Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The organotellurium compounds have been the subject of research due to their pharmacological and toxicological properties. It is believed that the main mechanism involved in the toxicity of these compounds is the ability to interact with sulfhydryl groups from molecules biologically active. Beyond the toxicological effects, some pharmacological properties have been attributed to organotellurium compounds. This study aimed to investigate the potential toxicological and pharmacologic of 2-phenylethynyl-butyltellurium (PEBT) through experiments in vitro and in vivo in rodents. To evaluate the toxicological effect the PEBT was used at different concentrations in the oxidation of mono and dithiols and analysis of enzyme Na+K+ -ATPase and lactate dehydrogenase in vitro. Furthermore, lethality studies were performed to calculate the LC50 LD50 of this compound and for better understanding their toxicity. To evaluate the pharmacological effect the PEBT was used at a dose of 1mg/kg 30 minutes before the behavioral experiments, evaluation of locomotor activity, forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST), immediately after testing the cerebral cortex was removed for analysis of monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme. The results showed that the PEBT oxidized thiols of low molecular weight and inhibits the activity of the enzyme Na+K+ - ATPase by oxidation of sulfhydryl groups, and such oxidation is dependent on the tellurium atom in the structure of this compound. Moreover, the acute administration of PEBT showed an antidepressant-like effect on TNF in mice, as well inhibits the activity of MAO-A enzyme in the cerebral cortex, demonstrating the involvement of this enzyme in its antidepressant-like effect. / Os compostos orgânicos de telúrio têm despertado o interesse dos pesquisadores, devido as suas propriedades farmacológicas e toxicológicas. Acredita-se que o principal mecanismo envolvido na toxicidade desses compostos, seja a capacidade de interagir com os grupamentos sulfidrílicos de moléculas biologicamente ativas. Além dos efeitos toxicológicos, propriedades farmacológicas vêm sendo atribuídas aos compostos orgânicos de telúrio. Esse estudo teve como objetivo investigar o potencial toxicológico e farmacológico do 2- feniletinilbutil-telúrio (PEBT), através de experimentos in vitro e in vivo em roedores. Para a avaliação toxicológica, o PEBT foi utilizado em diferentes concentrações na oxidação de mono e ditiois e na determinação da atividade das enzimas Na+K+ -ATPase e lactato desidrogenase, in vitro. Ainda nesse sentido estudos de letalidade foram realizados para calcular a CL50 e DL50 desse composto para melhor compreender a sua toxicidade. Para a avaliação farmacológica, o PEBT foi administrado em camundongos, na dose de 1 mg/kg 30 minutos antes dos experimentos comportamentais, avaliação da atividade locomotora, teste do nado forçado (TNF) e teste de suspensão da cauda (TSC). Após os testes comportamentais, os animais foram mortos e o córtex cerebral foi retirado para determinação da atividade da enzima monoamina oxidase (MAO). Os resultados mostraram que o PEBT oxida tióis de baixo peso molecular e inibe a atividade da enzima Na+K+ -ATPase, pela oxidação de seus grupamentos sulfidrilicos, sendo essa oxidação depende da presença do átomo de telúrio na estrutura do composto. Além disso, a administração aguda do PEBT produz um efeito do tipo antidepressivo no TNF em camundongos, bem como inibe a atividade da enzima MAO-A em córtex cerebral, demonstrando o envolvimento dessa enzima no seu efeito do tipo antidepressivo.

