<p> Calcium (Ca2+) is an important signaling molecule and hence its movement across cell membranes must be tightly regulated. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in smooth muscle and endothelium controls the coronary tone. After stimulation, decreasing the [Ca2+]i back to resting levels is achieved mainly by the sodium calcium exchanger (NCX), the plasma membrane calcium pump (PMCA) or the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA). The present study will focus on NCX and its interactions with SERCA in the smooth muscle and endothelium of pig coronary artery.</p> <p> Aim 1 of my thesis is determination of activity levels of NCX in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC). The NCX activity in cultured cells was approximately 5 times greater in EC than in SMC. The NCX inhibitors KB-R7943 and SEA 0400 blocked the NCX mediated Ca2+ entry, as did collapsing the Na+ gradient with monensin. NCX1 is the isoform largely responsible for NCX activity in SMC and EC. NCX activity was also assayed as the Ca2+ efflux in cultured cells and as Ca2+ uptake in plasma membrane vesicles isolated from freshly isolated smooth muscle.</p> <p> Aim 2 is to assess the existence of a functional NCX mediated Ca2+ entry linked to SERCA in SMC. In the absence of thapsigargin, BAPTA loading SMC increased the NCX mediated uptake. Thapsigargin did not affect the Ca2+ uptake in BAPTA loaded cells but it inhibited the Ca2+ uptake in cells that were not loaded with BAPTA. These data are consistent with a model in which SER acts as a sink for the NCX mediated Ca2+ entry. However, with BAPTA chelation and the resulting lower intracellular Ca2+, the need for SER to act as a sink is eliminated, and NCX is driven in full force. EC did not demonstrate a NCX-SERCA linkage.</p> <p> Arterial SMC and EC differ in their structure and function. The function of SMC is the generation of tone which is achieved by the Ca2+ dependent contractile filaments. Since these filaments are distributed throughout the cell, Ca2+ must be transported to and removed from deep within the cell. As a result, the SER may play a large role in Ca2+ regulation in the SMC. Furthermore, SMC also contain higher levels of high affinity Ca2+ pumps (SERCA and PMCA) and thus Ca2+ is more tightly regulated. Endothelial cells release nitric oxide in response to an increase in [Ca2+]i, which relaxes the smooth muscle. The endothelial nitric oxide sythase produces nitric oxide and is located adjacent to the PM in EC. The SER that removes Ca2+ from deep within the cell cytosol may play a small role in Ca2+ dependent modulation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity. Based on the Western blot data, EC contain a greater amount of the high capacity NCX, thus the larger quantities of Ca2+ can be removed from the cell and the vicinity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

Abstract The delta opioid receptor (&#948;OR) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family. This transmembrane receptor has an important role in the regulation of pain. The OPRD1 gene that encodes the human &#948;OR (h&#948;OR) contains at least 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The only nonsynonymous SNP resides in the amino-terminal (N-terminal) domain of the receptor and it replaces Phe at position 27 with Cys, thus introducing an unpaired Cys residue on the extracellular surface of the receptor. The Cys27 variant has been shown to have an allelic frequency of about 10% in Caucasian populations. The polymorphic site is flanked by two putative N-glycosylation sites at Asn18 and Asn33. In this study, the folding, maturation and trafficking of h&#948;OR was assessed using the h&#948;ORPhe27 and h&#948;ORCys27 variants and the N-glycosylation deficient forms of the latter as models in a heterologous expression system. The effects of N-glycosylation and the unpaired Cys-residue were studied with various biochemical, pharmacological and cell biological methods. In addition, protein-protein interactions of the intracellular h&#948;OR precursors were assessed. The h&#948;ORCys27 and h&#948;ORPhe27 variants differed significantly in their subcellular localization and maturation efficiency. The