin into extracellular environment. Our results suggest that fatty acid-induced Ca2+ signaling, regulated by STIM1 via CD36, might be implicated in oro-gustatory perception of dietary lipids and the spontaneous preference for fat

Cholestasis is an important liver pathology. During cholestasis bile acids accumulate in the bile canaliculus affecting hepatocyte viability. The actions of bile acids require changes in the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and in Ca2+ entry. The target(s) of the Ca2+ entry pathway affected by bile acids is, however, not known. The overall objective of the work described in this thesis was to elucidate the target(s) and mechanism(s) of bile acids-induced modulation of hepatocytes calcium homeostasis. First, it was shown that a 12 h pre-incubation with cholestatic bile acids (to mimic cholestasis conditions) induced the inhibition of Ca2+ entry through store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCs), while the addition of choleretic bile acids to the incubation medium caused the reversible activation of Ca2+ entry through SOCs. Moreover, it was shown that incubation of liver cells with choleretic bile acids counteracts the inhibition of Ca2+ entry caused by pre-incubation with cholestatic bile acids. Thus, it was concluded that SOCs are the target of bile acids action in liver cells. Surprisingly, despite the effect of choleretic bile acids in activating SOCs, the Ca2+ dye fura-2 failed to detect choleretic bile acid-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. However, under the same conditions, when the sub-plasma membrane Ca2+ levels were measured using FFP-18 Ca2+ dye, choleretic bile acid induced a transient increase in FFP-18 fluorescence. This evidence suggested that choleretic bile acids-induced activation of Ca2+ entry through SOCs, involving the release of Ca2+ from a region of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) located in the vicinity of the plasma membrane.

Previous studies in Dr. Yang’s laboratory have established a grafting, design, and subdomain approach in order to investigate the properties behind Ca2+-binding sites located in Ca2+-binding proteins by employing engineered proteins. These approaches have not only enabled us to isolate Ca2+-binding sites and obtain their Ca2+-binding affinities, but also to investigate conformational changes and cooperativity effects upon Ca2+ binding. The focus of my thesis pertains to optimizing the expression and purification of engineered proteins with tailored functions. Proteins were expressed in E. coli using different cell strains, vectors, temperatures, and inducer concentrations. After rigorous expression optimization procedures, proteins were further purified using chromatographic and/or refolding techniques. Expression and purification optimization of proteins is essential for further analyses, since the techniques used for these studies require high protein concentrations and purity. Evaluated proteins had yields between 5-70 mg/L and purities of 80-90% as confirmed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.