Submitted by Alison Vanceto (alison-vanceto@hotmail.com) on 2016-10-05T14:03:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRFNS.pdf: 7648197 bytes, checksum: 76ec1475a7603115854bee2c6dc347a5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-05T18:42:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRFNS.pdf: 7648197 bytes, checksum: 76ec1475a7603115854bee2c6dc347a5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-05T18:42:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRFNS.pdf: 7648197 bytes, checksum: 76ec1475a7603115854bee2c6dc347a5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-05T19:07:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRFNS.pdf: 7648197 bytes, checksum: 76ec1475a7603115854bee2c6dc347a5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-11 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / In this work, oxidoreductases of the glutathione reductase (GR), trypanothione reductase (TR) and sulfhydryl oxidase (SOX) sub-subclasses that are FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) dependent enzymes and contain a group with sulfur as a charge acceptor/donor near the FAD isoalloxazine region were studied. Oxidoreductases are enzymes capable of catalyzing redox reactions, thus requiring donor groups and acceptor groups of charges. FAD is a cofactor of the oxidoreductases and participates in the enzymatic catalysis, brokering the transfer of charges between ligands and the polypeptide chain of the proteins. The thiol groups and disulfide bonds existing in the enzymes are, in many instances, involved in these transfer of protons and electrons together with the FAD. The conformation of the isoalloxazine region of the FAD and the π interactions between the sulfur atoms and the flavin region were studied. The crystal structures of 180 oxidoreductases with FAD and disulfide bonds retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) were analyzed, which allowed to set up some relationships between the bond lengths of the disulfide bridge in proteins and in small molecules, to determine the existence of deformations of the isoalloxazine moiety of the FAD, to measure the SG-π interaction distances and realize some FAD features that help differentiate the GR, TR and SOX sub-subclasses. / Neste trabalho foram estudadas oxidorredutases das sub-subclasses glutationa redutases (GR), tripanotiona redutases (TR) e sulfidril oxidases (SOX) que são enzimas dependentes de FAD (flavina adenina dinucleotídeo) e contêm um grupo com enxofre como aceitador/doador de cargas, próximo à região isoaloxazina do FAD. As oxidorredutases são enzimas capazes de catalisar reações redox, necessitando, para tal, de grupos doadores e grupos aceitadores de cargas. O FAD é um cofator das oxidorredutases e participa na catálise enzimática, intermediando a transferência de cargas entre ligantes e a cadeia polipeptídica das proteínas. Os grupos tiol e as ligações dissulfeto existentes nas enzimas estão, em muitos casos, envolvidos nessas transferências de prótons e elétrons em conjunto com o FAD. Foi realizado o estudo da conformação da região isoaloxazina do FAD e de interações π entre os átomos de enxofre e a flavina do FAD. Foram analisadas 180 estruturas cristalográficas de oxidorredutases com FAD e ligações dissulfeto obtidas do Protein Data Bank (PDB) o que permitiu relacionar os comprimentos da ligação dissulfeto em proteínas e em pequenas moléculas, classificar deformações da isoaloxazina do FAD, determinar distâncias de interação SG-π e perceber caraterísticas do FAD que permitem diferenciar as sub-subclasses de GR, TR e SOX. / CNPq: 166636/2013-4