newly synthesized h&#948;ORCys27 was found to accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) prior to its ER-associated degradation in proteasomes. Although a slow maturation rate was characteristic for both variants, only the h&#948;ORCys27 had poor maturation efficiency. The cell surface expression of h&#948;ORCys27 was further decreased because the constitutive internalization of this receptor was enhanced compared to h&#948;ORPhe27. N-linked glycosylation was not required for h&#948;OR function or ligand binding, but was important for the expression of the correctly folded receptor species at the cell surface. The mutant non-N-glycosylated receptor was shown to traffic to the cell surface with enhanced kinetics, but some of the plasma membrane receptors were in a nonnative conformation. Also, the overall levels of the non-N-glycosylated h&#948;ORCys27 were decreased as the receptor was efficiently internalized for lysosomal degradation in a constitutive fashion. The h&#948;ORCys27 and h&#948;ORPhe27 precursors were found to interact with several ER localized proteins, such as calnexin (CNX), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and ERp72. The receptors also associated with the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2b (SERCA2b), which was shown to occur during translocation of the receptor to the ER membrane or immediately thereafter. The interaction was not receptor N-glycan dependent and the normal functional activity of SERCA2b was shown to be required for proper cell surface expression of h&#948;OR. / Tiivistelmä &#948;-opioidireseptori kuuluu G-proteiinikytkentäisiin reseptoreihin, ja sillä on tärkeä rooli kivun säätelyssä. Ihmisen &#948;-opioidireseptoria koodaavassa OPRD1 geenissä on havaittu ainakin 11 yhden nukleotidin polymorfiaa. Vain yksi tunnetuista polymorfioista aiheuttaa muutoksen proteiinin aminohapposekvenssiin. Se sijaitsee reseptorin aminoterminaalisessa osassa ja se muuttaa fenyylialaniinin (Phe) kohdassa 27 kysteiiniksi (Cys), joka on pariton. Cys27-variantin yleisyys eurooppalaisessa väestössä on noin 10 %. Polymorfisen kohdan molemmilla puolilla on N-glykosylaatiokohdat asparagiineissa Asn18 ja Asn33. Tämän työn tavoitteena oli tutkia &#948;-opioidireseptorin laskostumista, maturaatiota ja kuljetusta heterologisessa solumallissa käyttämällä Phe27- ja Cys27-variantteja sekä Cys27-variantin N-glykosyloimatonta mutanttia. Cys27-polymorfian ja N-glykosylaation vaikutuksia tutkittiin useilla biokemiallisilla, farmakologisilla sekä solubiologisilla menetelmillä. Lisäksi työssä tutkittiin solunsisäisen &#948;-opioidireseptorin esiasteen vuorovaikutusta muiden proteiinien kanssa. Phe27- ja Cys27-varianttien sijainti solun sisällä ja maturaatiotehokkuus eroavat toisistaan merkittävästi. Vastasyntetisoitu Cys27-variantti kerääntyy endoplasmakalvostoon, josta se ohjautuu proteasomihajoitukseen. Molemmat variantit kulkeutuvat solun pintaan hitaasti. Cys27-variantin prosessointi on huomattavasti tehottomampaa ja sen määrää solun pinnalla vähentää myös lisääntynyt ohjaaminen solunsisäiseen lysosomihajotukseen. N-glykosylaatiolla ei havaittu olevan vaikutusta reseptorin toimintaan tai ligandin sitomiseen, mutta sillä on tärkeä merkitys oikein laskostuneiden reseptorien kuljetukselle solun pinnalle, koska osa pintaan päässeistä N-glykosyloimattomista reseptoreista on muodossa, johon reseptorispesifinen ligandi ei sitoudu. Vaikka mutanttireseptori kulkeutuukin solun pintaan nopeammin, sen määrä solun pinnalla on alhaisempi, koska mutanttireseptori ohjataan huomattavan nopeasti solun pinnalta lysosomihajotukseen. Phe27- ja Cys27-varianttien havaittiin olevan myös vuorovaikutuksessa eräiden endosomaalisen kalvoston proteiinien kanssa, kuten kalneksiinin, proteiinidisulfidi-isomeraasin ja ERp72-proteiinin. Kumpikin reseptori havaittiin yhteisessä rakenteessa sarko(endo)plasmakalvoston kalsium-ATPaasi 2b -pumpun (SERCA2b) kanssa N-glykosylaatiosta riippumattomalla tavalla. Nämä proteiiniryhmät muodostuvat, kun reseptori liitetään synteesin aikana endoplasmakalvostoon tai heti sen jälkeen. Vuorovaikutus toiminnallisen SERCA2b:n kanssa havaittiin tärkeäksi toimintakykyisen &#948;-opioidireseptorin esiintymiselle solun pinnassa.

