Orientadores: Íscia Lopes-Cendes, Tiago Campos Pereira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T04:52:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lopes_CamilaMiranda_M.pdf: 829941 bytes, checksum: 12321a46db80c3af2cd6c71e4d97fd00 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A ataxia espinocerebelar do tipo 3 (SCA3), também conhecida como doença de Machado-Joseph (DMJ), pertence ao grupo das doenças neurodegenerativas por expansão de poliglutamina e é o tipo de ataxia de herança autossômica dominante mais comum em muitos países. Os efeitos clínicos são variados, incluindo a coordenação motora anormal e morte precoce. O gene MJD1, responsável pela doença, codifica a proteína ataxina-3, uma ubiquitina protease do sistema ubiquitina-proteossomo. Esta proteína quando mutada contém uma expansão consecutiva de 51-86 glutaminas, em contraste com a ataxina-3 normal que apresenta 14-44 glutaminas. Os mecanismos envolvidos na doença estão principalmente relacionados ao mal enovelamento e consequente agregação da proteína mutada, disfunção neuronal e morte celular por apoptose nos neurônios afetados. A investigação de estratégias que interfiram diretamente nos efeitos citotóxicos da doença representa, portanto, um importante enfoque terapêutico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um modelo in vitro dos efeitos citotóxicos da ataxina-3 mutada a fim de avaliar diferentes estratégias terapêuticas para o controle desses efeitos. O modelo in vitro para a DMJ foi estabelecido com sucesso utilizando a sequência completa do cDNA da ataxina-3 expandida codificando 84 glutaminas. A análise fenotípica das culturas celulares mostrou que nosso modelo apresenta os principais efeitos fenotípicos e citotóxicos da doença, como a formação de agregados protéicos e indução de morte celular. Nós investigamos três estratégias terapêuticas com a finalidade de diminuir a morte celular no modelo in vitro. A primeira, utilizando uma chaperona química (glicerol) teve o intuito de estabilizar a conformação nativa da proteína, auxiliando no enovelamento correto da mesma. Os sais de lítio provavelmente atuam modulando a expressão gênica e poderiam reverter os efeitos citotóxicos causados pela ataxina-3 expandida que levam à disfunção neuronal e à morte celular. A terceira estratégia focou na atenuação da disfunção mitocondrial através de um cofator mitocondrial e antioxidante poderoso, a coenzima Q10. O glicerol, lítio e coenzima Q10 aumentaram a viabilidade das células expressando a ataxina-3 expandida em 16%, 17% e 11%, respectivamente. O aumento de viabilidade resultou da diminuição da população celular em apoptose. Atualmente não existem tratamentos eficazes contra a DMJ, daí a importância de se estudar compostos capazes de reduzirem os efeitos citotóxicos da doença. Esse trabalho estabeleceu um modelo in vitro para a DMJ, bem caracterizado, fácil de ser manipulado no laboratório e de análise fenotípica direta que poderá ser mais explorado futuramente quanto à investigação de novos alvos terapêuticos e à compreensão dos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na patologia da doença. Nossos resultados indicam que o glicerol, o lítio e a coenzima Q10 são bons candidatos para prevenir a morte celular causada pela ataxina-3 expandida e, portanto, estudos adicionais utilizando esses 3 compostos devem ser considerados / Abstract: Spinocerebellar ataxia-3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), belongs to a group of neurodegenerative disorders caused by expansion of a polyglutamine stretch, called polyglutamine diseases. MJD is the most frequent inherited autosomal dominant ataxia in many countries. Clinical manifestations are varied, including abnormal motor coordination and early death. The protein encoded by MJD1, ataxin-3, is an ubiquitin protease that belongs to the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The responsible for MJD is a trinucleotide repeat expansion (CAG), which leads to an elongated polyglutamine tract in the encoded ataxin-3 protein, varying from 51 to 86 glutamines. On the other hand, normal alleles range between 14 and 44. The mechanisms underlying the disease are mainly related to protein misfolding and aggregation, neuronal dysfunction