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / INTRODUÃÃO: A amifostina (WR-2721) tem sido largamente estudada como agente citoprotetor em diferentes ÃrgÃos e contra os mais diversos agressores do organismo humano. Recentemente, um efeito gastroprotetor deste fÃrmaco foi observado em modelo de lesÃo gÃstrica induzida por indometacina (MOTA et al., 2007). OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho investigou o efeito da amifostina na lesÃo gÃstrica por etanol e o papel dos neurÃnios sensoriais aferentes, grupos sulfidrÃlicos nÃo-protÃicos, Ãxido nÃtrico, canais de potÃssio sensÃveis ao ATP e ciclooxigenase-2 nesse processo. MÃTODOS: Ratos Wistar foram tratados com amifostina (22,5, 45, 90 ou 180 mg/kg, v.o. ou s.c.). ApÃs 30 minutos, os animais receberam etanol absoluto (5 ml/kg v.o.). Decorridos 60 minutos da administraÃÃo de etanol, os animais foram sacrificados. Foram realizados estudos macroscÃpicos e histolÃgicos, bem como dosagem de grupos sulfidrÃlicos nÃo-protÃicos e de hemoglobina em fragmentos de estÃmago. Outros grupos foram prÃ-tratados com L-NAME (10 mg/kg i.p.), glibenclamida (10 mg/kg v.o.), celecoxibe (10 mg/kg v.o.) ou salina. ApÃs 30 minutos os ratos receberam amifostina (90 mg/kg v.o. ou s.c.) e depois de mais 30 minutos etanol absoluto (5 ml/kg), com sacrifÃcio ocorrendo 60 minutos depois. Um grupo de animais foi desensibilizado com capsaicina (125 mg/kg s.c.) entre 10 a 14 dias antes do protocolo de tratamento com amifostina. RESULTADOS: A amifostina preveniu de forma significativa o dano macroscÃpico causado por etanol no estÃmago nas doses de 45, 90 e 180 mg/kg quando administrada por via oral e 90 e 180 mg/kg quando utilizada por via subcutÃnea. Os parÃmetros histolÃgicos, edema, hemorragia e perda de cÃlulas epiteliais, tambÃm foram reduzidos (p<0,05) com o uso de amifostina. Os animais que receberam apenas etanol apresentaram nÃveis reduzidos de GSH no estÃmago. A amifostina reverteu esse efeito atravÃs de um estÃmulo à produÃÃo de novo de GSH ou pela prevenÃÃo do consumo destes grupos. A gastroproteÃÃo da amifostina na lesÃo induzida pelo etanol foi revertida pela administraÃÃo prÃvia de doses neurotÃxicas de capsaicina, mas nÃo pelo uso de L-NAME, glibenclamida ou celecoxibe. CONCLUSÃES: A amifostina protege a mucosa gÃstrica contra a injÃria induzida pelo etanol atravÃs de um aumento dos nÃveis de GSH e estimulaÃÃo de neurÃnios sensoriais aferentes no estÃmago. Esse efeito parece ser independente da ativaÃÃo de canais de potÃssio sensÃveis ao ATP e da atividade de Ãxido nÃtrico sintase e ciclooxigenase-2 / INTRODUCTION: Amifostine (WR-2721) has been widely tested as a cytoprotective agent against a number of aggressors in different organs. Recently, a gastroprotective effect was observed for this drug in a model of indomethacin-induced gastric injury (MOTA et al., 2007). OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of amifostine on ethanol-induced gastric injury and the role played by afferent sensory nerves, non-protein sulfhydryl groups, nitric oxide, ATP-sensitive potassium channels and cyclooxygenase-2 in the mechanism. METHODS: Wistar rats were treated with amifostine (22.5, 45, 90 or 180 mg/kg, p.o. or s.c.). Thirty minutes after amifostine administration, the animals were given 100% ethanol (5 ml/kg p.o.). Sixty minutes after ethanol administration the animals were euthanized. Macroscopic and histological studies were carried out and stomach fragments were retrieved and submitted to analysis for non-protein sulfhydryl groups and hemoglobin. Some animals were pretreated with L-NAME (10 mg/kg i.p.), glibenclamide (10 mg/kg p.o.), celecoxib (10 mg/kg p.o.) or saline solution. Thirty minutes after pretreatment the animals were given amifostine (90 mg/kg p.o. or s.c.) and, after another 30 minutes, 100% ethanol (5 ml/kg). The animals were euthanized 60 minutes later. Other rats were desensitized with capsaicin (125 mg/kg s.c.) 10-14 days before amifostine treatment. RESULTS: Amifostine treatment significantly reduced ethanol-induced macroscopic stomach injury at 45, 90 and 180 mg/kg p.o. and at 90 and 180 mg/kg s.c. The histological parameters (edema, hemorrhage and epithelial cell loss) were also reduced (p<0.05) when the animals were treated with amifostine. Animals receiving ethanol only presented reduced GSH levels in the stomach. Amifostine reverted this effect either by stimulating de novo GSH production or by preventing the consumption of GSH. Amifostine-promoted gastroprotection against ethanol-induced stomach injury was reversed by pretreatment with neurotoxic doses of capsaicin, but not by L-NAME, glibenclamide or celecoxib. CONCLUSIONS: Amifostine protects against ethanol-induced gastric injury by increasing GSH levels and stimulating the afferent sensory nerves in the stomach independently of ATP-sensitive potassium channels activation, nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 activity