La thapsigargine (Tg) est une lactone sesquiterpène polyoxygénée appartenant à la famille des guaianolides, isolée de Thapsia (Apiacae), une plante poussant communément dans le basin méditerranéen. Son intérêt dans le traitement du cancer de la prostate est basé sur son potentiel inhibiteur de l’enzyme endo/sarcoplasmique calcium ATPase (SERCA). Ce phénomène conduit à une augmentation de la concentration du calcium dans le lumen du réticulum endoplasmique et engendre une apoptose cellulaire. Dans un premier temps, un modèle 8-desoxy-bicyclo[5.3.0]decadiénone, de structure proche du squelette de la Tg, a été synthétisé par le biais d’une réaction clé de Pauson-Khand allène-yne catalysée par un complexe de rhodium. L’approche directe développée est robuste avec de hautes sélectivités et rendements. Cette voie a ensuite été appliquée à la synthèse du produit naturel. A partir d’un époxyde optiquement enrichi, la partie Sud de la Tg (le motif lactonique) est tout d’abord mise en place. Les centres C6 et C8 sont ensuite construits respectivement par alcynylation/réduction asymétrique et par propargylation énantiosélective. Cette première approche a permis d’isoler un produit énantiopure possédant les centres chiraux C6, C7 et C8 ainsi que du motif lactonique en dix-sept étapes. Une seconde voie a été initiée permettant la mise en place plus rapide de la partie Sud de la molécule incluant les centres asymétriques C6, C7, C8 et C11 par le biais d’une réaction de dihydroxylation. Cette seconde voie a permis d’isoler un produit racémique possédant les centres chiraux C6, C7, C8 et C11 ainsi que du motif lactonique en dix étapes. Parallèlement, une étude méthodologique a été menée sur la réaction de Pauson-Khand allénol-yne intramoléculaire. Treize composés bicycliques ont été synthétisés en série acétal et NTs. / Thapsigargin (Tg) is a highly oxygenated sesquiterpene lactone belonging to the guaianolide family, isolated from the Mediterranean plant species Thapsia (Apiaceae). Its interest towards treatment of prostate cancer is based on the potency of this compound as an inhibitor of the endo/sarcoplasmic calcium ATPase (SERCA) inducing an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration and leading to apoptotic cell death. A straightforward approach to a highly functionalized 8-desoxy-bicyclo[5.3.0]decadienone model close to the Tg framework has been achieved through a key Rh(I) allenic Pauson-Khand reaction (APKR). The synthetic route developed therein is robust and the yields and selectivities are high. This approach was used in the synthesis of the natural compound. Starting from the same chiral epoxide, the bottom portion of the Tg (lactone core) is first built, then C6 and C8 carbons are functionalized respectively by asymmetric reduction and enantioselective propargylation. This first way allowed to synthesize a seventeen steps-enantiopure product with C6, C7, C8 chiral centers and the lactone core. A second way is performed to set up faster the bottom part of the molecule included C6, C7, C8 and C11 asymmetric centers through a dihydroxylation step. This second approach allowed to synthesize a ten steps-racemic product with C6, C7, C8, C11 chiral centers and the lactone core. Meanwhile, a methodological study was conducted on the intramolecular allenol-yne Pauson-Khand reaction. Thirteen bicyclic compounds were synthesized in acetal and NTs series.