followed by cell death within the affected neurons. Investigation of strategies that interfere directly with disease cytotoxic effects represents an important therapeutic approach. The objective of this study was to develop an in vitro model that presented the main expanded ataxin-3 cytotoxic effects in order to evaluate different therapeutic strategies to control these effects. The in vitro model for MJD was successfully established using the complete ataxin-3 cDNA coding 84 glutamines. We confirmed that the model presented the main phenotypic and cytotoxic effects of the disease, such as protein aggregates and induction of cell death. We investigated three therapeutic strategies aiming cell death reduction in our in vitro model. The first, using a chemical chaperone (glycerol), was designed to stabilize the native protein and help protein folding. Lithium probably acts by modulating gene expression, and it was used in order to reverse the cytotoxic effects resulted from the disease, such as neuronal dysfunction and cell death. The third strategy focused on attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction via a mitochondrial cofactor and powerful antioxidant, coenzyme Q10. Glycerol, lithium and coenzyme Q10 increased the viability of cells expressing expanded ataxin-3 in 16%, 17% and 11%, respectively. This augmentation resulted from a decrease in cell population undergoing apoptosis. Currently, there are no effective treatments against MJD, hence the importance of studying compounds capable of reducing disease cytotoxic effects. This work established an in vitro model for MJD, well characterized, and easy to be manipulated and analyzed. This model can be further explored for therapeutic investigations and for better understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in disease pathology. Our results indicate that glycerol, lithium and coenzyme Q10 are good candidates for preventing cell death caused by expanded ataxin-3 and, therefore, further studies with these 3 compounds should be considered / Mestrado / Neurociencias / Mestre em Fisiopatologia Médica

Orientador: Elaine Minatel / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T10:31:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Burgos_RafaelRamosde_M.pdf: 2000317 bytes, checksum: 3ec9bdb6204407b72a6bd5378a5656ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Tratamentos com antioxidantes e bloqueadores de canais de cálcio têm apresentado resultados positivos na diminuição da mionecrose nas fibras musculares distróficas. O objetivo do presente projeto foi verificar se o tratamento com o bloqueador de cálcio Nifedipina (Ni) e o antioxidante Coenzima Q10 (CoQ10), administrados isoladamente ou em associação antes que se iniciem os ciclos de degeneração/regeneração muscular, pode apresentar efeito benéfico sobre as fibras musculares distróficas de camundongos mdx, modelo experimental da distrofia muscular de Duchenne. Camundongos mdx com 14 dias de vida pós-natal foram divididos em 4 grupos experimentais: (1) tratados com álcool 20% e solução aquosa 1% de Tween 80; (2) tratados com a associação de Ni e CoQ10; (3) tratados com Ni isoladamente; (4) e tratados com somente CoQ10. Camundongos da linhagem C57BL/10 foram usados como controle. Os músculos tibial anterior (TA), diafragma (DIA) e esternomastóideo (STN) foram retirados e utilizados para quantificar: (1) o número de fibras em degeneração, regeneradas e normais; (2) o nível de TNF-?, NF-?B e 4-HNE; (3) o conteúdo de cálcio total; e (4) a área de inflamação muscular. Amostras de sangue foram utilizadas para determinação dos níveis creatina quinase (CK). Os animais tratados com Ni apresentaram: redução significativa de fibras em degeneração no músculo TA, redução nos níveis de TNF-? em todos os músculos analisados e no conteúdo de NF-?B e cálcio no músculo DIA. Animais mdx tratados com Coenzima Q10 mostrou redução: CK, TNF-? no músculo TA, no conteúdo de NF-?B nos músculos DIA e STN, na área de inflamação no músculo DIA e determinação do cálcio nos músculos DIA e STN. A associação dos tratamentos demonstrou redução significativa na análise de CK, no TNF-? do músculo TA, na área de inflamação, conteúdo do NF-?B e cálcio no músculo DIA. O conjunto dos