Disulfide bridges play a significant role in protein-folding as well as en- zyme activity and thus regulate many intra- and extracellular processes. Sulfhydryl oxidase QSOX1 forms S-S bridges de novo, modulating the activity of its substrates and thus directly or indirectly influences vital cel- lular processes. The first part of this thesis focuses on characterization of the role of QSOX1 in cancerogenesis, using breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, MDA-MB-231) and pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc-1), while the second part emphasizes the regulation of QSOX1 expression by different oxygen concentrations. To study the effect of QSOX1 on proliferation of triple-negative cancer cells MDA-MB-231, two genetically modified cell lines - QSOX1-overexpressing and QSOX1 knockout cell lines - were constructed. While increased QSOX1 protein levels do not have a significant effect, the absence of QSOX1 leads to a decreased cellular growth. Lack of QSOX1 also results in visible change in cellular morphology. QSOX1 knockout cells can be mostly characterized as more round-shaped with less noticeable or completely missing lamellipo- dia. This finding is with agreement with to-date literature suggesting that QSOX1 is important not only for cellular proliferation but also for migration and invasiveness. While authenticating the theory of...

Two angiotensin II receptor subtypes were distinguished in the rat brain using in vitro receptor autoradiography based on the differential effects of sulfhydryl reducing agents on 125I-sarcosine1, isoleucine8 angiotensin II binding in various brain nuclei. At several nuclei, e.g. the hypothalamus, circumventricular organs and the dorsal medulla, 125I-sarcosine1, isoleucine8 angiotensin II binding was strongly inhibited by 30 mM β-mercaptoethanol or 5 mM dithiothreitol, whereas at other nuclei, e.g. the lateral septum, colliculi, locus coeruleus and medial amygdala, sulfhydryl reducing agents had either little effect on radioligand binding or enhanced the binding. The distribution of the sulfhydryl reducing agent inactivated subtype corresponds exactly with the distribution of DuP 753 sensitive (designated as AIIα) 125I-sarcosine1, isoleucine8 angiotensin II binding sites25. The subtype not inhibited by sulfhydryl reducing agents corresponds with the DuP 753 insensitive (designated as AIIβ) sites in the brain25. The sulfhydryl reducing agent effect on brain angiotensin II receptor subtypes is similar to that seen in angiotensin II receptor subtypes in peripheral tissues. These observations indicate that many previous studies of brain angiotensin II receptor binding that included 5 mM dithiothreitol in the assay medium overlooked the sulfhydryl reducing agent inactivated (AIIα) receptor subtype.

Disulfide bridges play a significant role in protein-folding as well as en- zyme activity and thus regulate many intra- and extracellular processes. Sulfhydryl oxidase QSOX1 forms S-S bridges de novo, modulating the activity of its substrates and thus directly or indirectly influences vital cel- lular processes. The first part of this thesis focuses on characterization of the role of QSOX1 in cancerogenesis, using breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, MDA-MB-231) and pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc-1), while the second part emphasizes the regulation of QSOX1 expression by different oxygen concentrations. To study the effect of QSOX1 on proliferation of triple-negative cancer cells MDA-MB-231, two genetically modified cell lines - QSOX1-overexpressing and QSOX1 knockout cell lines - were constructed. While increased QSOX1 protein levels do not have a significant effect, the absence of QSOX1 leads to a decreased cellular growth. Lack of QSOX1 also results in visible change in cellular morphology. QSOX1 knockout cells can be mostly characterized as more round-shaped with less noticeable or completely missing lamellipo- dia. This finding is with agreement with to-date literature suggesting that QSOX1 is important not only for cellular proliferation but also for migration and invasiveness. While authenticating the theory of...