Heart failure is a debilitating condition in which the heart cannot meet the metabolic demands of the body. Chronic β-adrenergic (β-AR) stimulation causes pathological myocardial remodeling that leads to heart failure, in part, by promoting apoptosis of cardiac myocytes. Work from our laboratory has shown that β-AR stimulated apoptosis is dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the molecular targets by which ROS mediate apoptosis is not known. One target of ROS that may contribute to activating the apoptosis pathway is the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA2). SERCA2 is responsible for moving the large majority of intracellular calcium in the cardiac myocyte. We have identified that SERCA2 can undergo oxidative post-translational modification (OPTM) of cysteine C674: Low ROS increase activity while high ROS decreases. Since SERCA is the primary calcium transporter and is located in close proximity of the mitochondria, it is possible SERCA activity may affect the level of calcium in mitochondria, which in excess is a known activator of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Progressive loss of myocardial cells in ischemia and heart failure likely contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that oxidation of SERCA2 at C674 increases mitochondrial calcium, thereby activating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. To address this thesis, we used a novel redox-insensitive SERCA2 mutation in which C674 is replaced by serine (C674S) to determine the role of oxidative inhibition of SERCA in H2O2-stimulated apoptosis in vitro. We tested our hypothesis using adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVM) that overexpress wild type or SERCA C674 and assessed intra-organelle calcium content, mitochondrial function and activation of the apoptosis pathway. To measure mitochondrial calcium, we optimized the use of an ultrasensitive genetically-encoded calcium indicator (GECI) targeted to the mitochondria which was expressed in ARVM via adenovirus infection. Redox-insensitive SERCA C674S expressing ARVM displayed less sensitivity to H2O2-stimulated mitochondrial calcium uptake which was confirmed by measuring calcium sensitive pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphorylation status. Furthermore, SERCA C674S ARVM were protected from H2O2 -mediated apoptosis, indicated by a reduction in cytochrome c release and annexin V staining. Lastly, H2O2 treatment decreased the cytosolic ATP/ADP ratio and depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential, however this was independent of SERCA C674 oxidation. Taken together, these experiments elucidate a novel role for SERCA2 activity in cardiac myocytes and provide a potential therapeutic target for reducing cardiac myocyte apoptosis, potentially improving cardiac function during heart failure.

No description available.

The overall objective of this thesis was to examine mechanisms involved in the acute regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-handling properties by second messenger signaling pathways in skeletal and cardiac muscle. The aim of the first study (Chapter Two) was to characterize changes in the kinetic properties of sarco(endo)-plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) proteins in cardiac and skeletal muscles in response to b-adrenergic, Ca2+-dependent calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling. The aim of the second study (Chapter Three) was to determine if insulin signaling could acutely regulate SERCA kinetic properties in cardiac and skeletal muscle. The aim of the final study (Chapter Four) was to determine if alterations in plasma glucose, epinephrine and insulin concentrations during exercise are able to influence SR Ca2+-handling properties in contracting human skeletal muscle. Data collected in Chapter Two and Chapter Three were obtained using tissue prepared from a group of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats (9 weeks of age; mass = 280 ?? 4 g: X ?? S.E). Crude muscle homogenates (11:1 dilution) were prepared from selected hind limb muscles (soleus, SOL; extensor digitorum longus, EDL; the red portion of gastrocnemius, RG; and the white portion of gastrocnemius, WG) and the left ventricle (LV). Enriched SR membrane fractions, prepared from WG and LV, were also analyzed. A spectrophotometric assay was used to measure kinetic properties of SERCA, namely, maximal SERCA activity (Vmax), and Ca2+-sensitivity was characterized by both the Ca50, which is defined as the free Ca2+-concentration needed to elicit 50% Vmax, and the Hill coefficient (nH), which is defined as the relationship between SERCA activity and Ca2+f for 10 to 90% Vmax. The observations made in Chapter Two indicated that b-adrenergic signaling, activated by epinephrine, increased (P<0.05) Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 (i.e. reduced Ca50), without altering Vmax in LV and SOL but had no effect (P<0.05) on EDL, RG, or WG. Further analysis using a combination of cAMP, the PKA activator forskolin, and/or the PKA inhibitor KT5270 indicated that the reduced Ca50 in LV was activated by cAMP- and PKA-signaling mechanisms. However, although the reduced Ca50 in SOL was cAMP-dependent, it was not influenced by a PKA-dependent mechanism. In contrast to the effects of b-adrenergic signaling, CaMKII activation increased SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 and increased nh, without altering SERCA Vmax in LV but was without effect in any of the skeletal muscles examined. The PKC activator PMA significantly reduced SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, by inducing a right-shift in Ca50 and decreased nH in the LV and all skeletal muscles examined. PKC activation also reduced Vmax in the fast-twitch skeletal muscles (i.e. EDL, RG and WG), but did not alter Vmax in LV or SOL. The results of Chapter Three indicated that insulin signaling increased SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 (i.e. reduced Ca50) and an increased nH, without altering SERCA Vmax in crude muscle homogenates prepared from LV, SOL, EDL, RG, and WG. An increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity was also observed in enriched SERCA1a and SERCA2a vesicles when an activated form of the insulin receptor (A-INS-R) was included during biochemical analyses. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments were conducted and indicated that IRS-1 and IRS-2 proteins bind SERCA1a and SERCA2a in an insulin-dependent manner. However, the binding of IRS proteins with SERCA does not appear to alter the structural integrity of the SERCA Ca2+-binding site since no changes in NCD-4 fluorescence were observed in response to insulin or A-INS-R. Moreover, the increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity due to insulin signaling was not associated with changes in the phosphorylation status of phospholamban (PLN) since Ser16 or Thr17 phosphorylation was not altered by insulin or A-INS-R in LV tissue. The data described in Chapter Four was collected from 15 untrained human participants (peak O2 consumption, VO2peak= 3.45 ?? 0.17 L/min) who completed a standardized cycle test (~60% VO2peak) on two occasions during which they were provided either an artificially sweetened placebo (PLAC) or a 6% glucose (GLUC) beverage (~1.00 g CHO per kg body mass). Muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis at rest, after 30 min and 90 min of exercise and at fatigue in both conditions to allow assessment of metabolic and SR data. Glucose supplementation increased exercise ride time by ~19% (137 ?? 7 min) compared to PLAC (115 ?? 6 min). This performance increase was associated with elevated plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and reduced catecholamine concentrations during GLUC compared to PLAC. Prolonged exercise reduced (p<0.05) SR Ca2+-uptake, Vmax, Phase 1 and Phase 2 Ca2+-release rates during both PLAC and GLUC. However, no differences in SR Ca2+-handling properties were observed between conditions when direct comparisons were made at matched time points between PLAC and GLUC. In summary, the results of the first study (Chapter Two) indicate that b-adrenergic and CaMKII signaling increases SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity in the LV and SOL; while PKC signaling reduces SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity in all tissues. PKC activation also reduces Vmax in the fast-twitch skeletal muscles (i.e. EDL, RG, and WG) but has no effect on Vmax in the LV and SOL. The results of the second study (Chapter Three) indicate that insulin signaling acutely increases the Ca2+-sensitivity of SERCA1a and SERCA2a in all tissues examined, without altering the Vmax. Based on our observations, it appears that the increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity may be regulated, in part, through the interaction of IRS proteins with SERCA1a and SERCA2a. The results of the final study (Chapter Four) indicate that alterations in plasma glucose, epinephrine and insulin concentrations associated with glucose supplementation during exercise, do not alter the time course or magnitude of reductions in SERCA or Ca2+-release channel (CRC) function in working human skeletal muscle. Although glucose supplementation did increase exercise ride time to fatigue in this study, our data does not reveal an association with SR Ca2+-cycling measured in vitro. It is possible that the strength of exercise signal overrides the hormonal influences observed in resting muscles. Additionally, these data do not rule out the possibility that glucose supplementation may influence E-C coupling processes or SR Ca2+-cycling properties in vivo.