resultados sugere que a Ni e a CoQ10 possam ser potencialmente úteis para o tratamento farmacológico da distrofinopatias. Entretanto, estudos futuros da dosagem e do tempo de tratamento serão necessários para obtenção de efeitos benéficos mais significativos sobre os músculos distróficos / Abstract: Treatment using antioxidant and calcium channel blockers have shown positive results for myonecrosis decrease in dystrophic muscle fibers. The aim of this study is to verify if treatment with Nifedipine (Ni) calcium channel blocker and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) antioxidant, administered alone or in association before degeneration/regeneration cycles take place, may have a beneficial effect on dystrophic muscle fibers in mdx mice, which are the experimental model for Duchenne's dystrophy. Mdx mice at 14 days old were divided into 4 experimental groups: (1) treated with 20% alcohol and 1% Tween 80 water solution; (2) treated with an association of Ni and CoQ10; (3) treated with Ni alone; and (4) treated with CoQ10 alone. C57BL/10 mice were used as a control. The tibialis anterior (TA), diaphragm (DIA) and sternomastoid (STN) muscles were removed and used for quantification of: (1) number of degenerated, regenerated and wild-type fibers; (2) TNF-?, NF-?B and 4-HNE levels; (3) total amount of calcium; and (4) muscle inflammation area. Creatine kinase (CK) was analyzed from a blood sample. The animals treated with Ni showed: a significant decrease of degenerated muscle fibers in the TA muscle, a reduced TNF-? level in all muscles analyzed and lower levels of NF-?B and calcium in the DIA muscle. Mdx mice treated with Coenzyme Q10 presented a decrease of the following: CK expression, TNF-? level in the TA muscle, NF-?B level in the DIA and STN muscles, inflammation area in the DIA muscle and calcium content in the DIA and STN muscles. The association of both drugs showed a significant reduction of CK in the blood, TNF-? in the TA muscle, and also a reduction of the inflammation area, the NF-?B expression and the calcium content of the DIA muscle. Overall results suggest that Ni and CoQ10 may play a potential role as a pharmacological treatment for dystrophynopathies. However, further studies must be carried out for both dosage and treatment period to obtain more significant beneficial effects on dystrophic muscles / Mestrado / Anatomia / Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

L'ubiquinone, ou coenzyme Q, est une molécule lipophile polyisoprényle présente dans toutes les membranes biologiques chez les eucaryotes et composée d'un noyau aromatique actif de façon rédox et d'une chaîne grasse. Elle joue un rôle clef dans la chaîne respiratoire et est un important antioxydant membranaire. Chez l'homme, des pathologies sévères sont associées à des mutations de gènes de la biosynthèse de l'ubiquinone. Chez S. cerevisiæ, la biosynthèse de l'ubiquinone est réalisée par un complexe multiprotéique situé à la membrane interne mitochondriale. Certaines étapes de cette voie de biosynthèse ne sont pas encore connues et très peu ont été caractérisées in vitro. L'étude présentée ici a permis d'améliorer la compréhension de l'étape d'hydroxylation en C-5 à laquelle sont associés Coq6, monooxygénase à flavine, ainsi que Arh1 et Yah1, une adrénodoxine réductase et une adrénodoxine. Nous avons réalisé la première purification de Coq6 de S. cerevisiæ avec son cofacteur flavinique et nous avons démontré in vitro l'existence d'une chaîne de transfert d'électrons du NADPH au FAD de Coq6 via l'homologue humain de Arh1 et Yah1. Les études enzymatiques menées avec différents analogues de substrats synthétisés n'ont pas permis de détecter d'activité enzymatique de Coq6 dans les conditions utilisées. Des études préliminaires de fluorescence nous ont néanmoins permis d'avancer une hypothèse quant au substrat de Coq6, qui n'est pas connu avec certitude. Nous avons également réalisé une caractérisation cinétique de la réduction du FAD de l'homologue humain de Arh1 par le NADH et le NADPH, révélant ainsi son comportement particulier avec le NADPH, notamment en présence de Mg2+. / Coenzyme Q, or ubiquinone, is a lipophilic molecule found in all biological membranes in eukaryotes and composed of a