Memory of chirality (MOC) is an emerging strategy for asymmetric synthesis which relies upon the intermediacy of transiently non-racemic reactive species. In these reactions the configuration of the sole stereogenic center of the enantiopure starting material is "memorized" by a chiral non-racemic conformation in the intermediate; trapping then captures the stereochemical information, and generates a new stereogenic center with high fidelity. We experimentally and computationally studied the highly retentive deprotonation/alkylations of 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones (BZDs) that rely upon this strategy. We captured a transiently non-racemic BZD enolate intermediate in enantiopure form, then released the enolate and observed its subsequent reaction. This approach allowed the first ever step-wise observation of the stereochemical course of such a MOC process. Approximately 2 million deaths are caused by malaria every year in the world. In total roughly 3.2 billion people are living under the risk of malaria transmission. Current use of anticholinesterase insecticides has been limited by their toxicity to human beings. A major African malaria insect vector, Anopheles gambiae (Ag), was targeted. Based on sequence alignment and homology models of AgAChE, a strategy of dual-site binding was adopted that targets Trp84 in the active site and Cys286 at the peripheral site. Selective AChE inhibitors have been designed and synthesized. / Ph. D.

<p>The human glucose transporter GLUT1 facilitates glucose to be accumulated on the other side of the cell membrane. The functional state of GLUT1 is uncertain due to diversity of the reports. In this thesis, the activity of red blood cell GLUT1 was extensively studied to further characterize this protein.</p><p>The human red blood cell membranes were stripped to become vesicles with low-ionic alkaline solution in the presence or absence of dithioerithritol. The supernatant of partially solubilized membrane vesicles provided approximately 65% of the vesicle proteins. GLUT1 purified from this supernatant showed a little high-affinity cytochalasin B binding activity. On the other hand, the vesicles stripped with dithioerythritol provided mostly monomeric GLUT1 and those without dithioerythritol provided monomeric and oligomeric GLUT1. MALDI-ToF-MS detected variant GLUT1 fragments between the two preparations. Residual endogenous phospholipids per GLUT1 also showed difference. However, the equilibrium exchange of glucose was retained for both GLUT1 preparations. Cytochalasin B-binding activity of GLUT1 in streptoavidin-biotin-immobilized red blood cells showed that both dissociation constant and binding sites per GLUT1 fell between those of wheat germ lectin-immobilized red blood cells with or without polylysine coating, which indicated the switching of two cytochalasin B-binding states of GLUT1. It is concluded that GLUT1 in red blood cells contains approximately two equal portions, monomeric with high-affinity cytochalasin B-binding activity and oligomeric without high-affinity cytochalasin B-binding activity. In the partial solubilization of the membrane vesicles, GLUT1 which does not have high-affinity cytochalasin B-binding activity is pooled. This might provide a resolution to select oligomerically and functionally different GLUT1 for crystallization.</p><p>In addition a modified micro-Bradford assay with CaPE precipitation was developed to achieve a routine quantitation method for membrane proteins and the effects of cholesterol and PEG(5000)-DSPE on reconstituted GLUT1 were preliminarily determined.</p>

The human glucose transporter GLUT1 facilitates glucose to be accumulated on the other side of the cell membrane. The functional state of GLUT1 is uncertain due to diversity of the reports. In this thesis, the activity of red blood cell GLUT1 was extensively studied to further characterize this protein. The human red blood cell membranes were stripped to become vesicles with low-ionic alkaline solution in the presence or absence of dithioerithritol. The supernatant of partially solubilized membrane vesicles provided approximately 65% of the vesicle proteins. GLUT1 purified from this supernatant showed a little high-affinity cytochalasin B binding activity. On the other hand, the vesicles stripped with dithioerythritol provided mostly monomeric GLUT1 and those without dithioerythritol provided monomeric and