The overall objective of this thesis was to examine mechanisms involved in the acute regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-handling properties by second messenger signaling pathways in skeletal and cardiac muscle. The aim of the first study (Chapter Two) was to characterize changes in the kinetic properties of sarco(endo)-plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) proteins in cardiac and skeletal muscles in response to b-adrenergic, Ca2+-dependent calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling. The aim of the second study (Chapter Three) was to determine if insulin signaling could acutely regulate SERCA kinetic properties in cardiac and skeletal muscle. The aim of the final study (Chapter Four) was to determine if alterations in plasma glucose, epinephrine and insulin concentrations during exercise are able to influence SR Ca2+-handling properties in contracting human skeletal muscle. Data collected in Chapter Two and Chapter Three were obtained using tissue prepared from a group of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats (9 weeks of age; mass = 280 ± 4 g: X ± S.E). Crude muscle homogenates (11:1 dilution) were prepared from selected hind limb muscles (soleus, SOL; extensor digitorum longus, EDL; the red portion of gastrocnemius, RG; and the white portion of gastrocnemius, WG) and the left ventricle (LV). Enriched SR membrane fractions, prepared from WG and LV, were also analyzed. A spectrophotometric assay was used to measure kinetic properties of SERCA, namely, maximal SERCA activity (Vmax), and Ca2+-sensitivity was characterized by both the Ca50, which is defined as the free Ca2+-concentration needed to elicit 50% Vmax, and the Hill coefficient (nH), which is defined as the relationship between SERCA activity and Ca2+f for 10 to 90% Vmax. The observations made in Chapter Two indicated that b-adrenergic signaling, activated by epinephrine, increased (P<0.05) Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 (i.e. reduced Ca50), without altering Vmax in LV and SOL but had no effect (P<0.05) on EDL, RG, or WG. Further analysis using a combination of cAMP, the PKA activator forskolin, and/or the PKA inhibitor KT5270 indicated that the reduced Ca50 in LV was activated by cAMP- and PKA-signaling mechanisms. However, although the reduced Ca50 in SOL was cAMP-dependent, it was not influenced by a PKA-dependent mechanism. In contrast to the effects of b-adrenergic signaling, CaMKII activation increased SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 and increased nh, without altering SERCA Vmax in LV but was without effect in any of the skeletal muscles examined. The PKC activator PMA significantly reduced SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, by inducing a right-shift in Ca50 and decreased nH in the LV and all skeletal muscles examined. PKC activation also reduced Vmax in the fast-twitch skeletal muscles (i.e. EDL, RG and WG), but did not alter Vmax in LV or SOL. The results of Chapter Three indicated that insulin signaling increased SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 (i.e. reduced Ca50) and an increased nH, without altering SERCA Vmax in crude muscle homogenates prepared from LV, SOL, EDL, RG, and WG. An increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity was also observed in enriched SERCA1a and SERCA2a vesicles when an activated form of the insulin receptor (A-INS-R) was included during biochemical analyses. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments were conducted and indicated that IRS-1 and IRS-2 proteins bind SERCA1a and SERCA2a in an insulin-dependent manner. However, the binding of IRS proteins with SERCA does not appear to alter the structural integrity of the SERCA Ca2+-binding site since no changes in NCD-4 fluorescence were observed in response to insulin or A-INS-R. Moreover, the increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity due to insulin signaling was not associated with changes in the phosphorylation status of phospholamban (PLN) since Ser16 or Thr17 phosphorylation was not altered by insulin or A-INS-R in LV tissue. The data described in Chapter Four was collected from 15 untrained human participants (peak O2 consumption, VO2peak= 3.45 ± 0.17 L/min) who completed a standardized cycle test (~60% VO2peak) on two occasions during which they were provided either an artificially sweetened placebo (PLAC) or a 6% glucose (GLUC) beverage (~1.00 g CHO per kg body mass). Muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis at rest, after 30 min and 90 min of exercise and at fatigue in both conditions to allow assessment of metabolic and SR data. Glucose supplementation increased exercise ride time by ~19% (137 ± 7 min) compared to PLAC (115 ± 6 min). This performance increase was associated with elevated plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and reduced catecholamine concentrations during GLUC compared to PLAC. Prolonged exercise reduced (p<0.05) SR Ca2+-uptake, Vmax, Phase 1 and Phase 2 Ca2+-release rates during both PLAC and GLUC. However, no differences in SR Ca2+-handling properties were observed between conditions when direct comparisons were made at matched time points between PLAC and GLUC. In summary, the results of the first study (Chapter Two) indicate that b-adrenergic and CaMKII signaling increases SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity in the LV and SOL; while PKC signaling reduces SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity in all tissues. PKC activation also reduces Vmax in the fast-twitch skeletal muscles (i.e. EDL, RG, and WG) but has no effect on Vmax in the LV and SOL. The results of the second study (Chapter Three) indicate that insulin signaling acutely increases the Ca2+-sensitivity of SERCA1a and SERCA2a in all tissues examined, without altering the Vmax. Based on our observations, it appears that the increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity may be regulated, in part, through the interaction of IRS proteins with SERCA1a and SERCA2a. The results of the final study (Chapter Four) indicate that alterations in plasma glucose, epinephrine and insulin concentrations associated with glucose supplementation during exercise, do not alter the time course or magnitude of reductions in SERCA or Ca2+-release channel (CRC) function in working human skeletal muscle. Although glucose supplementation did increase exercise ride time to fatigue in this study, our data does not reveal an association with SR Ca2+-cycling measured in vitro. It is possible that the strength of exercise signal overrides the hormonal influences observed in resting muscles. Additionally, these data do not rule out the possibility that glucose supplementation may influence E-C coupling processes or SR Ca2+-cycling properties in vivo.