redox active aromatic ring and a polyisoprenyl chain. It is a key electron carrier in the respiratory chain and a very important membrane soluble antioxidant. Severe pathologies in humans are associated with mutations in the ubiquinone biosynthesis genes. In S. cerevisiæ, ubiquinone biosynthesis is done by a multiproteic complex at the inner mitochondrial membrane. Some steps of the ubiquinone biosynthesis are still unknown and very few have been characterized in vitro. This study allowed us to better understand the C-5 hydroxylation step that is associated with Coq6, a flavin monooxygenase, Arh1, an adrenodoxin reductase and Yah1, an adrenodoxin. We achieved the first purification of S. cerevisiæ Coq6 with its flavin cofactor and we demonstrated in vitro the existence of an electron transfer chain from NADPH to Coq6 FAD via Arh1 human homologue and Yah1. Enzymatic studies made with several synthetic substrate analogues did not allow us to detect Coq6 enzymatic activity with the tested conditions. Nevertheless, preliminary fluorescence studies led us to make an assumption about Coq6 substrate which is still not well known. We also carried out a kinetic characterization of the NADPH or NADH reduction of Arh1 human homologue, showing its unusual behavior with NADPH, in particular when Mg2+ is present.

Abstract Human mitochondria contain a circular genome called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). It encodes subunits of the respiratory chain enzymes involved in energy conservation in oxidative phosphorylation and the necessary RNA needed for their expression. Errors in these genes have been shown to cause diseases, called mitochondrial diseases, which mainly affect tissues with high energy-demand, such as brain, heart, and skeletal muscle, or to lead to the production of harmful by-products in the form of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cellular respiration. ROS damage lipids, proteins, and DNA, especially mtDNA. Accumulation of mtDNA mutations has also been associated with aging. Mitochondrial complex I is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane and catalyzes NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreduction coupled to the translocation of four protons from the inside of the mitochondrion to the intermembranous space. Bacteria contain a homologous but simpler enzyme, NDH-1, with the same catalytic mechanism and which is therefore considered the catalytical core of mitochondrial complex I. Seven of the conserved membranous subunits in complex I are encoded in the mtDNA and are targets for mutations causing mitochondrial diseases, like MELAS syndrome or Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). We used Paracoccus denitrificans and Escherichia coli NDH-1 enzymes to reveal the role of selected conserved charged residues and MELAS or LHON amino acid substitutions in enzyme catalysis. The growth phenotypes and NDH-1-dependent activities in mutant bacterial membranes were characterized, in addition to the sensitivity to selected complex I inhibitors. In order to enable ROS production measurements in the bacterial model of human mitochondrial diseases, we evaluated the reliability of two superoxide detecting probes, lucigenin and coelenterazine. Elimination of the acidic residue in ND1 (position E228) previously found to cause MELAS, was found detrimental for NDH-1 assembly and activity. Also, elimination of the acidic residue at position E36 in ND4L resulted in an inactive enzyme. ND1-E216A, ND4L-E72Q and -E36Q/I39D/A69D/E72Q substitutions decreased NDH-1 activity somewhat (normal activity in the last mutant), but displayed a negative growth phenotype under NDH-1 dependent conditions, suggestive of impaired energy conservation in these mutants. ND1-Y229, whose substitution causes MELAS, charged residues in loop five of ND1, and ND1-E157, whose substitution causes LHON, were also found important for the enzyme activity. Coelenterazine was found a reliable probe for quantitative superoxide production measurement in mitochondrial or bacterial membranes, and its sensitivity is not affected by the reduction level of the respiratory chain. Therefore, coelenterazine is suitable for quantitative superoxide production measurements.