oligomeric GLUT1. MALDI-ToF-MS detected variant GLUT1 fragments between the two preparations. Residual endogenous phospholipids per GLUT1 also showed difference. However, the equilibrium exchange of glucose was retained for both GLUT1 preparations. Cytochalasin B-binding activity of GLUT1 in streptoavidin-biotin-immobilized red blood cells showed that both dissociation constant and binding sites per GLUT1 fell between those of wheat germ lectin-immobilized red blood cells with or without polylysine coating, which indicated the switching of two cytochalasin B-binding states of GLUT1. It is concluded that GLUT1 in red blood cells contains approximately two equal portions, monomeric with high-affinity cytochalasin B-binding activity and oligomeric without high-affinity cytochalasin B-binding activity. In the partial solubilization of the membrane vesicles, GLUT1 which does not have high-affinity cytochalasin B-binding activity is pooled. This might provide a resolution to select oligomerically and functionally different GLUT1 for crystallization. In addition a modified micro-Bradford assay with CaPE precipitation was developed to achieve a routine quantitation method for membrane proteins and the effects of cholesterol and PEG(5000)-DSPE on reconstituted GLUT1 were preliminarily determined.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Intoxication caused by Senecio sp is characterized by irreversible damage to liver cells and may be associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intoxication by Senecio sp on lipoperoxidation, antioxidant defenses, and the osmotic resistance of erythrocytes in cattle. Blood samples from 30 intoxicated animals (group 1) and 30 samples from healthy animals (group 2) were analyzed. The diagnosis of poisoning by Senecio sp was based on histopathologic lesions verified through hepatic biopsy. The following biochemical parameters of oxidative stress in the erythrocytes were determined: thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) activity, and nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) groups. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility also was evaluated. TBARS concentration and CuZnSOD activity were significantly (P < .001) higher in group 1 when compared with group 2. The concentration of erythrocyte NPSH groups was significantly (P < .03) lower in group 1 when compared with group 2. Osmotic fragility was more pronounced in the erythrocytes of group 1 when compared with group 2 (P < .001). The results of this study indicate that poisoning by Senecio sp causes a increase in lipoperoxidation, oxidation of NPSH groups, and consequently, oxidative stress in bovine erythrocytes that may contribute to hemolysis. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in cell damage in animals intoxicated by Senecio sp. / Intoxicação causada por Senecio sp é caracterizada por danos irreversíveis às células hepáticas e pode estar associada com estresse oxidativo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da intoxicação por Senecio sp sobre a peroxidação lipídica, defesa antioxidante e resistência osmótica dos eritrócitos em bovinos. Amostras sanguíneas de 30 animais intoxicados (grupo 1) e 30 animais sadios (grupo 2) foram analisadas. O diagnóstico de intoxicação por Senecio sp foi baseado nas lesões histopatológicas verificadas através de biópsia hepática. Os seguintes parâmetros bioquímicos de estresse oxidativo nos eritrócitos foram determinados: substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), atividade da cobre-zinco superóxido dismutase (CuZnSOD) e grupamentos sulfidris nãoproteicos (NPSH).Fragilidade osmótica dos eritrócitos também foi avaliada. A concentração de TBARS e atividade da CuZnSOD foi significativamente maior (p<.001) no grupo 1 quando comparado com o grupo 2. A concentração dos grupamentos NPSH nos eritrócitos foi significativamente menor (p<.03) no grupo 1 quando comparado o grupo 2. A fragilidade osmótica foi maior nos eritrócitos do grupo 1 quando comparada com o grupo 2 (p<.001). O resultado deste estudo indica que a intoxicação por Senecio sp causa um aumento na peroxidação lipídica, oxidação dos grupamentos NPSH, e consequentemente, estresse oxidativo nos eritrócitos de bovinos que pode contribuir para a hemólise. Estes achados podem contribuir para o melhor entendimento dos mecanismos envolvidos no dano celular em animais intoxicados por Senecio sp.