L’ion calcium est un second messager qui intervient dans de nombreux processuscellulaires dont la prolifération, la différenciation et l’apoptose. Ainsi, l’homéostasiecalcique constitue un point central de régulation de la signalisation cellulaire. En effet, laconcentration calcique cytosolique de calcium subit des oscillations, qui suivant leuramplitude ou leur fréquence, vont être capables d’activer spécifiquement certains facteursde transcription. La régulation de ces oscillations implique entre autres les ATPases de typeSERCA (Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase) qui accumulent le calcium dansle réticulum endoplasmique. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse a été l’étude des SERCAs aucours de la différenciation lymphocytaire B et dans l’épithélium du plexus choroïde ; ceci,afin de mieux comprendre le profil d’expression de ces pompes et les mécanismes derégulation impliqués.Au cours de la différenciation de lignées de leucémie aiguë lymphoblastique (LAL) nousavons observé que l’expression de l’isoforme SERCA2 restait stable ou augmentaitlégèrement alors que celle de l’isoforme SERCA3 était toujours fortement induite, pouvantatteindre des niveaux observés dans les cellules lymphoïdes matures. Nous avons égalementobservé que l’inhibition de l’activité des SERCAs altère la différenciation cellulaire qui estdépendante de la voie des PKC. Ces données indiquent que SERCA3 pourrait être utiliséecomme marqueur de la différenciation lymphocytaire B. Une régulation de l’expression desSERCAs a également été mise en évidence au cours de la différenciation de l’épithélium duplexus choroïde normal ou tumoral. SERCA3 est fortement exprimée dans l’épithéliumnormal, mais on retrouve une baisse ou une perte de son expression dans l’épithéliumtumoral, cette baisse est corrélée à la perte de la différenciation selon le grade des tumeurs.L’étude de l’expression des SERCAs dans les cellules primaires du plexus choroïde traitépar des agents cyto-différenciateurs (acides gras à chaîne courte), montre que ladifférenciation est associée à une surexpression de SERCA3. SERCA3 peut donc égalementêtre un marqueur de la différenciation de l’épithélium du plexus choroïde.L’ensemble de ce travail a montré que la différenciation cellulaire est associée à la régulationde protéines impliquées dans la régulation de l’homéostasie calcique : les SERCAs. On peutainsi proposer SERCA3 comme un nouveau marqueur phénotypique utile pour l’analyse dela différenciation du plexus choroïde normale et néoplasique, ainsi que pour celle de ladifférenciation lymphoïde pré-B leucémique. / Cellular calcium is involved in a multitude of biological processes including thecontrol of cell proliferation, differentiation and programmed cell death, and constitutestherefore a keconcentration calcique cytosolique de calcium subit des oscillations, qui suivant leuramplitude ou leur fréquence, vont être capables d’activer spécifiquement certains facteursde transcription. La régulation de ces oscillations implique entre autres les ATPases de typeSERCA (Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase) qui accumulent le calcium dansle réticulum endoplasmique. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse a été l’étude des SERCAs aucours de la différenciation lymphocytaire B et dans l’épithélium du plexus choroïde ; ceci,afin de mieux comprendre le profil d’expression de ces pompes et les mécanismes derégulation impliqués.Au cours de la différenciation de lignées de leucémie aiguë lymphoblastique (LAL) nousavons observé que l’expression de l’isoforme SERCA2 restait stable ou augmentaitlégèrement alors que celle de l’isoforme SERCA3 était toujours fortement induite, pouvantatteindre des niveaux observés dans les cellules lymphoïdes matures. Nous avons égalementobservé que l’inhibition de l’activité des SERCAs altère la différenciation cellulaire qui estdépendante de la voie des PKC. Ces données indiquent que SERCA3 pourrait être utiliséey element in cell signaling. Calcium levels vary in a dynamic mannerdepending on the state of activation of the cell, and can display oscillations the amplitudeand frequency of which can convey specific signals to various transcription factors.Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPases (SERCA enzymes) accumulate calciumfrom the cytosol into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). By modulating the spatiotemporalcharacteristics of calcium signals and oscillations, SERCA pumps constitute an importantand unique point of control of calcium-dependent cell activation. In this work weinvestigated SERCA expression during early B lymphoid differentiation and in normal,tumoral and hyperplastic choroid plexus epithelial cells.We have shown that SERCA3 expression is markedly increased during thepharmacologically induced differentiation of immature B acute lymphoblastic leukemiacells, whereas the expression of the simultaneously expressed SERCA2 isoform is notmodified significantly. SERCA3 expression during this differentiation process can reachlevels observed in mature B lymphoid cells, and is dependent on the activation of proteinkinase C. Moreover, the direct pharmacological inhibition of SERCA-dependent calciumtransport interferes with the differentiation process.Our investigations on the choroid plexus show, that whereas SERCA3 is highly expressedin normal choroid plexus epithelium, expression is strongly decreased in benign choroidplexus tumors and is lost in carcinoma, whereas expression is retained in hyperplasia. Inaddition, treatment of primary normal choroid plexus epithelial cells by short chain fattyacid-type cell differentiation-inducing agents in vitro leads to the induction of SERCA3expression.Our observations when taken together indicate that ER calcium homeostasis is remodeledduring the differentiation of immature B lymphoid cells and in the choroid plexus due to theinduction of SERCA3 expression. We show that a cross-talk exists between SERCA functionand the control of differentiation in B cells, that SERCA3 constitutes a new phenotypicmarker for the study of early B cell differentiation, and that the lack of SERCA3 expressionmay be useful for the identification of choroid plexus tumors.

To expand the understanding of aging in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, global quantification of metabolite and protein levels in young and aged nematodes was performed using mass spectrometry. With age, there was a decreased abundance of proteins functioning in transcription termination, mRNA degradation, mRNA stability, protein synthesis, and proteasomal function. Furthermore, there was altered S-adenosyl methionine metabolism as well as a decreased abundance of the S-adenosyl methionine synthetase (SAMS-1) protein. Other aging-related changes included alterations in free fatty acid levels and composition, decreased levels of ribosomal proteins, decreased levels of NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1), a shift in the cellular redox state, an increase in sorbitol content, alterations in free amino acid levels, and indications of altered muscle function and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ homeostasis. There were also decreases in pyrimidine and purine metabolite levels, most markedly nitrogenous bases. Supplementing the culture medium with cytidine (a pyrimidine nucleoside) or hypoxanthine (a purine base) increased lifespan slightly, suggesting that aging-induced alterations in ribonucleotide metabolism affect lifespan. An age-related increase in body size, lipotoxicity from ectopic yolk lipoprotein accumulation, a decline in NAD+ levels, and mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction may explain many of these changes. In addition, dietary restriction in aged worms resulting from sarcopenia of the pharyngeal pump likely decreases the abundance of SAMS-1, possibly leading to decreased phosphatidylcholine levels, larger lipid droplets, and ER and mitochondrial stress. The complementary use of proteomics and metabolomics yielded unique insights into the molecular processes altered with age in C. elegans.