Coq6 est une enzyme impliquée dans la biosynthèse du coenzyme Q (aussi nommé ubiquinone, ou Q), un lipide benzoquinone polyprenylé essentiel à la fonction de la chaîne respiratoire mitochondriale. Dans la levure Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cette monooxygénase flavine-dépendante putatif est proposé pour hydroxyler le noyau benzénique d' un précurseur du coenzyme Q à la position C5. Nous montrons ici à travers des études biochimiques que Coq6 est une flavoprotéine utilisant le FAD comme cofacteur. Des modèles d'homologie du complexe Coq6-FAD ont étés réalisés et étudiés par dynamique moléculaire et arrimage moléculaire du 3-hexaprenyl-4-hydroxyphényl (4-HP6), un substrat modèle hydrophobe et volumineux. Nous identifions un canal d'accès putatif pour Coq6 dans un modèle de la forme sauvage et proposons des mutations in silico positionnés à l'entrée capable de partiellement (les mutations simples G248R et L382E) ou complètement (une double-mutation G248R-L382E) bloquer l'accès du substrat au site actif via le canal d' accès. Des essais in vivo soutiennent les prédictions in silico, qui expliquent l'abrogation ou la diminution des enzymes mutées. Ce travail fournit la première information structurale détaillée d'une enzyme importante et hautement conservée de biosynthèse de l'ubiquinone. / Coq6 is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q, a polyisoprenylated benzoquinone lipid essential to the function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this putative flavin-dependent monooxygenase is proposed to hydroxylate the benzene ring of coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) precursor at position C5. We show here through biochemical studies that Coq6 is a flavoprotein using FAD as a cofactor. Homology models of the Coq6-FAD complex are constructed and studied through molecular dynamics and substrate docking calculations of 3-hexaprenyl-4-hydroxyphenol (4-HP6), a bulky hydrophobic model substrate. We identify a putative access channel for Coq6 in a wild type model and propose in silico mutations positioned at its entrance capable of partially (G248R and L382E single mutations) or completely (a G248R-L382E double-mutation) blocking access of the substrate to thechannel . Further in vivo assays support the computational predictions, thus explaining the decreased activities or inactivation of the mutated enzymes. This work provides the first detailed structural information of an important and highly conserved enzyme of ubiquinone biosynthesis.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第20418号 / 農博第2203号 / 新制||農||1047(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H29||N5039(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 三芳 秀人, 教授 宮川 恒, 教授 森 直樹 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

No description available.

L'étude des membranes biologiques nécessite l'examen des différentes propriétés de ses composantes principales: les lipides et les protéines. Dans ce manuscrit, l'interaction lipide- lipide et lipide-protéine ont été suivies par spectroscopie vibrationnelle (Raman, Infrarouge). Nous sommes intéressés en premier lieu à l'étude de la structure et l'organisation des phospholipides dans leur phase gel et leur phase cristalline liquide en utilisant la spectroscopie moyen infrarouge. En outre, l'effet de la composition du groupement hydrophiles des lipides sur le comportement de la liaison hydrogène des mélanges lipidiques a été sondé en utilisant la spectroscopie lointain infrarouge. Dans la seconde partie, l'interaction de la protéine NADH ubiquinone oxydoréductase et du mutant NuoL (D563N) avec le zinc ont été étudiés par spectroscopie différentielle et les changements conformationnels induits par la liaison du zinc avec les protéines ont été examinés. Enfin, les vibrations métal-ligand des groupements fer-soufre dans le mutant de NuoB (C64A G100C) à différents pH ont été analysées par spectroscopie Raman. / The study of biological membranes involves the examination of the different properties of its main components: as lipids and proteins. In this manuscript, the lipid-lipid interaction and the lipid-protein interaction were monitored by vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and Infrared). We have been interested in the first part in studying the structure and organization of phospholipids in the gel phase and the liquid crystalline phase using mid infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the effect of the head group composition on the hydrogen bonding behaviour of lipid mixtures was probed using far infrared spectroscopy. In the second part, the interaction of the NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase protein and NuoL mutant (D563N) with zinc was investigated through FTIR difference spectroscopy where the conformational changes upon zinc binding were monitored. Finally, the metal-ligand vibrations of the iron- sulfur clusters in NuoB mutants (C64A G100C) at different pH were analysed using Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is one of the largest enzymes in mammals. Seven (ND1-ND6 and ND4L) of its 45 subunits are encoded in mitochondrial DNA, mutations of which are usually behind mitochondrial diseases such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and MELAS-syndrome. The rest of the genes are located in the nucleus. Bacterial homologs of complex I (NDH-1) consist of only 13–14 subunits, comprising the catalytic core of the enzyme. These complexes are simpler but perform a similar function. Escherichia coli NDH-1 was employed here to generate amino acid replacements at conserved sites in NuoH, NuoJ and NuoK, counterparts of ND1, ND6 and ND4L, to elucidate their role in complex I. Consequences of homologous amino acid substitutions brought about by ND1-affecting LHON/MELAS-overlap syndrome-associated m.3376G>A and m.3865A>G mutations and the ND6-affecting m.14498T>C substitution associated with LHON were also studied to validate their pathogenicity. Effects of the site-directed mutations were evaluated on the basis of enzyme activity, inhibitor sensitivity and growth phenotype. Highly conserved glutamate-residues 36 and 72 within transmembrane helices of NuoK in positions similar to proton translocating transmembrane proteins were found essential for electron transfer to ubiquinone and growth on medium necessitating normal proton transfer by NDH-1. NuoH and NuoJ replacements at sites corresponding to targets of m.3376G>A and m.14498T>C decreased ubiquinone reductase activity and altered the ubiquinone binding site, while the counterpart of m.3865A>G was without a major effect. Other NuoH and NuoJ mutations studied also affected the interactions of ubiquinone and inhibitors with NDH-1. The results corroborate the pathogenicity of the m.14498T>C and m.3376G>A mutations and demonstrate that the overlap syndrome-associated modification affects complex I in a pattern which appears to combine the effects of separate mutations responsible for LHON and MELAS. Change in ubiquinone binding affinity is a likely pathomechanism of all LHON-associated mutations. Effects of the NuoH, NuoJ and NuoK subunit substitutions also indicate that ND1 and ND6 subunits contribute to the ubiquinone-interacting site of complex I and the site is located in the vicinity of the membrane surface, while ND4L is likely involved in proton pumping activity of the enzyme. / Tiivistelmä 45 alayksiköstä muodostuva NADH-ubikinoni oksidoreduktaasi (kompleksi I) on nisäkkäiden suurimpia entsyymejä. Sen mitokondriaalisessa DNA:ssa koodattujen alayksiköiden ND1-ND6 ja ND4L geeneihin liittyvät mutaatiot ovat yleisiä mitokondriosairauksien, kuten Leberin perinnöllisen näköhermoatrofian (LHON) ja MELAS-oireyhtymän, syitä. Bakteerien vastaava entsyymi (NDH-1) koostuu vain 13–14 alayksiköstä. Tästä huolimatta sen katalysoima reaktio on samankaltainen kuin kompleksi I:n. NDH-1:n katsotaankin edustavan entsyymin katalyyttistä ydintä. Tässä työssä tutkittiin ND1, ND6 ja ND4L alayksiköiden tehtävää kompleksi I:ssä niiden Escherichia coli bakteerissa olevien vastineiden (NuoH, NuoJ ja NuoK) kohdennetun mutageneesin avulla. Samaa lähestymistapaa käytettiin LHON/MELAS-oireyhtymässä todettujen ND1 alayksikön mutaatioiden, m.3376G>A ja m.3865A>G, ja LHON:ssa havaitun ND6:n m.14498T>C mutaation aiheuttamien aminohappomuutosten seurauksien selvittämiseen. Tehtyjen mutaatioiden vaikutuksia arvioitiin entsyymiaktiivisuus-mittauksin ja kasvukokein. NuoK:n solukalvon läpäisevissä rakenteissa olevien kahden glutamaatti-aminohappotähteen sijainti muistuttaa protoneita kalvon läpi kuljettavissa proteiineissa todettua. NuoK:n glutamaattien havaittiinkin olevan tärkeitä elektronien ja protonien kuljetukselle kompleksi I:ssä. m.3376G>A ja m.14498T>C mutaatioiden aiheuttamien aminohappomuutosten vastineet NDH-1:ssä alensivat NDH-1:n elektroninsiirtoaktiivisuutta ja heikensivät ubikinonin sitoutumista, kun taas m.3865A>G mutaatiolla ei ollut vaikutusta. Muut NuoH ja NuoJ alayksiköihin tehdyt aminohappovaihdokset johtivat huonontuneeseen ubikinonin ja kompleksi I:n inhibiittoreiden sitoutumiseen. Saadut tulokset vahvistavat m.3376G>A ja m.14498T>C mutaatioiden patogeenisyyden. Ne myös osoittavat, että LHON/MELAS-oireyhtymään liitetyn mutaation biokemiallisissa vaikutuksissa yhdistyvät sekä LHON:ssa että MELAS-oireyhtymässä todettujen mutaatioiden seuraukset. Esitetyt tulokset tukevat näkemystä siitä, että ubikinonin ja kompleksi I:n välisessä vuorovaikutuksessa tapahtuva muutos on kaikille LHON:aan liitetyille mutaatioille yhteinen vaikutusmekanismi. NuoH:n, NuoJ:n ja NuoK:n kohdennetusta mutageneesista saatujen tulosten perusteella ND1 ja ND6 alayksiköt ovat osa ubikinonin sitoutumispaikkaa entsyymikompleksissa, kun taas ND4L osallistuu protoninkuljetukseen.

Les lésions du Système Nerveux Central, qu'elles soient accidentelles ou liées à une maladie, sont à l'origine de dégâts irréversibles. En effet, suite à la section des axones, il s'en suit un processus de cicatrisation. Cette « cicatrice gliale » constitue une barrière physique et chimique sollicitant de nombreux acteurs cellulaires et moléculaires. Les principales cellules la constituant sont les astrocytes, les oligodendrocytes, les microgliocytes et les fibroblastes. Ces cellules surexpriment les protéines de myéline et la sémaphorine 3A (Sema3A), des agents très inhibiteurs de la régénération nerveuse et de la croissance axonale. Par ailleurs, l'hyperactivité des microgliocytes est à l'origine de l'augmentation considérable de la quantité de radicaux libres oxygénés néfastes pour les neurones.<br />Une approche thérapeutique novatrice serait l'utilisation de composés hybrides portant deux activités distinctes. Une activité neurotrophique permettant la neuro-régénération et une activité antioxydante assurant la neuro-protection en piégeant les radicaux libres.<br />Dans cet objectif, cinq séries de molécules hybrides combinant une chaîne grasse Ω-hydroxylée et des noyaux quinol ont été synthétisés. Les alcools gras quinoliques (QFA) C-alkylés, comportant des noyaux quinol polyméthoxylés, ont été obtenu par couplage de Sonogashira entre des arylbromures et des alcynes vrais. Les homologues N- ou O-alkylés ont été obtenus par des réactions de type SN2.<br />Les molécules synthétisés possèdent de très bonnes activités antioxydantes sous leurs formes déméthylés dépassant d'un facteur 100 l'activité antioxydante du Trolox®. Par ailleurs, le QFA15 portant une chaîne latérale à 15 atomes de carbones, est capable de promouvoir une croissance axonale très importante, aussi bien sur substrat permissif que sur substrat inhibiteur tel les protéines de myéline ou la Sema3A. Des études préliminaires du mécanisme d'action ont permis de conclure que le QFA15 sollicite les nucléotides cycliques.